Framing the current landscape of SEND in schools

Sam Twiselton OBE Emeritus Professor, Sheffield Hallam University 

Integrating SEND learners and working towards more inclusive strategies

Heba Al-Jayoosi Assistant Headteacher and Inclusion Leader, Mayflower Primary 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 

My challenges as a SEND parent and setting up Gesher school in London

Ali Durban MBE Co-founder, Gesher School 

Panel - Creating equitable provision for SEND learners in existing schools

Chaired by Emeritus Professor Samantha Twiselton OBE, Sheffield Hallam University

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.

Sam Twiselton OBE Emeritus Professor, Sheffield Hallam University Heba Al-Jayoosi Assistant Headteacher and Inclusion Leader, Mayflower Primary School Ali Durban MBE Co-founder, Gesher School Terry White Principal Education Advisor Planning Learning Spaces in Practice, Gratnells. Chair of Association for Learning Environments, Europe 

SEND and Inclusion – Ofsted

Adam Sproston Senior His Majesty’s Inspector 

Followed by audience Q&A

Preparing teachers for real-world challenges: Human skills that stick

• 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

James Coleman Head of Operations, NASBTT 

Beyond compliance to an empowering but rigorous model of ITT

• 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

Sam Twiselton OBE Emeritus Professor, Sheffield Hallam University 

Question Time: The Future of Initial Teacher Training

Chaired by Phil Smith, Education Consultant

Phil Smith Education Consultant James Coleman Head of Operations, NASBTT Sam Twiselton OBE Emeritus Professor, Sheffield Hallam University 

School catering sits at the intersection of nutrition, finance, inclusion and sustainability, yet is under increasing pressure from rising costs, changing pupil needs and environmental expectations. This panel explores how schools and trusts are managing catering as a strategic business function while delivering value for money and positive outcomes for pupils.

• Delivering nutritious, high-quality meals within constrained and volatile budgets
• Financing catering provision: in-house vs outsourced models and value for money
• Meeting diverse dietary, cultural and allergy requirements at scale
• Reducing food waste and improving uptake without increasing cost
• Embedding environmental and sustainability goals into catering decisions

Schools Must be Safe

A fireside-style presentation and discussion covering the NASPM campaign ‘Schools Must be Safe’ and the critical controls in school risk management.

• Core standards
• Duty holder role
• Beyond the physical compliance checks

Chaired by Stuart McGregor, Director of Operations, NASPM

Stuart McGregor Director of Operations, NASPM Paul Jackson Head Teacher Chris Coyle Operations Manager, NASPM 

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

Stuart McGregor Director of Operations, NASPM Paul Jackson Head Teacher Chris Coyle Operations Manager, NASPM 

Real-life MAT insights into the 5 P’s of Procurement: Practical strategies for success

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. Chaired by Dave Smith, Head of Procurement at the Osborne Trust with further guests to be announced.

Dave Smith Head of Procurement, Osborne Trust Peter Melville Chief Operating Officer, South West Essex Community Education Trust Emma Wigmore CEO, Chelmsford Vine Schools Trust Jack Horton Customer Engagement Manager, Crescent Purchasing Consortium 

Rethinking the School Workforce: Wellbeing, Flexible Working and Retention

Flexible working is gaining momentum in education, driven by wellbeing pressures, workforce shortages and proposed day-one rights. This panel explores how schools can introduce flexible working in practice, balancing staff needs with workload, timetabling and continuity of learning, while maintaining trust with parents and pupils.

Key discussion points:

• What day-one flexible working rights could mean for schools
• Balancing wellbeing, workload and continuity of learning
• Managing multiple flexible working requests fairly
• Practical models already working in schools and MATs
• Building trust with staff and parents
• Leadership culture, trust and accountability
• The role of policy, guidance and unions in shaping the future workforce

Opening remarks

Opening remarks from Austin Earl Education & Edtech at techUK, Chairperson, EdTech Advisory Panel AI in Education

Austin Earl Education & Edtech at techUK, Chairperson, EdTech Advisory Panel AI in Education 

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.

Chaired by Jim Knight, The Rt Hon Lord Knight of Weymouth

Jim Knight The Rt Hon Lord Knight of Weymouth Rob Peters NGA Chris Goodall Head of Digital Education, Bourne Education Trust Austin Earl Education & Edtech at techUK 

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.

Chaired by Austin Earl, EdTech Advisory Panel AI in Education, techUK

Elizabeth Anderson CEO, Digital Poverty Alliance Cheryl Shirley Director of Digital Learning, LEO Academy Trust 

Building the coalition to drive coherent progress

Rob Peters NGA Elizabeth Anderson CEO, Digital Poverty Alliance Cheryl Shirley Director of Digital Learning, LEO Academy Trust