CONFERENCE
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.
Six separate conference streams have been themed around the main issues affecting school management. Delegates will be able to pre-register for each session.
SESSION ONE: LEADERSHIP
This session explores the concept of school leadership and how we might develop expertise further.
| 1 | TBA TBA |
| 2 | TBA Stephen Morales, Chief Executive, Institute of School Business Leaders (ISBL) |
| 3 | TBA Rob Lightfoot, CEO, National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE) |
| Q&A | Panel discussion Using feedback to become a better leader |
SESSION TWO: WHAT IS OFSTED LOOKING FOR?
This session explores how to drive successful Ofsted inspection outcomes.
| 1 | What Ofsted inspectors look for in 2025 TBA |
| 2 | School score cards: will they capture what parents tell us they want to see? Colin Diamond CBE, Professor of Educational Leadership, University of Birmingham |
| 3 | Follow the leader - a school’s improvement journey Rob Carpenter, Leadership Consultant & Trust Leader of the Inspire Partnership |
| Q&A | Panel discussion Ofsted attainment vs. children’s long-term learning |
SESSION THREE: EARLY CAREER TEACHERS
This session explores the practical elements of Early Career Teaching in schools as well as the more discussion-based topics of mental wellbeing and schools as a place of work.
| 1 | Sourcing new talent: How HR team and systems can help alleviate the recruitment crisis in schools TBA |
| 2 | Fresh approaches to teacher training TBA |
3 | 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) |
| Q&A | Panel discussion The difference between induction and mentoring |
SESSION FOUR: SEND
This session explores the role of schools in SEND support rather than SEND support in schools. This means developing plans while leveraging collaboration and communication between mainstream schools and specialist schools.
| 1 | The role of schools in SEND support National Association for Special Educational Needs |
| 2 | Removing barriers to learning Education Endowment Foundation |
3 | TBA TBA |
| Q&A | Panel discussion Stepping outside the box: An understanding of schools & SEND support |
SESSION FIVE: 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 | Overview Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA) |
| 2 | Balancing budgets: The financial challenges facing schools today Department for Education Schools Commercial Team |
| 3 | What MATs should consider when it comes to financial strategy Peter Melville, Chief Operating Officer, South West Essex Community Education Trust / Incensu |
| 4 | A fresh approach to financial management Lana Stoyles, Head of Business Transformation, Nexus Multi Academy Trust |
| Q&A | Panel discussion Does business have any business in education? |
SESSION SIX: CREATING A SUSTAINABLE SCHOOL
This session explores just a few of the estate management issues affecting schools now.
| 1 | What makes a resilient education estate? Department for Education |
| 2 | The collaborative approach to sustainable schools Dave Smith, Director of Procurement and Trust-wide Projects, Osborne Cooperative Academy Trust |
3 | How to plant bright ideas into your school ethos Alex Green, Head of Let’s Go Zero |
4 | EV chargepoint infrastructure and planning in schools James Brown, Energy Saving Trust |
| Q&A | Panel discussion Are current net zero targets in schools working? |