The 2026 event will feature an inspirational line-up of educationalists, central government policy-makers, session talks, Q&As and networking opportunities to explore practical solutions for managing and developing education in the UK.
The conference streams have been themed around the main issues affecting school management. Delegates can pre-register for each session.
08:45 ARRIVAL & REGISTRATION
09:30 WELCOME ADDRESS
THEATRE 1
LEADERSHIP
Investment in education - Stephen Morales, Chief Executive, ISBL
Effective governance - Emma Balchin, Chief Executive, NGA
Followed by audience Q&A
ISBL and NGA look at the challenge of improving school business leadership capability slightly differently. For an organisation to be successful, it must have certain ingredients that will ensure operational effectiveness – these include good people, strong leadership, clear processes, and a way to monitor productivity. So how can schools understand the mix of people and roles that will help secure those ingredients?
INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING
Preparing teachers for real-world challenges: Human skills that stick
James Coleman, Head of Operations, NASBTT
• Building trainees’ knowledge AND attitudes to succeed in the classroom
• Developing essential ‘soft skills’: critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving
• Embedding the ‘human element’ within training to benefit trainees and support teacher retention
Beyond compliance to an empowering but rigorous model of ITT
Emeritus Professor Samantha Twiselton OBE, Sheffield Hallam University
• Moving beyond overly prescriptive approaches in ITT
• Retaining the need to be very careful and intentional about meeting trainee’s needs at every step of their journey
Question Time: The Future of Initial Teacher Training
Chair: Phil Smith, Education Consultant plus James Coleman and Samantha Twiselton
SEND AND DESIGN FOR INCLUSIVE LEARNING
Opening remarks and current landscape of SEND in schools and what to expect going forward
Emeritus Professor Samantha Twiselton OBE, Sheffield Hallam University
Integrating SEND learners and working towards more inclusive strategies
Heba Al-Jayoosi, Assistant Headteacher and Inclusion Leader, Mayflower Primary School
My challenges as a SEND parent and setting up Gesher school in London
Ali Durban MBE, Co-founder, Gesher School
Developing good practice of design in mainstream schools and connected hubs for SEND learners
Terry White, Principal Education Advisor Planning Learning Spaces in Practice, Gratnells. Chair of Association for Learning Environments, Europe
Panel - Creating equitable provision for SEND learners in existing schools
Chaired by Professor Samantha Twiselton, this collaborative session looks at the current good operational practice that promotes SEND integration into mainstream schools and design for inclusive learning through the eyes of all staff currently working in schools, the learner’s parents and carers themselves and those that are leading, developing and supporting more inclusive strategies. Knowledge sharing is an important aspect here.
SEND and Ofsted’s renewed Framework
Adam Sproston, Senior His Majesty’s Inspector, SEND and Inclusion - Ofsted
EDUCATION BUSINESS AWARDS
16:30 - Close
THEATRE 2
PROCUREMENT FOR SCHOOLS
When it comes to procurement for schools, where do you go to find out what you need to do? Get help buying for schools and be prepared for the challenges during this session then find the solutions from the vendors located on the exhibition floor. Further guests to be announced.
SCHOOL ESTATES MANAGEMENT
A round table presentation and discussion with a leading estates, health and safety expert Stuart McGregor together with a Head teacher and senior school leader covering the NASPM campaign that ‘schools must be safe’ and the critical controls in school risk management.
Schools must be safe - An overview of critical health safety and estates management, the non-negotiable’s
• Core standards
• Duty Holder role
• Beyond the Physical Compliance Checks
Critical controls of risk management
• What is ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’
• How to ensure your risk assessments are suitable and sufficient
• Risk management in school estates, building management, and the prevention of accidents
• Overview of case studies to raise awareness and champion the NASPM schools must be safe campaign
AI & EDTECH - in partnership with TechUK
Opening remarks - Austin Earl Education & Edtech at techUK, Chairperson, EdTech Advisory Panel AI in Education
Part 1: AI in the Classroom - Can we trust the technology?
AI is transforming classrooms, but schools need confidence in the tools they adopt. This session explores how research-led certification can ensure AI tools are safe, effective, and ethically grounded. This Panel will include Rob Peters, NGA and Chris Goodall, head of digital education in the Bourne Education Trust.
Part 2: Digital Maturity - From Fragmentation to Coherence
Explore the ways education leaders, government representatives, and industry partners can drive coherent progress in your schools digital maturity. Panel will include Elizabeth Anderson, CEO, Digital Poverty Alliance and Cheryl Shirley, Director of Digital Learning, LEO Academy Trust