Iona Kelliher

Managing Director, Edurio

Iona runs the insights team at Edurio, responsible for the creation of new surveys and analysis of the national datasets on staff, pupil and parent experience. Since joining Edurio in 2021, Iona has worked on national reports focused on topics such as equality, diversity and inclusion and staff retention. Iona brings over 10 years of research experience, previously working in fields from technology, to food waste, to finance.

Hall 11a

1 Series four

Listening to parents: Strengthening school communities through collaboration

This session explores how schools are engaging with parents to forge effective partnership in children's education. Speakers from Eko Trust and Big Education Trust will share their approaches to building inclusive, community-rooted relationships with families. Nicola Noble will reflect on Surrey Square Primary School’s Old Kent Road Family Zone project and its impact on local engagement, and Rebekah Iiyambo will highlight in-depth work with parents and carers to foster a deep sense of belonging through an inclusive and active listening approach. You’ll leave with grounded insights and practical ideas to consider and adapt in your own school communities.

Hall 11a

1 Series three

From voice to impact: Embedding staff feedback into trust culture

In this session, we'll hear real-life practical examples of how Infinity Academies Trust and Ted Wragg Trust have led meaningful change by listening deeply to their staff. We'll learn about their use of listening tools to turn feedback into co-created initiatives - from overhauling appraisal systems, and shaping people development programmes, to codifying values into everyday behaviours. You'll gain insight into their approaches and challenges in creating environments where people feel heard, valued, and supported, strengthening trust-wide culture.

Hall 11a

1 Series two

The power of pupil voice: Scaffolding for effective two-way communication

How can schools develop pupil listening practices for genuine, transformative change? This session explores how two trusts have developed powerful, practical approaches to pupil voice. From structured dialogue tools to redefining what it means to be “heard,” we'll hear about the strategies Life Education Trust and Windsor Academy Trust have implemented that empower pupils to communicate, collaborate, and contribute to school culture. Using real case study examples, the session will unpack the successes and challenges of embedding pupil voice into leadership, teaching, and daily school life—offering models for attendees to consider for their own settings.

1 Workshops series one

Building a culture of trust: Strengthening staff voice and wellbeing in schools

This session explores how trust-wide culture can be intentionally built to support staff voice, wellbeing, and belonging. Drawing on the journey of the Pinnacle Learning Trust, participants will examine how leadership visibility, transparent communication, and small, meaningful gestures contribute to a climate of trust. The workshop will highlight Pinnacle’s practical strategies to ensure staff feel heard, supported, and valued. We'll consider how language, values, and distributed leadership shape inclusive staff experiences and retention. Through reflection and discussion in the room, attendees will identify actionable steps to strengthen psychological safety, enable honest feedback loops, and create structures where staff thrive. This session is ideal for leaders looking to move beyond reactive wellbeing offers, towards a whole-trust culture of mutual respect and empowerment.

10:10

1 Main programme

What parents want: How and what 50,000 parents want to hear from you

Over the last year, more than 50,000 parents at schools across England have completed Edurio's parent feedback survey. In this session, we'll explore what their responses tell us about how we can improve communication with parents, and examples of the most highly-rated practice from trusts across the country.

1 Workshop series two

One team, one mission: Aligning operations and education for trust-wide impact

<span data-contrast="none">This session will explore how trusts can align operations and education to create a unified, mission-driven team. The next step for trust operational maturity goes beyond generating efficiencies and releasing time for educators, to contributing to school improvement; professionalising operational careers; and aligning all teams around the shared goal of improving outcomes for children. Join us to discover how fostering a cohesive "one team, one mission" culture can transform your trust, with real-life success stories from trust leaders.</span>