ASCL Data Leader and Accountability Conference

Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

Understanding data to drive improvement

The ASCL Data and Accountability Conferences will support school, college and trust leaders make sense of this summer’s results, with national comparisons and important policy updates including the latest information on inspection reform and the new report card.

Keynote speakers will take a forensic look at examples of how data has been used to prioritise strategy decisions and drive improvements. Our programme also features sessions led by practising data leaders whose focus on a particular area has informed improvement in their setting.

The conferences will also cover what to look out for in the accountability calendar, and how data leaders might want to prepare in advance.

Key outcomes

Understand key trends from the summer 2025 examinations.
Know the latest updates on inspection and the new report card.
See how practitioners in schools have used data to prioritise school improvement.
Know what to expect from the accountability calendar, and how to prepare.

There will be opportunities for question and answer sessions with speakers and also with selected exhibitors.

Details of the programme and speakers will be provided shortly.

Alternative date
26 September 2025 | London

Speaker

Tiffnie Harris

Primary and Data Specialist

Danielle Cartwright

Associate Director for General Qualifications Policy and Strategic Relationships

Paul Haigh

Headteacher, King Ecgbert School

Andrew Hill

Head of Partnerships, FFT Education

Becky St John

Data Consultant and Trainer

David Bartram OBE

SEND Adviser

Abdul Chohan

Vice President, Learning at Showbie and Director, ThinkSimple Ltd

Penny Crouzet

Policy Lead, Primary and Secondary Accountability Measures

Exhibition

Visit the following exhibitors at the conference:

Fee

Members: £290 + VAT
Non-members: £310.00 +VAT

Two or more delegates
Members: £260 + VAT
Non-members: £279 + VAT

Programme

09:10				Welcome and introduction

09:15				Accountability update Penny Crouzet, Policy Lead, Primary and Secondary Accountability Measures, DfE

09:45				National update on KS2, KS4 and KS5 outcomes 2025 Andrew Hill, Head of Partnerships at FFT

10:15				Reflections on Summer 2025, looking forward to Summer 2026 Danielle Cartwright, Associate Director for General Qualifications Policy and Strategic Relationships Join Ofqual to reflect on the 2025 summer series, and look forward to exams and assessments in 2026. This will include an overview of how grading works, information on recent policy developments, and a forward look to the national picture for exams and assessments in 2026 and beyond

11:00				Break and exhibition

11:20				The new inspection framework and the new report card– what we know and what it means for data and accountability Andy Jordan, ASCL Inspection and Accountability Specialist

12:20				Lunch

13:10				RISE update Paul Haigh, Headteacher, King Ecgbert School Paul’s presentation will explain the DfE RISE programme, covering both targeted and universal support. He’ll outline how schools become ‘in scope’ for targeted support, the process for identifying needs, brokering support, and the RISE adviser’s role. For the universal offer, he’ll explain the four support themes, the levels of support available to all schools, and the partner organisations DfE signposts. Drawing on his experience as a RISE adviser to seven schools and his leadership on inclusive mainstream policy, he’ll share examples of how both aspects have worked since the programme began in February 2025.

13:40				More effective leadership of SEND and Evaluate My School David Bartram OBE, SEND Adviser

14:10				Break

14:30				The annual data cycle and an investigation into standardised tests Becky St John, Data Management Consultant This session offers a practical update on key upcoming data tasks and events - what to expect and when to act. We'll also take a look at the world of standardised tests: what are their strengths and limitations? How do you decide which to choose, that will genuinely add value in your context?

15:00				Making use of AI in data Abdul Chohan, Vice President, Learning at Showbie and Director, ThinkSimple Ltd This talk explores how data and AI, when used with pedagogical intent, can empower educators to enhance teaching practices and learning outcomes. By aligning technology with evidence-based strategies, we uncover how intelligent insights can personalise instruction, support decision-making, operational efficiencies and transform classroom experiences for greater educational impact.

15:30				Finish