How often do we talk about the ‘pupil premium’ or ‘free school meals’ in schools? Too much, I think.
Poverty is more complex than this. It is messy, deep-rooted, and local. It affects learning, wellbeing, and life chances in ways that are invisible on spreadsheets, but very real in the classroom. Pupil premium and free school meals are just one small component of making sense of these complexities.
If you are a school leader or educator, you probably already know this.
You have seen how the cost-of-living crisis, housing insecurity, and local inequalities shape the day-to-day experiences of pupils and their families. And you probably know that quick fixes or silver bullets simply don’t exist.
That is why this the forthcoming Education Conferences UK seminar is not about labels. It will be about understanding communities, tackling inequality, and taking practical action. Together, we will explore:
- The complexity of poverty in your area: Beyond national statistics, what does disadvantage look like in your school and community?
- Place-based approaches that work: How to map local needs, spot hidden barriers, and tailor solutions that fit your context.
- Partnerships that matter: Collaborating with families, community organisations, and local businesses to co-create solutions, because schools cannot do it alone.
- Turning insight into action: Generating sustainable interventions, programmes, and income streams that genuinely improve children’s outcomes.
- Moving beyond the data: Understanding the lived experiences behind the numbers, so that strategies are meaningful, not just performative.
I won’t be offering lots of theory in my seminar. There are plenty of other opportunities for that in other contexts. This seminar will be practical, actionable, and grounded in real experience. We will share examples from schools already making progress in tackling disadvantage and discuss what can be adapted to your setting.
For those wanting to go even deeper, our co-authored book, Tackling Poverty and Disadvantage in Schools, provides a detailed, evidence-informed resource. It includes research summaries, case studies, and reflection exercises designed for busy educators and by those working in or alongside the sector. Like the book, the seminar will be interactive, dynamic, and immediately applicable, but also giving you the chance to ask questions, discuss challenges, and leave with concrete strategies.
Why this matters
Inequality will not wait.
Schools are at the frontline, but they are not islands.
To make a real difference, we need curiosity, forensic insight, and collaboration. School leaders, educators and policy makers need to understand the systems that make life harder for children and families, and work together to change them.
If you want to move beyond labels, deepen your understanding of local poverty, and discover practical, place-based strategies, then the Pupil Premium Strategy Conference: Closing Stubborn Attainment Gaps Conference is for you.
Sign up, bring your questions, and be ready to leave with tools you can use the very next day. Delegates will also have access to additional resources and a recording for 3 months.
Author:
Sean Harris (FCCT) Director of PLACE (People, Learning and Community Engagement) and That Poverty Guy
Sean is a distinguished author and freelance journalist whose lens spans education, inequalities, research and other topics. As a regular contributor to SecEd and Headteacher Update his insightful analysis shapes discourse on leadership, teacher education, and educational inequality.
A sought-after keynote speaker, Sean’s thought leadership has made impacts on policy and practice. His collaboration with major media outlets, including BBC Look North, Sky News, BBC Radio, Financial Times, The Guardian, TES, Heart Breakfast, and ITV, demonstrates his role as a trusted voice in education., Sean is a prominent presence on both UK and global podcasts, where he continues to challenge inequalities and advocate for meaningful change in education.
Find out more about the Pupil Premium Strategy Conference: Closing Stubborn Attainment Gaps here.
