Free Breakfast Seminar with Frank Norris MBE & Jamila Kossar MBE
Wednesday 13th November 2024
In partnership with Hays Education, we are delighted to be hosting a free breakfast seminar entitled ‘School in the Community: Community in the School’ with keynote speakers, Frank Norris MBE & Jamila Kossar MBE.
Now and then policymakers acknowledge the potential of deep community engagement for schools. Often, this comes after specific shocks to local communities such as the 2001 riots which led to a focus on community cohesion, or the more recent experiences of the pandemic.
There is, additionally, a school of thought which maintains that involving the community in the life of the school benefits all; taking the view that education does not happen in isolation. The leaders of these schools see engagement with parents and the wider community impacting on attendance, attainment, behaviour, safety and the joy of school.
In this morning seminar, Frank & Jamila will share their experiences of ‘schools in the community and communities in schools’ in very different contexts.
Agenda
8.30am Breakfast & networking
9.00am Welcome from FED & Hays
9.05am In conversation with Frank & Jamila, Q & A
10.30am Close & thanks – Coffee & networking
Date & Time
Wednesday 13th November – 9am start (arrival from 8.30am for light breakfast and refreshments)
Location: Hays Manchester
4th Floor City Tower, New York Street, Manchester, M1 4BT
This promises to be a very interesting and thought-provoking session, spaces are limited so please book your place now.
Reserve your place contact Vicki Gartner – 07891 838937 or [email protected]

Jamila Kossar MBE is a Senior Leader and community activist. She has years of experience as a teacher of RE and PSHE. She is currently Deputy Head at Manchester Islamic Grammar school for Girls. She advises the police on community-related issues. Jamila believes passionately in students, teachers and school leaders being active citizens within their communities and has done this in many creative ways. She is not afraid to engage in projects many would find challenging, like a partnership with King David’s School in Prestwich.
Following the summer riots Jamila was interviewed by Manchester Evening News about her reaction as a Muslim woman who chooses to cover her head.

Frank Norris MBE has a long and distinguished career in education and is well known for his values-driven approach to educational issues and for ‘speaking truth to power’. He very recently led the Alternative Big Listen. Frank is a former MAT leader, Head Teacher (in Trafford and Cheshire), HMI, Chair of the Blackpool Improvement Board and advisor to the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. Frank was CEO of Co-op Academies Trust which is highly regarded as one of the highest performing trusts for disadvantaged students according to DfE, EPI and Sutton Trust reports.