PROPOSED changes to how Ofsted approaches its school inspections were high on the agenda at an education conference this week.

Leading the discussion was Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman, one of the guest speakers at the Leading Learning Conference held at the West Lakes Academy in Egremont on Monday.

Joined on stage by Jonathan Johnson, chief executive of the West Lakes Multi Academy Trust, Mrs Spielman outlined how the changes to the Ofsted inspection framework would impact the school curriculum and the role parents play in a child’s education.

Student ambassadors from West Lakes Academy also met with Mrs Spielman, taking her on a guided tour of the Egremont school.

Mrs Spielman was glad of the opportunity to visit the county.

“I was delighted to visit West Lakes Academy and speak at the Leading Learning Conference,” she said.

“It’s not an area of the country I am able to visit as often as I would like, so it was great to meet people from across the region and talk about issues that matter not just in Cumbria, but to schools everywhere.”

Melissa Relph, one of the academy’s vice principles, said that a variety of education topics were discussed at the conference.

“Throughout the day delegates learnt about a range of teaching, learning and leadership practices that are all rooted in evidence, covering key themes such as effective curriculum design.”