The Education Show 2017: Enhancing pedagogy for all

The Education Show returned to the NEC, Birmingham on 16-18 March for its 27^th year, and with a focus on celebrating creativity in the classroom and an abundance of captivating keynotes speakers, this year proved to be more inspiring and innovative than ever before.

With all the recent changes to the education sector, and with 2017 set to be a year of continued pressure for schools to raise standards with ever-decreasing budgets, The Education Show provided visitors with a platform to discuss current changes in the sector, best practice and enhance their passion for pedagogy, all while surrounded by the latest and most pioneering resources and solutions.

One of the highlights from the show was a keynote speech delivered in the Central Feature theatre by National treasure, Darcey Bussell CBE. A retired ballerina and former principal of The Royal Ballet, Bussell is one of the most famous British dancers of her generation and is, more recently, known for her role as a judge on the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing. Her session discussed the importance of including dance fitness within the P.E curriculum of UK schools and was very popular with visitors.

Magali Ellis, headteacher of Trinity School, also shared her insight into the ‘Alternatives in teaching Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)’ during a high-impact session in the Early Years and SEN Theatre. She outlined the most effective methods of teaching MFL in primary schools and opened up the discussion to involve the audience, giving school leaders and teachers a chance to ask questions about MFL and how to develop a comprehensive and effective language provision.

If the 300+ exhibitors and various keynote speeches weren’t enough, visitors were also able to access high-quality continuing professional development (CPD) content and training; something The Education Show has become increasingly recognised for. All free of charge, the CPD programme ran across the three days offering ideas, inspiration and insight to everyone from the education world, including early years and secondary school teachers.

Additionally, during a session held by Andy Buck, managing director of Leadership Matters, headteachers and senior staff were offered incredible guidance into how they can use a ‘holistic solution’ to approach the many issues they’re currently facing. Andy was a headteacher in east London for 13 years and, in 2009, became a director at the National College for School Leadership. His latest initiative, ‘Leadership Matters’, is designed to improve educational outcomes for pupils by supporting great leadership development.

There really was something for every visitor at The Education Show; many visitors commented on the diversity of the sessions on offer and left with a renewed understanding and passion for developing and improving education for all.

Teachers from Whitley Academy, Coventry said: “We have come to find new ideas and we’ve certainly found many”, while Lisa Freeman, a teaching assistant from Heronswood Primary School in Kidderminster, said, “It was great to see all the new innovations in education and I found that every area of education was covered. I’ve got some great ideas to take back to the classroom.”

The Education Show is an annual event held in March at NEC Birmingham. The Education Show 2018 will take place from 15 to 17 March 2018. Visit www.education-show.com for more information.