Unlocking Success for Sixth Form Leaders
Since September 2024, Red Kite Connect and HFL Education have been running a new programme for Sixth Form Leaders across Yorkshire. Designed to meet the unique needs of sixth form and their teams, the programme is already making a significant impact.
The Sixth Form Advantage Programme offers:
With 22 schools currently engaged, the programme consists of eight CPD sessions which culminate in a Sixth Form Leadership Conference at Roundhay School in Leeds on Monday 7th July 2025.
CPD sessions explore a range of crucial topics, including:
One of the most rewarding aspects of the programme has been the collaborative spirit among participants. Leaders have stepped forward to share insights, best practices and innovative solutions to common challenges.
The participating schools include Red Kite Alliance members and others in the region that have links with Red Kite Connect.
It’s a great example of partnership working as we draw on the national expertise provided by our not-for-profit partners at HFL Education. Suki Gill, HFL’s 16-19 Curriculum and Funding Adviser has led the programme and brings a wealth of experience and insight.
Steve Howell reflects:
It’s been a joy to sense the buzz in the room as leaders have gathered face-to-face to exchange ideas and perspectives and solve problems together. Ther has been such a spirit of fellowship which sums up for me what Red Kite Connect is all about.”
Feedback from delegates has been overwhelmingly positive:
Being able to network with other schools on software used, such as Aplicaa was informative and hearing about other people's experience with Unifrog allowed us to make an informed decision to buy the platform.”
I have connected with several over Heads of Sixth Forms and hope to visit at least 2 other Sixth Forms having made these connections.”
It is great to speak with fellow Sixth Form leads about their challenges and how they are planning to try to overcome them. It is really refreshing to get the chance to do this. Recently, the challenges of recruitment and worries about the impact of a proposed change to transport funding in North Yorkshire allowed for some interesting discussions to take place.”
We know from feedback that delegates are keen to continue with the Sixth Form Advantage programme next year and there is already interest from other parts of the country. We are working on an even better offer! And all Sixth Form leaders are warmly invited to the conferences this summer:
This conference in brought to you in partnership with HFL Education and provides you with the opportunity to attend in Hatfield or Leeds. Following the links for further details:
Book a place at the Hatfield event on Friday 6th June, 9am to 3:45pm
Book a place at the Leeds event on Monday 7th July, 9am to 3:30pm
By working together, we can continue to strengthen sixth form leadership across Yorkshire and beyond. We look forward to welcoming even more schools into this growing community of forward-thinking leaders.
If you are interested in joining us for our 2025/26 programme, sign up to our newsletter or follow us on LinkedIn to make sure you stay updated.
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