National Conference 2017 report – Illuminating Learning

Welcome to the official SSAT National Conference 2017 report which looks back at the fantastic two days we had illuminating learning in Manchester. In these interactive pages, you will find key insights from many of the speakers at the conference including Katrina Morley, Helena Marsh, Diana Osagie, Dame Alison Peacock, Professor Paul Kirschner, Dr Ashok Jansari, Dr Alma Harris, Matt Hood, and Mark Emmerson.

Our student journalists sum up and reflect on both main stage speakers and school-led workshops. They share what illuminating learning now means to them:
‘It is not about grades on a test paper but rather helping students to achieve their greatest in what they do, no matter the grade on their test. It means helping students thrive with help and supporting their well-being not only in school but at home also. Illuminating learning teaches more than the curriculum and includes teaching lifelong skills for every student to develop with help from teachers.’

‘Experimenting with new techniques to allow students to add to teachers’ and peers’ experiences with their own. At the conference, I discovered more about the teachers’ point of view: how they need to challenge themselves and each other before they can challenge their students. The different ways teachers can help specific students and examples of when teachers have changed students’ lives by believing in them and advising them to reach their optimum potential. How different schools cope with the range of students and their varied educational needs. How teachers can have such a large impact on our lives just in those key first years of our education.’