Breaking barriers and building the future: Harris Federation Conference 2023

At the Harris Federation, we recently hosted our annual staff conference, bringing together 5,000 dedicated staff members from across our academies. The event served as an opportunity for training, collaboration, celebration, and reflection.

The theme of the day was "Breaking Barriers: Building the Future" defining our unwavering commitment to fostering social mobility and empowering young people throughout London and the surrounding areas.

We now educate 44,000 students across 54 academies, spanning 15 diverse boroughs, contributing significantly to London's educational landscape. However, it is not just our scale but our commitment to addressing external economic and societal challenges that truly sets us apart. We're never complacent; instead, our mission is to break down the barriers of inequality and provide every student with the tools to unlock their full potential.

The conference was hosted by two of our students, Kalash Kharel and Sally Owolabi. Their involvement as comperes underscores our belief in the leadership potential of our young people, and they rose to the challenge brilliantly, keeping everyone entertained. 

We celebrated the exceptional talents that flourish within our Federation with incredible performances from Harris in Harmony, our cross-Federation choir, and our new Harris Federation Concert Orchestra, featuring 120 musicians from across our academies.

There was a lot of focus on CPD, as we hosted over 70 workshops for staff, covering a broad range of topics, ensuring our colleagues have the latest knowledge and expertise to continue breaking barriers and building a brighter future for our students. 

The conference was wrapped up with the Harris Transforming Lives Awards, recognising and celebrating staff who have demonstrated excellence over the past year. Huge congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to all of our staff for how much they give to their roles, driving our mission of transforming lives through education.

Overall, the conference was a testament to our commitment to breaking barriers for students across London. With a celebration of achievements, a diverse array of workshops, and captivating performances, the conference embodied the heart of excellence and innovation that defines the Harris Federation. The commitment to making a profound impact on the lives of thousands of students is unmistakable and we are on an unrelenting path to a more equitable and empowered future for all.