NETWORK
OF NETWORKS
The LLA operates as a “network of networks,” where various network types evolve based on changing interaction patterns. Networks are built on relationships between actors (individuals and organisations) and the meaning behind those connections. The focus within the LLA is on social ties and interactions, not individual actors.
LLA networks have emerged from the following three phases:
- Connection: Partners form links through events like our Leaders’ Breakfasts, and identify shared interests
- Sense-making: Partners engage in activities (e.g. roundtables) to generate knowledge and set goals
- Sustained action: A facilitator guides ongoing activity aligned with shared objectives
Administration and coordination
Effective network management includes:
- Scheduling meetings (location, platform, logistics)
- Communication: Promoting networks and sending agendas
- Chairing meetings: Facilitating discussion and decision-making
- Follow-up: Sending minutes, tracking actions, and scheduling next steps
- Attendance tracking and notifying Sam Hallas for calendar updates
SEND (Primary Focused)
Centre for Inclusive Practice
Primary Leaders
Secondary Leaders
Further and Higher Education Leaders
Equity Peace and Community Safety (anti-exclusion, anti-youth violence)
Community Cohesion
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (Schools and FE)
Climate Crisis (Eco/Sustainability) Recruitment and Development (Supply Pool)
Digital Tech Pathways Digital Development (AI)
Contact our networks
If you’re interested in learning more about the LLA’s networks, or if would like to join a network, we’d love to hear from you.
Please fill out the form and our team will get back to you with the details you need. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and enhance your professional development within the Leeds Learning Alliance community.
PRIMARY EDUCATION
Primary growth and development has been a key focus of the Leeds Learning Alliance. The shared wealth of skills and experience brought to bear in this network has led to an exciting array of opportunities for staff at all levels within schools.
A network of primary leaders has been established, providing a half-termly forum for focused discussion of current common priorities and challenges facing schools and leaders.
We are delighted that through our work-streams and wider priorities, and under the guidance of Headteacher Emma Wraighte, partners have identified a comprehensive set of professional development opportunities which have been captured within our Primary Offer brochure.
The Primary Network has afforded regular opportunities for leaders to step out of the busyness of day-to-day life in school and focus on the factors that will impact on delivering high-quality, values-led, sustainable education for the future. The quality of professional dialogue has been rich, and the topics varied. Through the Headteacher Working Groups we have been able to provide opportunities for staff development and practical solutions to ongoing emerging issues. The collaboration has allowed leaders to learn from each other’s best practice, and to explore new thinking and approaches for delivery.
The Primary Offer brochure for 24-25 provides an expanded offer to member schools with the first cohort of aspiring leaders accessing the ‘Developing Leadership Program’, monthly best practice sharing visits hosted by individual schools, and opportunities for children to take part in cross school activities for the first time.
The depth of connection between the participating schools continues to grow and we would like to thank members for their professional commitment and enthusiasm which has been of benefit to all those actively involved.
EMMA WRAIGHTE
Director of Primary Development, Leeds Learning Alliance
ANNE FELL
Special Advisor, Primary Education, Leeds Learning Alliance
DIGITAL PATHWAYS & DESTINATIONS
The Digital Pathways and Destinations working group has continued to make progress in creating new opportunities for young people in the digital sector in Leeds. The group focuses on actions to address the challenge that the digital workforce in Leeds is not representative of the demographic in the city.
The group has developed several initiatives and programmes to help it achieve the aim of improving progression and the pathways available for underrepresented young people into digital-related careers. These include:
LEEDS DIGITAL CAREERS FESTIVAL
GROWING DIGITAL TALENT LEEDS
LEEDS UNLEASHED
The Digital Pathways and Destinations steering group is currently developing further activities that include:
- A bid for funding to roll out a third annual digital-focused Healthy Holidays programme at Leeds City College in summer 2024
- Roll out of the University Centre Leeds digital immersion programme
- Development of a digital extended school’s programme for Leeds City College, as well as creating a catalogue of digital taster sessions that can be taken to schools in the city
- Development of a girls/women in tech programme at Luminate Education Group to be implemented in the 2023/24 academic year
- Use of STEM 7 characteristics and the behaviours employers are looking for to be embedded across Luminate Education Group
- Use of IBM P-TECH and Open P-TECH learning frameworks to engage young people at Luminate Education Group
- Roll out of a Digital Skills action plan at Luminate Education Group
If you have any questions about the Digital Pathways and Destinations steering group, or would like to get involved, please contact [email protected].
