In this episode of Changing Conversations, Sarah is joined by Katrina and Sean for a rich and reflective discussion inspired by their book Tackling Poverty and Disadvantage in Schools.

Drawing on their work within the Tees Valley Education Trust, Katrina and Sean explore what it means to take a genuinely place-based approach to school improvement, one that recognises the complexity of poverty, values lived experience and sees schools as part of a wider ecosystem rather than the sole solution.

Together we explore:

• Their approach to being “furiously curious” 

• Why education alone cannot address educational inequality

• The importance of dignity, relational work and deep social listening

• How co-production with children, families and communities reshapes practice

• The difference between collaboration as a slogan and collaboration as design

• How values, place and policy intersect 

• What brings hope

Katrina and Sean share concrete examples from their context, from co-produced community magazines and uniform access, to partnerships with funders, charities and local organisations, all illustrating how small, intentional design choices can reduce or remove barriers and build belonging.

Throughout the conversation, there is a clear invitation: not to replicate their work, but to reflect on your own context, values and assumptions and to ask what might be possible if we gang up on the problem rather than on one another.

This episode will resonate with school leaders, educators and system leaders who are grappling with complexity, seeking hope without false optimism, and looking for ways to lead with integrity in uncertain times.

Useful links: 

Connect with Katrina and Sean on LinkedIn.

• Book insights & discount code here.
• Read and download the PLACE: Our Journey So Far Impact report.
• Tees Valley Education Trust website (including the community magazine mentioned in the conversation).
• Child of the North: more information about their campaign work as a movement and resources/reports for colleagues to download.
• Substack: Sean’s personal Substack with obvious implicit and explicit links to the work of Tees Valley Education Trust and contained in the book.