InspirED event brings schools together

On Tuesday 4th February 2025, over 150 students from six schools came together for InspirED – a morning of inspirational speakers and shared experiences – as part of the OX14 Learning Partnership. The event, hosted by Fitzharrys School is part of a wider programme of partnership events across six schools in the Abingdon area .

InspirED was planned collaboratively by colleagues across the partnership and aims to inspire and motivate students in Year 10 through collaborative workshops and guest speaker sessions. It was based on the quote by Seneca:

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

The event had a focus on empowering Year 10 students to shape their futures with confidence and purpose through the innovative 6P model. Organisers John Sparks and Caroline Scott explain:

‘Our conference aims to inspire, educate, and equip young minds with the tools to navigate an ever-changing world, becoming forward-thinking and socially conscious to seize opportunities and make a positive impact. This aim reflects the conference’s focus on increasing awareness of future planning, introducing the 6P model (Planet, Prosperity, People, Politics, Progress, and Position), and boosting students’ confidence in identifying and preparing for future opportunities. It also captures the conference’s goal of providing practical, actionable knowledge that students can apply in their lives moving forward.’

Networking over refreshments allowed students to meet peers from across  the town and share their experiences. This was further enhanced by a group choir session led by Rose Martin, Music Partnerships Lead at Radley College. Rose Martin, a dynamic and passionate music educator, used collective singing as a powerful tool for student connection and personal growth. She inspired the students to see the possibilities that emerge when voices unite in harmony.

Cookies were provided by Proof Social Bakehouse, an artisan wholesale bakery and café in Oxford, part of Tap Social Movement, a social enterprise offering paid training and employment to people currently serving and recently released from prison sentences.

Mike Windsor, Head of Abingdon School, said:

‘It’s exciting to see pupils from the six schools in the OX14 Learning Partnership coming together for such a fruitful and positive day of collaboration. I’m sure that they will have left feeling inspired and empowered to take on the challenges of the future.’

The OX14 Learning Partnership is a group of six independent and state schools working in partnership to raise educational aspirations across the OX14 postcode. Abingdon School, Fitzharrys, John Mason, Larkmead, Radley College and St Helen & St Katharine work in partnership, through collaboration they hope to provide opportunities for students and staff to be challenged, inspired and learn from each other as well as offering mental health and wellbeing support. The series continues with SupportED and ChallengED later in the year which will aim to provide students in different year groups with a mental health and wellbeing event and a challenge event.