ARC Chair Update - November 2025

The ARC community continues to grow, develop and influence.

The annual conference, which was adjusted to support delegates to have more opportunities to network and share good practice, was exceptionally vibrant and inspirational. On behalf of ARC, I thank all delegates who ensured that the sell-out audience were able to take on the ‘Chairs Challenges’ back to their settings and roles.

I would like to acknowledge our ARC Timpson Award winners who were recognised and presented with their trophies at the event. It is always a privilege to be invited into our amazing schools, to shine a spotlight on their inclusive practices and how they use strong relational practices to support the individuals across their learning community. Well done to not only the winners, but also the shortlisted schools and all those that were nominated regionally.

ARC continue to be active nationally within and across groups and events. More specifically, this month there have been meetings with Lord James Timpson to discuss relational approaches across and prior to the custodial system. There has been representation with the SEND review led by Dame Chritine Leneham both at a personal level and as part of a SEMH Roundtable hosted by the Dfe. The APPG Inclusion gathering at Westminster promoted by Arti Sharma and Nurture UK brough a number of partners together to continue this collaborative approach.

In addition to this, ARC has been central to conferences organised by UCET in Leeds, and the Catholic Schools CEO Conference in Worcester. Two different events, one consistent message of placing relational approaches at the centre of work for our children and young people.

One further event really brings the focus back to individual children and young people. The Sanctuary Foundation held their ‘No Place Like Home’ Arts & poetry celebration event at the House Of Lords. This was hosted by Lord Rees, and presented very inclusively by Dr Krish Kandiah OBE and really highlighted and celebrated the power of the Arts. This was a strong point of reflection at a time of the curriculum review where there is more freedom to reinstate Arts & Sport more strongly within the learning of all children, enhancing emotional well-being, self-worth, belonging and the potential of extending employability and life-skills.

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