The event brought education leaders together to share effective practice, examine the challenges facing students during Key Stage 3 and identify the changes that could make the greatest difference.

It was part of a national roadshow organised by the KS3 Alliance, a new sector-led initiative commissioned by the Department for Education through its universal RISE programme.

The event featured contributions from Dan Nicholls, Regional Co-Chair of the KS3 Alliance and CEO of The White Horse Federation, and Moira Marder, Regional Co-Chair and CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust, alongside National Co-Chair Becks Boomer-Clark and keynote speaker and education author Mary Myatt.

Key Stage 3 is the last stage of education experienced by all pupils before they begin to follow different pathways. Despite its importance, it has received significantly less national attention than primary education, GCSEs or post-16 study.

Evidence suggests that pupils’ engagement, attendance and sense of belonging can decline during years 7 to 9, with consequences for attainment, behaviour and longer-term outcomes.

The KS3 Alliance has been established to develop a clearer understanding of what excellent early secondary education looks like and to identify, test and share the approaches already making a difference. Its initial areas of focus include:

• Strengthening pupils’ engagement and sense of belonging
• Building secure foundations in literacy and numeracy
• Improving the use of assessment and data across years 7 to 9
• Developing pupils’ confidence, agency, skills and readiness for future pathways

Throughout the morning, leaders took part in discussions and workshops exploring the experiences of young people in years 7 to 9, including how schools can support them to remain engaged, develop their confidence and build strong foundations for the rest of their education.

The South West programme will now continue with further opportunities for schools and trusts to work together, including the development of a regional KS3 network. Leaders will also work on a new toolkit to help schools and trusts reflect on and evaluate their KS3 provision, alongside gathering examples of practice from schools across the South West.

Participants also contributed to the Alliance’s national Call for Evidence, which is seeking examples of effective practice as well as honest reflections on the lessons schools have learned from implementing different approaches.

Alongside the Call for Evidence, the Alliance is running a national student survey to hear directly from young people about their experiences of learning, belonging, relationships, attendance, behaviour, confidence and enjoyment during years 7 to 9.

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust, said:

"The transition into secondary school and the years that follow are hugely important in shaping a young person's experience of education, yet we know there is still much more to understand about what makes Key Stage 3 successful.

Dan Nicholls, CEO of The White Horse Federation said:

"Bringing leaders from across the South West together gives us a fantastic opportunity to share what we are seeing in our schools, learn from one another and build a stronger evidence base around what works. This is about moving beyond individual schools and trusts and thinking collectively about how we can give every young person the strongest possible foundations for the years ahead."

“It is a privilege to be involved in this important opportunity to shine a light on Key Stage 3 and seek to improve the quality of education in the middle years of education. The Early Secondary Years are a time that can inspire and fulfil the hope of children as they move from Primary to Secondary and yet too often children lose their way. There are already examples of excellent provision across the south west: bringing some of our strongest educators together to invest much more deeply in key stage 3 offers greater hope for all children, particularly those that carry the most.”

The KS3 Alliance’s Call for Evidence and national pupil survey are open until 5pm on Monday 9 November 2026.

Schools, trusts, teachers, leaders, researchers, organisations and young people can find out more and contribute at www.ks3alliance.org.uk.