JAMES BROADHURST
Project Coordinator, Luminate Education Group
EQUITY NETWORK
The LLA Equity Network offers colleagues from across our member institutions the opportunity to discuss key issues relating to equitable practice both within society, their sector and within their organisations. The network has continued to lead with a focus on anti-racist practice and developing ways to implement this across our organisations.
A key component of this work is helping leaders understand how they can become actively anti-racist in their practice.
The Race Equity Leadership Toolkit
The toolkit was designed to ensure that the commitment to anti-racist practice is enacted as an imperative for leaders in our region and beyond. The toolkit has incorporated into discussions about approaches to develop and deliver the tools in practice. The toolkit takes a guided approach to self-work, the place where anti-racism needs to start, but through collaborative work we are seeking to ensure shared learning and accountability to keep the toolkit current and ‘living’.
Building on the anti-racism plan, the LLA is working with Leeds City Council to support the council’s focus on ‘Race 4 Equality’ across education in the city. The objective is to raise awareness and develop a working network to support our ambition for a more diverse education workforce.
The Office for Institutional Equity established at Leeds Trinity University in January 2022 has established an Equity Network which seeks to mobilise this objective. The group has sought to develop an approach which has been used as an opportunity to develop a strategic vision around key issues in equity.
We have hosted discussions about fairness and transparency in recruiting a diverse workforce, reverse mentoring, and anti-racist practice. We are an open group and welcome all those who seek to create a shared framework for racial justice and equity across their organisations to attend. We will continue to develop our plans to embed approaches which support our city, region and improve opportunities for those who live, study and work within it.
Please contact Tamsin if you would like to contribute to this network: [email protected]
TAMSIN BOWERS-BROWN
Director of the Office for Institutional Equity, Leeds Trinity University
CAREERS NETWORK
The LLA Careers Network has met half-termly since September 2024. The aim of the Careers Network is to use the range of expertise and specialist provision across the Leeds Learning Alliance to find the most effective destinations for all young people in the alliance, particularly those from the least advantaged backgrounds.
The Alliance’s network of schools, colleges, and universities, linked with the network of organisations from the private and third sectors, means the network is uniquely placed to develop specific and focused offers in a range of areas.
In the early meetings the network was focused on:
- Developing a clear and targeted approach to transitions between schools and post-16 provision
- Developing a cohesive approach to apprenticeships, including sourcing them within the Leeds Learning Alliance and ensuring that high-quality information and guidance is provided
- Sharing and developing highly effective practice so that young people within the alliance are able to access the very best opportunities in Leeds and the wider region
Leeds is a city with a wide range of opportunities which are not accessed equitably by all citizens. The network aims to work pro-actively and preventatively to close these gaps and ensure that all young people in the city are able to make the most of their potential.
Despite the relative economic strength of the city, Leeds has one of the highest rates of young people classed as NEET (not in education, employment or training) in England. The LLA Careers Network seeks to support the ongoing city-wide efforts to address this by using its unique mix of organisations and shared purpose to find original approaches to improving this key area for the city.
Although the network is new and just established itself, there is much promise and much ground to cover as we make wider links across the LLA and the city itself.
JAMES DUNFORD
Senior Assistant Principal, Carr Manor Community School
SUSTAINABILITY, GLOBAL LEARNING & CLIMATE CHANGE NETWORK
PURPOSE
The combined authority of the Leeds Learning Alliance has become increasingly visible over recent times. The creation of this group has been driven by the need for a coherent and collaborative approach to addressing the existential issues of sustainability and climate change as one clear and powerful voice, representing a desire for action across the city.
Although in its infancy, the network is building on work already undertaken within the LLA, using the expertise within Global Learning Leeds (formerly LeedsDEC) and Climate Adapted Pathways for Education (CAPE) and trying to ensure there is representation from organisations across the Alliance.
The priorities for the network are being refined but overall, there is a commitment to improving:
- Interest by school leaders and governors, driving the development of the knowledge and skills of professional colleagues and leaders in order to better lead and advocate for action on sustainability at a system level
- The subject knowledge of teachers
- The understanding of children and young people
The network is concerned with the collation and sharing of high-quality resources to support these commitments, as well as longer term actions which will influence policy, take an advocacy role, and lobby to ensure that local and national politicians are engaged with these issues and prioritising these for educational benefit.
