Future Ready: Education for a Changing Landscape

Delta Academies Trust’s annual conference returned for its ninth year this October, bringing together leaders, directors and trustees from across the Trust to share innovation, celebrate success and explore how Delta continues to shape the future of education.

Held over two days at The Milner in York, the 2025 conference carried the theme Future Ready: Education for a Changing Landscape. The event marked a significant milestone as it was the first conference led by Andy Barnett in his role as Chief Executive Officer.

Opening the conference, Steve Hodsman, Chair of the Board of Directors, reflected on a year of change and achievement for Delta. He welcomed the Coast and Vale schools into the Trust and praised the collective commitment of staff across all academies.

Andy Barnett followed with an overview of the Trust’s progress and impact across the education sector, highlighting how Delta’s focus on outcomes, financial efficiency and student opportunity continues to deliver exceptional results.

Andy also outlined Delta’s ambition to extend excellence beyond core academic subjects, with a renewed focus on unlocking potential in sport and the arts alongside the Trust’s strong STEM provision.

The conference’s first keynote speaker, Damian Collins OBE, former Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, delivered a powerful talk on the evolving role of technology and artificial intelligence in education. He explored how social media algorithms shape young people’s experiences online and the importance of robust online safety policies.

Collins encourages schools to teach pupils how to think critically about AI-generated content, urging educators to empower students to recognise bias and misinformation.

Julian Harrison, Executive Principal at Delta, shared the Trust’s new Climate and Sustainability Strategy; a blueprint for reducing environmental impact across all academies. The strategy, supported by a newly established Environmental Board, includes a Net Zero commitment and plans for every academy to transition to 100% LED lighting by Easter 2026.

Ash Hill Academy was celebrated as Delta’s first Net Carbon Zero building, with plans underway to expand green roofs, install EV charging points at academies, and increase renewable energy generation across the Trust.

Leadership development remains a cornerstone of Delta’s success. Chris McCall, Executive Principal (Secondary), and Kate Rowley, Senior Executive Principal (Primary), led a session on Delta’s Leadership Pathways, which supports aspiring leaders across all phases.

They discussed how collaboration between primary and secondary leaders is fostering consistency and ambition across the Trust. Leaders change the culture of a school, and that culture transforms outcomes for children. Delta remains passionate about developing staff into inspiring leaders.

In an inspiring showcase of student achievement, three pupils from Scarborough UTC presented their journey in the global STEM Racing competition – where their team achieved third place worldwide and is the highest ranking team among government-funded schools. Their success demonstrated how practical, hands-on learning can transform lives and open doors to future careers. One student announced the opportunity to join a STEM racing team as part of college enrichment has secured him a degree apprenticeship with Rolls Royce.

The conference also featured uplifting stories from across Delta’s academies, including Dirk Pittard, Principal of St Wilfrid’s Academy, sharing their national recognition as Alternative Provision of the Year.

One of the event’s highlights was hearing from Teddy, a pupil at Morley Place Academy and recipient of the Heart of Doncaster Award. Teddy, who competes in the Junior Karting Championship, spoke about his passion for helping others and how funding from the Delta Academies Charitable Trust has supported his journey. His story exemplified Delta’s core values of confidence, resilience, hard work and kindness.

Steven Baker OBE, CEO of The People’s Learning Trust, emphasised that experiences matter more than things and that a sense of purpose often motivates more than money. He spoke about the central role of emotional connection in learning, asserting that progress and outcomes rise when students feel understood and supported.

Baker explored how long-term toxic stress and trauma affect young people’s brains and behaviour, and he urged leaders to rethink ‘punishment’ – particularly in Pupil Referral Units – focusing instead on high expectations paired with systems that prioritise relationships and psychological need.

Katrina Gueli, HMI for maintained schools and academies, outlined the renewed Ofsted inspection framework and what schools should expect. Gueli stressed that inspections should “look and feel different,” with a greater emphasis on celebrating strengths and adopting a collaborative approach with leaders. Inspectors are encouraged to be mindful of school size and context, promoting inclusion and local leadership because “it’s about knowing your children”.

David Pitchfork, Senior Finance Manager and Director of the Delta Academies Charitable Trust, shared updates on the charity’s impact and ambitions for the year ahead.

Over the past year, the charity has supported a range of grants and projects that have made a tangible difference to pupils’ lives – funding opportunities like Teddy’s karting success.

David encouraged leaders to continue championing the charity in their academies, creating more fundraising opportunities to help pupils achieve their dreams.

This charity is unique to Delta, dedicated exclusively to supporting children within the Trust’s academies.

As the conference drew to a close, staff left inspired and energised by the stories, insights and shared purpose that united the two days.

Across every session, a clear message emerged: Delta is a Trust that looks forward; one that embraces innovation, champions inclusion and empowers young people to thrive in a rapidly changing world.