Leading Enrichment and Belonging

Everything you need to lead enrichment with confidence

What is it?
A one-day course for colleagues leading on enrichment in their school or college, whether you're brand new to the role or already leading and want to strengthen your offer and lead with confidence. The day runs through the foundations, right through to creating a strategy, including what a high-quality enrichment offer looks like, how it can be timetabled and funded, and where it sits within the wider curriculum, before moving onto strategic leadership and the latest research.

The final session turns theory into practice, with delegates leaving with a draft strategy and clear next steps for their own setting.

Why is it needed?
The DfE Enrichment Framework, published in June 2026, builds on the recommendations of the Curriculum and Assessment Review and applies to schools and post-16 providers. The schools white paper reinforces this, setting out a core entitlement to enrichment for all pupils. While the new guidance is non-statutory, since September 2026, Ofsted consider a school or college's enrichment provision as part of personal development and wellbeing.

This is a significant and unfamiliar area for many leaders to get to grips with, and this course works through the guidance step by step, helping colleagues make sense of what it means in practice.

Hear from delegates who attended this course, October 2026

💬 “This was the best ASCL CPD course I've attended. Information was relevant and focused, with lots of opportunity for reflection and questioning. This course also gave us tangible takeaways to support with the analysis, planning, implementation and evaluation of enrichment within our schools, saving time and making sure that important aspects aren't overlooked.” Assistant Headteacher

💬 “An excellent session - really informative and lots to come away with.” Deputy Headteacher

💬 “Absolutely exceptional speakers who really contributed to my knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm around leading enrichment.” Assistant Headteacher

Speakers

			Tiffnie Harris ASCL Data, Disadvantage and Primary Specialist Tiffnie Harris leads on primary and Early Years, data and accountability, disadvantage, literacy, enrichment and transition. Tiffnie has over 25 years of school leadership experience including English and literacy, data and outcomes and school/trust improvement. She is an expert in understanding data, and passionate about how this can support school improvement and outcomes for all children and young people, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Tiffnie can lead whole-school training and provide bespoke support for school leaders on data and accountability measures, literacy and disadvantage. A significant part of her role is working with government on education policy and guidance, and Tiffnie is one of the lead specialists on ASCL Council, where positions on policy are debated and used in discussion with government to influence policy decisions. Tiffnie is Chair of Governors in a secondary school and sits on a primary school governing board.

			Simon Leach Principal, Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy Simon Leach is Principal of Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy, a role he has held since January 2023. Since his appointment, Simon has led the academy through a period of significant transformation, securing its first ever Good judgement after more than 20 years of Satisfactory, Requires Improvement and Inadequate inspection outcomes. Under his leadership, Ormiston Ilkeston has developed a distinctive and nationally recognised approach to enrichment. Believing that enrichment should sit alongside academic study as an essential part of a young person’s education, Simon led the academy to timetable enrichment as a core part of the school week, placing the same value on personal development as academic success. Serving a highly disadvantaged community, where many young people face significant barriers to accessing opportunities beyond school, Simon has worked to remove those barriers and ensure equity of experience. Through this model, 100% of students now engage in meaningful and regular enrichment, broadening horizons, building confidence and strengthening belonging. Simon is passionate about the role schools play in overcoming educational disadvantage and creating the culture and climate necessary for young people to achieve social, emotional and academic success.

			Andy Ireland Former headteacher in secondary and alternative provision sectors Andy Ireland worked for 32 years in Sheffield with 16 of these as the headteacher of 3 mainstream secondary schools and a large cross-phase pupil referral unit. Prior to headship, Andy held senior leadership positions with assessment, achievement and curriculum responsibilities. As a headteacher he also worked across the local authority and multi academy trusts in the development of inclusion models and close partnerships with the specialist sector. Returning to mainstream education following a period of alternative provision leadership was powerful in driving wider school improvement, belonging and outcomes. Since retirement from full-time school leadership in 2024, Andy has remained an associate member of ASCL and uses his experience to support schools and leaders. A significant part of this work in the development and implementation of meaningful enrichment programmes aligned to school priorities of belonging and inclusion.

			Steve Howse CEO and Founder, SMID Report Steve Howse is the creator of the SMID report, championing data-driven school improvement across secondary schools in England and Wales. Beyond SMID, he has developed numerous software solutions supporting school well-being, efficiency, and time-saving, helping educators focus on what matters most. With extensive experience in educational consultancy, Steve is passionate about empowering school leaders with practical tools and insights that enable informed decision-making and drive meaningful improvements for students and staff worldwide.

What are the benefits for you and your organisation?

Colleagues will leave understanding the recent government guidance and where enrichment sits within inspection, including how to evidence participation and impact. The day includes examples of good practice and dedicated time to talk with experienced colleagues.

For schools and colleges, this means a leader equipped with a draft strategy and concrete next steps, whether that is building a role from scratch or sharpening one that’s already underway.

Suitable for

Colleagues in primary, secondary or post-16 settings who are new to leading on enrichment, and those already in the role who want to understand it more effectively and lead it with greater confidence.

Fees

ASCL member: £265 +VAT

Non-member: £280 +VAT