How to improve pupil behaviour and educational outcomes in your trust - Driving standards, social mobility & enhancing parental engagement

Oct 2, 2024

Dr. Jeffery Quaye OBE, National Director of Education at Aspirations Academy Trust, shares his extensive experience in transforming educational standards with a focus on social mobility. He discusses how high expectations and strong leadership can help disadvantaged students thrive. The conversation highlights the rise in school exclusions and advocates for understanding underlying behavioral issues rather than resorting to exclusion. Dr. Quaye emphasizes the importance of parental engagement and effective teaching in fostering a positive classroom environment.

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ANECDOTE

Career Journey

Dr. Jeffery Quaye's career began as a math teacher, progressing to advanced skills teacher and various leadership roles.
His roles included head of math, assistant principal, vice principal, head teacher, and director of standards before his current national director role.

INSIGHT

Social Mobility Catalyst

Education is crucial for social mobility, providing a currency of exchange for better opportunities.
True social mobility involves economic capital, enabling informed choices and improved life outcomes.

ADVICE

Trust Leaders' Role

School leaders can improve social mobility by working with parents to improve attendance.
They also need to ensure high-quality education and targeted interventions for students falling behind.

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In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Jeffery Quaye OBE, national director of education, standards, and quality at Aspirations Academy Trust. Dr Quaye brings a wealth of experience from his decades-long career in education, which began as a classroom teacher and has taken him to a national leadership role. He talks candidly about the challenges and opportunities he encountered along the way, and how his commitment to being a lifelong learner has shaped his approach to education.

We delve into some of the most pressing issues facing schools today, starting with the critical role education plays in breaking down barriers to social mobility. Dr Quaye explains how high expectations and strong leadership can help students from disadvantaged backgrounds overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential, while also discussing the specific strategies schools and trusts can implement to close the attainment gap.

The conversation also focuses on student behaviour and the rise in exclusions in England. With permanent exclusions at a record high, Dr Quaye shares his perspective on why exclusion should not be the default disciplinary measure and how schools can approach challenging behaviour in a more constructive way. He explains the importance of understanding the underlying causes of behaviour issues and emphasises that improving the quality of teaching and learning can have a profound impact on how students engage and behave in the classroom. We explore alternatives to exclusion and how schools can create environments that promote positive behaviour while maintaining high standards.

Parental engagement also emerges as a key theme in our discussion. Dr. Quaye reflects on how schools can better involve parents in their children’s education, particularly when dealing with behavioural issues or supporting students who may be struggling. He highlights practical approaches that schools can take to build stronger partnerships with families, which can be a crucial factor in both academic success and pupil wellbeing.

For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry.

Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters.

To find out more about Dr Jeffery, visit his LinkedIn profile.

All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.