FMAT Schools Conference 2025: More than 500 delegates from across four schools started 2025 by attending an inspirational conference to hear expert talks on everything from overcoming adversity to fostering inclusivity and belonging in students.
Staff at Smith’s Wood Academy played host to hundreds of colleagues from Fairfax Academy, Erdington Academy and Bournville School for the day-long event on Monday, January 6th.
The four schools – all part of the Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust (FMAT) – came together for the ‘Ambition Through Inclusivity’ conference, which featured keynote speakers and practical workshops on subjects as diverse as managing stress and boosting literacy.
Welcoming the delegates, FMAT CEO Simon Jones spoke about how the four schools in the Trust – which is the 11th most improved in the UK – benefited from dedicated staff who were determined to help their students reach their full potential.
He said: “A school or Trust is not the buildings; it’s the people who strive to provide opportunities for the children they serve.
“It takes an army of people with a range of backgrounds and experiences to be able to unlock each child’s talents.
“It’s only by working together that we can draw on each other’s strengths.”
Inspirational keynote speakers at FMAT Schools Conference 2025
The day began and ended with addresses by two truly inspirational international keynote speakers. First Nick Hamilton, younger brother of Formula One legend Lewis Hamilton, spoke about how he has made a name for himself as a top racing driver, despite being born with Cerebral Palsy.
Nick gave valuable insights into his own experiences as a disabled child at school, and the determined mindset required to overcome physical and mental adversity to make it to the top in sport.
FMAT Schools Conference 2025

The conference ended with a keynote address from award-winning CEO Michelle Mills-Porter, who talked about the lessons she learned from surviving the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
She said: “What I learned, about humans, is that in the face of adversity, that is when we are at our greatest.”
Between these two speakers, delegates took part in numerous workshops across the Smith’s Wood site.
Wellbeing expert Andrew Pain spoke about the dangers of burnout and stress, while Harun Rabbani provided practical tools to help teaching staff boost resilience, foster stronger connections, and create an inclusive, supportive team environment.
Mentor Paris Bartholemew, who shared her own experiences of growing up in the care system, challenged her audience to ‘survive, grow and inspire’ others through a range of techniques.
Joanne Lockwood led a workshop on Embracing Diversity and Enhancing Belongingness, which resonated with FMAT’s mission to enrich the lives and transform the futures of all students.
Michelle Rabicano, FMAT’s own Academy Improvement Advisor for English and Literacy, led a valuable workshop on increasing the participation and engagement of the weakest readers.
There were also workshops workshops by Dan Rowe, of male metal health wellbeing advocacy group Andy’s Man Club, and from Rebecca Richardson Power, providing a valuable insight into the autism spectrum.
Elsewhere EqualiTeach, a national charity specialising in diversity training for the education sector, ran two workshops – covering subjects such as ‘challenging microaggressions’ and understanding the power and impact of language in the promotion of equality and inclusion.
The FMAT Schools Conference 2025 not only provided hundreds of FMAT teaching staff with valuable insights and functional new approaches to their work, but it also gave an opportunity for the teams from the four schools to meet, build relationships and share experiences.
CEO Simon Jones added: “Bringing everyone together like this is valuable because it allows us to see physically that we are part of a much larger organisation of people that are here to work together to help children.
“When you are in your own team, department or even your own school it can feel a little isolating at times, perhaps when there are not many people to bounce ideas off or share support, so getting to see that you are part of something bigger and having that opportunity to connect with more people is very worthwhile.
“I think it has been a great day, and I would like to thank the team who put it together over the last few months, under the skilled co-ordination of Alison Gracie, the Trust’s Learning and Development Lead.”
For more on Fairfax Academy, click here.
For more on Erdington Academy, click here.
For more on Smith’s Wood Academy, click here.
For more on Bournville School, click here.
To visit the Fairfax Academy website, click here.
To visit the Erdington Academy website, click here.
To visit the Smith’s Wood Academy website, click here.