A breath of fresh air for education

Following the success of the 2018 event, Angel Solutions once again sourced a stellar line-up of speakers for their 2019 education festival held in May.

RefreshED is an education festival with a difference holding talks and interactive workshops from leading, world-renowned education experts.

With a focus on teacher wellbeing, mental health and curriculum, as well as Ofsted framework debunking, there was a pick and mix of workshop choices, with something to suit everyone.

It featured the top world-renowned speakers such as ex-apprentice candidate Jaz Ampaw Farr, happiness speaker and comedienne Shonette Bason Wood and BBC documentary star Pran Patel – there were also surprise treats for all guests attending!

Event goers were offered an ice-cream break and free massages with musical entertainment, magicians, pick and mix sweets, mocktails (turning to cocktails later on) and more.

The event was aimed at headteachers, senior leaders, subject co-ordinators and assessment leads with a choice of workshops for all from EIF 2019/Ofsted framework changes to wellbeing and teacher workload.

Adam Vasco, deputy headteacher from St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School attended the event and said: “Having been wowed by the first RefreshEd last year we were eagerly anticipating this year’s event. Fun, engaging, forward thinking and focused on children’s learning RefreshEd manages to spread positivity in education at a time when this can be a rare commodity.

“We have the best jobs in the world working with the best people – children, sometimes amidst the political landscape and funding crisis this focus can be lost. Events like this are more important than ever!

“The event focused on children, their learning and education and there were practical ways to reduce workload while refining practices with tools such as Balance.

“Inspirational stories from people such as Tom Wallace, Jaz Ampaw-Farr and Shonette Bason-Wood each reminding us in very different ways just how important our roles are. Not to mention leadership tools from Dr Ioan Rees, aspirations and career advice and of course inclusion.

“Such a diverse line up, all at the cutting edge of education.

“This job never fails to amaze me as we continuously evolve and develop. RefreshEd is a key place to learn so such. It just goes to show you really can teach an old dog new tricks! At every session there were key lessons to take away.

“We are immensely proud to be part of this movement. That is how I would describe what RefreshED embraces – a movement.

“The buzz and excitement was and is tangible. This wasn’t a day of fun for funs sake, it was focused CPD but with a twist. The team at Angel Solutions were the perfect hosts. I can rarely think of an event like it.

“The fact it is on our doorstep is as refreshing as the name suggests. The future is bright. The challenge for us as a school is trying to find a way to release more of our staff to next year’s event”.