With the end of term in sight, we thought we would squeeze in a final July UPDATE for you - and it is a newsy one to end this school year. 

Musing on our recent Summer Conference (and you can read the A Master Class in being a Good Egg! write-up), Executive Director Martin Smith reflects on the overarching themes of inclusion and belonging: "at the heart of what we are as schools and at the heart of how we train and develop ourselves through professional development."  

Martin ends by encouraging all teachers, leaders and colleagues to take a moment to reflect on the huge contribution everyone makes to the lives of children and young people. "We know our profession has challenges ahead of us and some will move on and some will persist. But what is an ever constant is the commitment of everyone in education to do the very best job."
 
Looking to the Autumn Term and being super organised, the Whole School SEND (WSS) Conference is on Thursday 19 November 2026 at Sandy Park in Exeter on the theme of “A Sense of Belonging still Matters.” 
You can help now as the WSS Team are inviting schools across the South West region to share what “Belonging and Mattering” looks and feels like. 

With the appropriate consent, send the Team examples of pupil voice on how they feel valued and included in your School / Trust community. For example, photos, artwork, displays, projects, short video clips, participation in clubs, enrichment activities, pupil testimonials. Keeping you informed, there are SEND updates and guidance later in the newsletter. 

A week and a day before the early bird offer closes on Friday 17 July 2026, remember to register your School / Trust / Federation for SWIFT CPD and Membership for 2026 - 2027. If you do the sums, it makes sense. Find out more and register here 

This month we take a nostalgic view of ALL the UPDATE interviews - starting in April 2022 with Martin Lewis, our launch interviewee and still a SWIFT stalwart. It is worth a look back!

Devon Research School (DRS) shares a post by Hannah Claydon, Deputy Director of Devon Research School, Raising Standards Lead for Year 7 and Teacher of Science at Kingsbridge Community College on embedding Maths skills in the Science classroom.

HOT OFF THE PRESS - you can read the South-West Social Mobility Commission Annual Report on Place Matters . Published yesterday, rather than the North - South divide, the startling headline shows London outperforming every other region on many key measures for pupils eligible for free school meals, whilst the South West remains one of England's weakest-performing regions.

Thinking hot, with soaring temperatures now a constant our sponsor, SchoolPro Safety provides some excellent cooling practical guidance on managing overheating classrooms. Contact the Team here

We join our sponsor Exeter Supply Partnership in celebrating their 10th birthday of providing nursery and primary supply needs and wish them another successful decade! Contact the ESP Team here

Ending the school year with a celebratory look back in pictures, our school catering sponsor Educatering shares some pictures from Christmas to Easter, Chinese New Year and Eid. You can contact the Team to discuss catering for your School and Trust here 
 
That's all folks! When you have a moment to stop, we hope that you will find something of interest in this issue that will add value to your day.

A week tomorrow I will be signing-off from my role as Editor of UPDATE and I would like to extend my very best thoughts to you all for the end of term (and the onwards). I know from my own experience of working in a school for many years the meaning of “being busy” in ending one year and preparing for the next. Such is the cycle of education.

By Jude Baylis, SWIFT Executive Assistant 

May Day has passed and we hope that you enjoyed the Bank Holiday, but today is UPDATE May Day and we are pleased to bring you the latest news.

As Executive Director Martin Smith reflects in his introduction: 
"This May issue brilliantly exemplifies what a mature school-led system looks like...The many high-quality articles bring together expertise from individual schools, Multi Academy Trusts, education partners and the National Institute of Teaching." 

With partnership at the heart of our SWIFT work, Martin will soon be engaging with stakeholders on the partnership with our Teaching School Hub colleagues, OneCornwall to develop and widen the scope across the region. 

Read up on the recent National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) Teacher Educator Development Day led by Kyle Bailey, NPQ Lead for the South and West at NIoT and Birmingham South Teaching School Hub. The aims of the day were to strengthen the professional skills and expertise of teacher educators, engage critically with research and apply it to inform and enhance practice and build, sustain and deepen relationships between local colleagues. 

You can also catch up on some important Golden Thread programme updates to keep you informed.

If you are contemplating a smartphone-free environment in your School or Trust, Kingsbridge Community College's Principal, Tina Graham shares their journey and tips that developed as part of their wider commitment to student wellbeing, focus, and positive development. 

This month's interview is with Anthony Lees, Deputy Head of School for Marpool Primary School & EdTech Lead for the Cornerstone Academy Trust. A self-confessed tech nerd, Ant is well-placed to provide an insight into this rapidly growing area within our professional and personal lives. You read it here in UPDATE!

Devon Research School (DRS) shares a post on being one step ahead when it comes to Adaptive Teaching from fellow Cornwall Research School. As you would expect this is insightful, intentional and evidence-based and will add meaning to your practice. 

On that note, the Region's RISE Team invites you to attend the Boolean and London South West Maths Hubs’ Mainstream Inclusion Conference on Primary Maths coming up on Thursday 4 June 2026. Book here

From September, schools across England will be expected to take a more structured approach to allergy management and our sponsor SchoolPro TLC provides guidance on how to prepare.  As former school leaders, teachers and incumbent Governors, they are caring and knowledgeable. Contact the Team here

Nursery and Primary school cover service Exeter Supply Partnership are celebrating their tenth anniversary - and we commend their first decade dedicated to providing "reliable, experienced supply staff, and above all, offering an ethical, not‑for‑profit alternative that puts schools, educators and pupils first."  Contact here
 
As we have come to expect , Educatering our school catering sponsor are showcasing yet more of their delicious and nutritious food. See more pictures to feast on! If you are not yet part of the Educatering Schools Revolution contact the Team here 

Remember to book your place at the 2026 Summer Conference on Thursday 18 June 2026 at Exeter Racecourse. Five school weeks today! Designed to be relevant and memorable with presentations on: AI and Assessment, Equity, Wellbeing and Leadership, Care and Culture, Disadvantaged High Attainers, Masculinities in Schools and more. Network with like-minded colleagues and enjoy some lovely food from Goosemoor Educatering.

In the spirit of true and lasting partnership, we hope you relish a dip in this issue.
With all best wishes from the SWIFT Central Team - and a happy and rewarding onwards.