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Felicity Gillespie

Director, Kindred Squared
Felicity Gillespie is the Chief Executive of Kindred2, a private foundation focused on improving the quality of early childhood development. She is currently a member of the independent expert panel advising Sir David Bell’s Review of Early Years, commissioned by the Labour Party. Felicity has been an Advisor to the UK Department for Education since 2011 and the lead specialist Academy Governance Advisor for six years. A board member of Ofsted, previous roles include establishing the Broadcast Training and Skills Regulator and The National Teaching Awards. As the education and training advisor at the Confederation of British Industry, she represented the UK on EU education and training programme boards. A former Associate of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit and of the National College of School Leadership, Felicity has served as a national judge of the UK National Training Awards on many occasions and speaks on the British education system at conferences and seminars in the USA, Middle East and UK.
11:00

1 Main programme

Panel: The meaning of ‘reception readiness’ – The latest insights to support effective practice

In this session, Felicity Gillespie of Kindred Squared will share key insights from the research behind the newly published 'Starting Reception' definition and guidance, along with findings from this year's School Readiness Survey. In the discussion, Sian Wicks of ERIC will highlight the support available to schools for young children who are not yet physically ready, while Jenny Shaw of Busy Bees will share the practices implemented across their settings to prepare young children for school. Attendees will benefit from the latest insights on this critical issue in terms of both research and practice to support their work.