EPM Thought Leaders Series: Planning for tomorrow - Sustainable strategies for school place management
LOCATION Virtually through Microsoft Teams
RECOMMENDED FOR Trust CEOs, CFOs, HR Directors, School Headteachers and Business Managers.
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Sustainable strategies for school place management
Expertly chaired by our CEO Jen Elliott and Blue Apple Director Mark Davis, this session will explore approaches to school place planning, covering a wide range of key topics from increasing pupil numbers through effective attraction strategies, to understanding the complexities of admission policies and legal requirements.
We will discuss the challenges faced by schools with falling rolls, examining strategies to maintain financial stability, adjust team structures and manage resources effectively. Our expert panel will offer valuable insights into developing flexible, long-term strategies that balance student population with resource optimisation.
We’ll be asking attendees to share ways in which they’ve maximised budget, discuss effective initiatives and ways in which they’ve supported their teams whilst ensuring the best provision possible.
Join our panel to discuss your experiences, ideas, and solutions.
We'll be discussing:
- Managing surplus places and diversifying provision
- Strategies to maintain financial stability with reduced funding
- Staffing and workforce management
- Managing admissions policies in response to fluctuations
- Maximising school viability and attraction. Developing a strong school identity and USP.
Why attend?
- Gain insights: Hear from sector colleagues about the growing challenges and how they impact schools financially and operationally.
- Collaborate: Engage in meaningful discussions with peers about overcoming barriers.
- Innovate: Discover new ideas and best practices for managing key challenges successfully.
Chaired by EPM, with unput from sector experts, these panel discussions offer a unique opportunity for you to air your challenges, share your experiences, discuss ideas and ask questions in a supportive and open forum.
We recognise that many senior leaders often experience a sense of isolation. With a limited number of peers to turn to for advice, feedback, or even reassurance, it can be challenging to feel confident that you're on the right path.
But we know that there is a wealth of expertise out there: creative and strategic thought leaders who are finding innovative strategies to deal with the challenges faced by the sector.
These sessions provide a safe sounding board and an opportunity to discuss topical issues and challenges, share solutions or simply listen in and pick up ideas to take back to your schools and trusts.
Whether you're a seasoned leader with ideas to share or someone looking to gain actionable insights and fresh ideas, these sessions are designed with you in mind.
Meet your host and panel
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Your Host
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Having joined the company in 1995 and worked her way up through the business, Jen was appointed CEO in 2017. Jen brings considerable experience of working within the education sector, having worked with some of the UK’s largest MATs. She has supported academy leaders and CEOs with complex staffing issues and worked with the DfE on some of the first MAT conversion projects.
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Your Host
Rachel has almost 30 years' experience in the education sector, providing strategic advice and guidance to support all aspects of complex decision-making in schools and trusts.
She has been the National Leader of Governance, led the conversion process for over 100 schools, supported the development of MATs across the country and delivered the establishment of a number of Free Schools.
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Your Host
Mark Davis is a highly experienced director, workshop presenter, keynote speaker, and the host of "Out of The Blue," a popular podcast dedicated to school marketing. As the Director of Blue Apple Education, since 2016, Mark has worked closely with school and Trust leaders across the UK to enhance their branding, leading to Trust growth, improved admissions and better staff recruitment outcomes.
Mark delivers in-person workshops which focus on empowering school leaders with the tools and insights needed to revolutionise their marketing strategies. His sessions are highly regarded for offering practical advice and actionable insights that help schools elevate their presence and outreach.
In addition to his role at Blue Apple Education, Mark Davis is the co-founder of MATNetworks, a transformative initiative designed to support Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) leaders across the UK. Launched in January 2025, MATNetworks aims to provide a platform for MAT leaders and aspiring leaders to connect, collaborate, and share best practices. Through local forums and conferences, Mark and his team facilitate the exchange of advice and insights, helping to foster strong networks of support within the education sector.