Ebor York teachers in Barbican Richard McCann event

Richard McCann’s mother was the first woman to be killed by Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe.

Recommended reading:

• 'It's now an increase of almost £1,100 per year' - York bus fare row
• Midwife star congratulates award winners
• Popular market returns to North Yorkshire towns this weekend

On Monday (September 2) Richard was at York Barbican as one of the keynote speakers at Ebor Academy Trust’s first whole trust staff training event.

Richard McCann on stage at York Barbican (Image: Tim Moat)

Ebor comprises 25 primary schools in York, Selby, Hull and the East Riding and on the Yorkshire Coast and its “Ebor Together” event was held on the first training day at the start of the new school year, to launch its Year of Our People initiative.

It also emphasised the importance of all staff irrespective of their role, said Gail Brown, chief executive.

“We have just marked our tenth anniversary,” she said, “and thought this would be a fitting way to welcome our second decade of service to our children by explaining our key priorities – early years, community and children’s wellbeing," said Gail.

“The Barbican was a superb setting for more than 650 staff who travelled in and they witnessed a memorable and inspirational event.”

Richard McCann spoke eloquently about his life which began in Leeds in poverty, his early trauma and yet how the support of his teachers helped him to success.

Another guest speaker was Ed Vainker who is a respected advisor to the Princess of Wales through the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Years. He told how regularly engaging with parents and the community helped schools and pupils make the most of their opportunities and created new ones.

Speaker Ed Vainker (Image: Tim Moat)

Ebor’s director of people and culture, David Wheeler, explained how the human resources function was now much more progressive and forward thinking in organisations such as Ebor. He launched self-service HR via a staff section on the Ebor website and explained the trust’s people strategy and its employee journey.

Ebor's director of people and culture David Wheeler (Image: Tim Moat)

The event was introduced by outgoing trust chair Rachel Totton and ended with closing remarks from new chair, Debbie Clinton.

The seven York schools part of Ebor are Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy, Haxby Road Primary Academy, Park Grove Primary Academy, Osbaldwick Primary Academy, Lakeside Primary Academy, Hob Moor Oaks and Hob Moor Community Primary Academy.

Staff await speakers to come to the stage at the York Barbican (Image: Tim Moat)