ASCL Conference for Strategic Leadership of Languages

The Studio, Birmingham

How can school leaders drive sustainable and inclusive language education?

In a time of educational reform and shifting policy landscapes, school leaders are uniquely placed to shape and secure the future of languages education.

Developed by ASCL in partnership with the National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE), this conference supports school and system leaders to take a strategic, informed and confident approach to leading languages. The day will focus on how languages can be embedded within whole‑school improvement priorities - driving inclusion, oracy, equity and global citizenship for every learner.

Why attend?

This conference is designed for leaders who want to secure the future of languages in their setting.

You will leave with:

A clear understanding of how current and upcoming policy reforms will affect languages
Practical guidance on line managing language departments when you are not a linguist
Insight into sustainable curriculum and staffing models across key stages
Strategies to strengthen oracy, motivation, and progression through language learning
Confidence to position languages as central to your school or trust’s values and vision

Join us to discover how language learning can be a powerful driver of equity, diversity, and student belonging.

Key themes

Navigating policy change
Stay ahead of evolving government reforms affecting languages in both primary and secondary education.
Strategic leadership of languages
Learn how leadership teams can embed languages into whole-school improvement strategies aligning with values of inclusion, sustainability, and global citizenship.
Building sustainable provision
Understand the financial and logistical implications of different curriculum models across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5.
Line managing language departments when you’re not a linguist
Gain practical insights into line management and quality assurance for language departments when you're not a subject specialist.
Ensuring continuity and progression
Discover strategies to address learner motivation and build learner confidence and progression across key stages.
Strengthen pupils’ oracy through language learning
Examine how language education supports and enhances a school's work on oracy and communication.
Creating a culture of language learning
Inspire all students to learn languages, including home, heritage, and community languages, regardless of background or ability.

Speaker

Tom Middlehurst

Deputy Director of Policy

Suzanne O'Farrell

ASCL MFL Consultant

Sir Ian Bauckham CBE

Chief Regulator, Ofqual

Rebecca Bollands MBE

Headteacher, Earlsdon Primary School

Andy Jordan

ASCL Inspection and Accountability Specialist

Tracy Williams

Subject Pedagogy Lead for MFL, Arthur Terry SCITT

Luke Payton

Principal, St Augustine's Catholic High School and Sixth Form

Anna Ford

Headteacher, Sidney Stringer Academy

Crista Hazell

Development Manager, Association for Language Learning

Carla Tranter

Headteacher, Hamstead Hall Academy

Kathy Hersh

Deputy Headteacher, St Bartholomew's School, Newbury

Jane Driver

Principal, North Cambridge Academy, and President Elect, Association for Language Learning (ALL)

Fees

Fee: £199+VAT
Groups of 2 or more £175+VAT

Programme

ASCL reserve the right to amend the programme should circumstances dictate

08.45				Registration and exhibition
09.30				Welcome and introductions Vicky Gough, Schools Adviser, British Council Suzanne O’Farrell, ASCL MFL Consultant
09.35				The value of languages to the UK Speaker tbc
09.50				The value of languages in the inclusive school Sir Ian Bauckham CBE, Chief Regulator, Ofqual Sir Ian will explore the fundamental purpose of learning languages for all students from an educational and social perspective in an AI enabled world. He will reflect on how recent developments in language study can promote engagement and grow self efficacy and confidence.
10.15				Keynote Bernardette Holmes MBE, Director, National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE) (invited) Tracy Williams, Subject Pedagogy Lead for MFL, Arthur Terry SCITT Georgina Jackson, Curriculum Leader of MFL and ADI, Tudor Grange Academy
10.50				Refreshment break and exhibition
11.10				Headteacher Panel - Developing strategy for languages growth and success (Part 1) Chair: Suzanne O’Farrell Panellists: Anna Ford, Headteacher, Sidney Stringer Academy Luke Payton, Principal, St Augustine’s Catholic High School and Sixth Form Senior leaders will discuss the following potential questions: Effective line management of languages departments when you’re not a linguist School’s response to CAR for languages What are your preferred curriculum models for languages and why? What does transition between key stages look like in your school? How do you support professional learning for language leaders in your school?  How has your school’s languages education vision come about?
11.45				Keynote Gillian Machin, Policy Adviser, Department for Education
12.10				The changing education landscape and its impact on languages Tom Middlehurst, Deputy Director of Policy, ASCL Tom will explore the implications recent policy including the Curriculum and Assessment Review, changes to Progress 8 and KS4 accountability, the schools white paper, and qualification reform on the strategic leadership of languages. This will include a practical timeline of when changes are coming, and the role that languages will play in the government’s vision for education in the future.
12.40				Lunch and exhibition
13.20				The renewed inspection framework and its impact on MFL leaders in schools and colleges Andy Jordan, Inspection and Accountability Specialist, ASCL In this session Andy will cover the essentials about inspection under the renewed framework. He will focus upon the evaluation areas that are having the most impact on curriculum leaders and share findings from the first wave of inspections. The session will shine a spotlight on how leaders of MFL can contribute towards excellent outcomes for their school / college in the inclusion and curriculum and teaching evaluation areas.
13.45				The contribution of language learning and oracy to the curriculum Crista Hazell, ALL Development Manager, Association for Language Learning How language education supports and enhances your school's work on tolerance, values education, communication and oracy. Languages provide the platform by which your learners grow as humans, celebrate diversity and their linguistic agility expressing themselves with confidence, clarity and embracing otherness.
13.55				Headteacher Panel - Developing strategy for languages growth and success (Part 2) Chair: Rene Kogelbauer, Professor of Learning and Leadership, Newcastle University Panellists: Rebecca Bollands MBE, Headteacher, Earlsdon Primary School Jane Driver, Principal, North Cambridge Academy Kathy Hersh, Assistant Headteacher, St Bartholomew’s School Carla Tranter, Headteacher, Hamsetead Hall Academy Senior leaders will discuss the following potential questions: How do the languages taught in your school embody your school’s values and ethos? How can language learning contribute to raising standards in oracy? How do you support home, heritage and community languages in your school? In what ways does your school offer opportunities for language learners to experience languages beyond the curriculum? How do you support recruitment and retention of languages teachers ? What successful strategies have you used to maintain numbers in your school?
14.30				Refreshment break and exhibition
14.45				Erasmus+ Supporting school partnerships and cultural visits - what this could mean for you and your school? Speaker tbc
15.00				Closing remarks Rene Kogelbauer
15.10				Close

Who can attend?

Language teachers and leads, Heads of Department, Assistant Heads and Deputy Heads, in secondary, primary and trusts

Day

16 June 2026
time

08:45 - 15:15
location

Birmingham
Day

See 'fees' tab below