Matt Burton, star of the Channel 4 documentary, Educating Yorkshire, has been announced as a keynote speaker at this year’s professional learning conference held at the Telford International Centre on Monday 25th February 2019.
Matt Burton, now Headteacher of Thornhill Academy, lives by his two important fundamental rules; work hard and be nice. Matt was responsible for one of the standout moments in the history of the ‘Educating’ series’ with his relationship with Year 11 student Musharaf Asghar. Musharaf was a bright, engaging boy who struggled with an acute stammer. His impeding English GCSE required him to recite a poem, an ordeal which seemed impossible until the intervention of Mr. Burton. Inspired by the King’s Speech, the teacher hit upon the idea of making Musharaf listen to some music to help his delivery. The tactic worked and in highly-emotional charged scenes, Musharaf read Margaret Atwood’s poem ‘The Moment’ almost without a hitch.
As well as Matt Burton attending, former Crystal Palace, Arsenal and England striker and current Match of the Day pundit, Ian Wright and Neuroscientist Paul Howard-Jones will both be in attendance at the conference.
Sarah Longville, CEO of The Marches Academy Trust, said, “Now in its fourth year, we are incredibly lucky to be able to continue stimulating our school colleagues on a national level with speakers including Matt Burton, Ian Wright and Professor Paul Howard-Jones. The principle aim of the event is to see schools working collaboratively towards a shared vision and enhancing our education system”.
The event is open to everyone working in primary, secondary and further education and promises to be a thought-provoking day. For further information or to purchase tickets please contact 01691 664452 or visit http://leadinglearning.co.uk/professional-learning-conference/