DIRECTION
A strategic plan for this network is under construction and will consider a number of aspects such as the use of agreed language for clarity, Green Skills development, sustainability in management and leadership, and the development of a Global Learning Curriculum – which supports education settings with the integration of these areas into their existing curricula.
This network envisions becoming a citywide model of excellence for sustainability education by fostering collaboration among schools, colleges, and key stakeholders. It aims to create an educational ecosystem where sustainability is a fundamental principle – not an add on.
The hope is that this network will not only catalyse change within the educational community, but also inspire broader societal shifts. By engaging with local authorities, businesses, and community organisations, the network ultimately seeks to bridge gaps between education and industry, ensuring that young people are prepared for a future where Green Skills and sustainability expertise are essential. This collaborative approach will strengthen advocacy efforts, enabling the network to influence education policy and secure resources necessary for long-term success.
A key direction for the network is to enhance the capacity of educators and leaders. To achieve this, the network plans to host events that empower participants with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.
By embedding a sense of shared responsibility and ambition, this Leeds Learning Alliance network aspires to leave a legacy of proactive, informed, and empowered educational leaders and learners who are equipped to face the challenges of the future. This work is not just about addressing current issues but about fostering a culture of sustainability for generations to come.
PROFESSIOR LEIGH HOATH
Deputy Dean, School of Education, Leeds Trinity University
SECONDARY LEADERS’ NETWORK
The Secondary Leaders’ network is a new network established this academic year and currently chaired by Will Carr (Ralph Thoresby School) and Lucie Lakin (Carr Manor Community School).
The membership of the meeting presently consists of colleagues across local authority maintained secondaries, Secondary MATs, specialist providers and FE providers. Agenda items have focused on our response as secondary leaders to national and regional developments; strategic approaches to preventing NEET as well as collaborative approaches to SEND and inclusion.
Gathering once a term, the network continues to expand and seeks to build on strong relationships formed between leaders and organisations for the mutual benefit of the families and learners whom we serve. Several leaders have taken part in the first 7-day programme for Leading Inclusive Cultures, and several additional connections and joint projects have emerged as leaders share resources including secondments for staff and the sharing of school improvement capacity.
The network additionally offers a valuable opportunity for leaders to offer support to each other professionally and facilitates a forum for ideas-sharing, problem-solving and open dialogue about our leadership challenges and opportunities.
LUCIE LAKIN
Principal, Carr Manor Community School
PATHFINDERS & YOUTH WORK
PATHFINDERS
The Pathfinders programme has been developed through collaborative efforts involving West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force, CATCH, Leeds City College, and Leeds Trinity University.
The programme’s Working Group meets regularly to discuss workforce challenges, recruitment barriers, and public perception issues. Pathfinders specifically addresses obstacles faced by individuals who identify as female or belong to ethnic minority groups in pursuing careers in uniformed services.
Last academic year, Pathfinders was coordinated at CATCH and engaged 14-16 year-olds from various high schools in the Leeds Learning Alliance. Following a review, the programme’s focus shifted to 16-18 year-old learners at Leeds City College. These learners already have an interest in joining the emergency services or armed forces.
Out of those who expressed interest, 35 learners were selected based on criteria aligned with the programme’s objectives. Priority was given to ethnic minorities, women, looked-after or cared-for, those with an EHCP or in recipient of a college bursary. Each month, learners meet uniformed personnel to address recruitment barriers and explore career opportunities.
In September 2024, Leeds City College’s Public Services Department hosted a careers day attended by over 200 new students. Serving personnel from various uniformed services shared insights into their roles, recruitment processes, and personal career journeys.
In October, learners visited West Yorkshire Police’s training centre at Carr Gate. They explored diverse job roles and interacted with police officers who shared similar life experiences. Smaller groups have since returned to participate in public order training as volunteers.
November’s activities took place at Moortown Fire Station, where learners completed recruitment tests, explored fire service careers, tried on equipment, and even got soaked during practical demonstrations.
In December, learners travelled to Liverpool to visit HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy’s flagship vessel. They explored various career paths, interacted with serving personnel, and enjoyed hands-on experiences with state-of-the-art equipment.
2025 promises many exciting opportunities, and the Pathfinders programme will continue to inspire and support young people by breaking down barriers and creating meaningful ways to engage with uniformed services.
TOM GRIFFITHS
Head of Department, School of Public Services, Leeds City College
