Carol Dewhurst OBE

CEO, Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust

Carol has been Chief Executive Officer of Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust since April 2014 overseeing the trust's growth from a three schools to a trust of 21 schools, educating more than 10,600 pupils. During her time at the trust, she has sat on several DfE advisory groups and supported a number of national education commissions, including the current commission on current affairs teaching being led by the Economist Education Foundation. Carol is a Trustee for the Bradford Culture Company driven by her ambition to ensure that young people have a voice in shaping the Bradford City of Culture enrichment offer available across the City. In 2020, Carol was awarded an OBE for her services to education. In 2025 Carol was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for West Yorkshire and she will also take up the position of High Sherriff for West Yorkshire for 12 months from April 2028.

School Improvement

1 Breakout sessions: Series one

Enrichment in practice: Curriculum and community approaches

This case study session explores two approaches to enrichment, and the role trusts can play in widening participation and opportunity. Leaders from Ormiston Academies Trust will share how a trust-wide commitment to guaranteed enrichment and a timetabled programme have helped improve engagement and attendance. Leaders from Altus Education Partnership will discuss how the Children's University, REACH, alumni networks, employer partnerships and community programmes are helping connect young people to experiences, aspirations and opportunities beyond the school gate. We will explore how these models were designed and implemented, the impact achieved, and the lessons learned for trusts looking to strengthen their own enrichment offer. Ideal for CEOs, directors of education and those responsible for personal development.