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Thought provoking conference sessions from inspirational speakers

The one-day 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 will be able to pre-register for each session.

09:00: REGISTRATION OPEN

09:35: WELCOME ADDRESS - Rachel Younger, President, NAHT

THEATRE 1

09:45: LEADERSHIP

This session explores the concept of school leadership and how we might develop expertise further.

1 Introduction & Overview
Stephen Morales, Institute of School Business Leaders (ISBL)
2 Working with other leaders
Hannah Stolton, Governors for Schools
Q&A Using feedback to become a better leader
Chaired by Stephen Morales with guests Hannah Stolton and Rachel Younger

10.50: OFSTED AND THE FUTURE OF SCHOOL LEADERSHIP: NAVIGATING THE CHANGES

This session will look at recent changes to Ofsted inspections

1 Introduction & Overview
Amanda Jackson, Lead Senior Inspector, Havering Education Services
2 Follow the leader - a school’s improvement journey
Rob Carpenter, Leadership Consultant & Trust Leader of the Inspire Partnership
3 School score cards: will they capture what parents tell us they want to see?
Colin Diamond CBE, Professor of Educational Leadership, University of Birmingham
Q&A Ofsted attainment vs. children’s long-term learning
Chaired by Amanda Jackson with guests Colin Diamond & Rob Carpenter

11:55 - Refreshment break

12:10 - BURSARS & BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

This session explores schools resource management, professional development of a schools business/admin staff and approaches to financial management and effective spending.

1 A fresh approach to financial management
Lana Stoyles, Head of Business Transformation, Nexus Multi Academy Trust




2 What MATs should consider when it comes to financial strategy
Peter Melville, Chief Operating Officer, South West Essex Community Education Trust / Incensu
Q&A Panel discussion - How schools can buy more efficiently
Chaired by Peter Melville with additional guests Hannah Stolton, Governors for Schools, Darren Lowe from Crescent Purchasing Consortium & John Wilson, Crown Commercial Service

13.15 - Lunch

14:00 - RECRUITMENT & RETENTION

This session discusses strategies to increase teacher recruitment and priorities for improving teacher retention

1 The Future of Initial Teacher Training: how can we attract more people to the profession, and keep them?
Emma Hollis, CEO, National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers (NASBTT)
2 Teacher development: how can we deliver high-quality training and personalised support?
Lynne Birch, Hub Lead, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Teaching School Hub
3 Funding temporary staff
John Wilson, Category Lead, Crown Commercial Service
Q&A Panel discussion - The difference between induction and mentoring
Chaired by Emma Hollis, NASBTT with guest John Wilson

15.15 - PROCUREMENT

The new Procurement Act and what schools need to know

Hosted by Mark Pearson, Learning & Development Lead at Crescent Procurement Consortium with Ray Wiffen, Head of Procurement & Jack Horton, Customer Engagement Manager

16:00 - Close

THEATRE 2

10.45 - ESTATES MANAGEMENT

Actionable advice & best practices essential for creating a conducive learning environment.

1 Legal Compliance and safe systems of work
Stuart McGregor, Director of Operations, National Alliance of School Premises Management (NASPM)
Q&A Panel discussion - Compliance and the challenges of being a duty holder
Chaired by Stuart McGregor with guests Chris Coyle Operations Manager and Paul Jackson, Headteacher

11:55 - SEND

This session explores the role of schools in SEND support, mainstream inclusion and leveraging collaboration.

1 The role of schools in SEND support
Amanda Wright, Head of Whole School SEND, National Association for Special Educational Needs

2 What can learning and progress look like for learners with SEND… and what does the journey involve?
Part I: Real life case study of how 2 mainstream schools have transformed their SEND provision
Part II: How schools are meeting the challenge of adapting to support learners with SEND

Alan Wood, Director, Co-Founder at Evidence for Learning/theTeacherCloud with Lando du Plooy, Executive Headteacher of Dersingham and Calverton Primary Schools, Newham
Q&A Panel discussion - Stepping outside the box: An understanding of schools & SEND support
Chaired by Amanda Wright, nasen

13.15 - Lunch

13:50 - GEMINI AI IN SPECIALIST EDUCATION 

hosted by Getech/GOOGLE

1 Live demonstration
Hosted by GOOGLE
2 Gemini AI and how we have used it to support SEND in a mainstream primary school Trust
Hayley Cullimore, Head of SEND, Asset Education
3 How we see Gemini AI being developed to support an Autism School
Rachel Quick, CEO, The Wherry School
Q&A Panel discussion
Chaired by Roger Slade, Getech/Google

15:00 - AI & EDTECH

Inspiring talks and sessions on digital skills and the rise of AI in school settings.

1 Opening Fireside Keynote: Apologies in advance, It’s AI: Why schools can’t ignore its strategic potential
Austin Earl, techUK and Richard Mayfield, Deputy CEO and CFO at the Three Spires Trust
2 Bridging the digital divide
Niel McLean OBE, Head of Education, BCS
Q&A Panel discussion: Long-term investing for impact in AI and Edtech
chaired by Niel McLean with special guest Michael Forshaw and Stephen Morales

16:10 - Close

THEATRE 3

10:30 - CREATING A SUSTAINABLE SCHOOL

This session explores just a few of the estate management issues affecting schools now.

1 The collaborative approach to sustainable schools
Sam Dyer, Headteacher, Thames Park Secondary School & Ian Broyd, Headteacher of Little Thurrock Primary School
2 How to plant bright ideas into your school ethos
Alex Green, Head of Let’s Go Zero
3 Buying energy & energy efficiency goods and services for schools
Katherine Rose Orme, Procurement Manager, Crescent Purchasing Consortium & Dan Pardesi, Chartered Energy Manager, Sustainable Energy First
Q&A Panel discussion - Are current net zero targets in schools working?
Chaired by Dave Smith, Osborne Cooperative Academy Trust

11:45 - Refreshment break

12:00 - LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Learning beyond the classroom - supporting students to thrive and achieve.

1 Evidence – what the evidence tells us
Anne Hunt, CEO, Council for Learning Outside the Classroom
2 Putting it into practice - simplifying risk management and building your confidence to take learning beyond the classroom
Kate Lodge, LOtC Adviser, Edsential CIC
3 Impact – the difference it makes to teaching and learning
Rachel Linkletter, Head of School, Salisbury Primary School
4 Sponsor presentation
Daniel Baker, Co-founder & Managing Director, EVOLVE
Q&A Panel discussion - Top tips for starting and developing learning beyond the classroom at your setting
Chaired by Council for Learning Outside the Classroom CEO Anne Hunt

13:15 - Lunch

14:30 - STEM

The challenges and opportunities of implementing STEM with TV Presenter & Champion for Women & Girls in Engineering, Kate Bellingham and Hilary Leevers, CEO at Engineering UK

15:15 - Close

Timings and content may be subject to change.