ASCL People and Culture Conference

9.20am

Provocation One:
The workforce reality: where are we now?
Louise Hatswell, Conditions of Employment: Pay Specialist, ASCL
Kathryn Morgan, Leadership and Workforce Specialist, ASCL
This keynote will set the scene for the day, grounding our conversations in the current reality facing schools and colleges. Drawing on the latest data and sector insights, it will explore workforce pressures including recruitment, retention, workload and wellbeing. Through a people and culture lens, we will highlight key trends, challenges and emerging opportunities - providing a clear, evidence-based picture of where the education workforce stands now and what this means for the discussions ahead.

• Katie Tyson, Deputy Director – Supporting and Rewarding School Staff, School Workforce Directorate, DfE
• Taryn Edge, Director of People and Organisational Development, Astrea Academy Trust
• Beryce Nixon OBE, CEO, Exceed Learning Partnership
• Gemma Scotcher, Director of Communications, Education Support
• Amy Whittall, Executive Director for Trust Development, The Mercian Trust
• ​Jagdeep Pabla, Founder, National Education Diversity Awards  

Workshop sessions (Select one and join breakout room)

Beyond CPD: Building an Evidence-Led Professional Learning Ecosystem
Beryce Nixon OBE, CEO, Exceed Learning Partnership
 
High-performing organisations do not leave professional growth to chance. They create the conditions for people to learn, lead and flourish every day. This workshop shares how Exceed Learning Partnership has designed an evidence-informed professional learning ecosystem that unites teaching, leadership and organisational culture. Explore a coherent approach that strengthens professional expertise, develops leadership at every level and embeds continuous improvement through research, reflection and deliberate practice.

Retention - Balancing Workload and Wellbeing
Gemma Scotcher, Director of Communications, Education Support
Recruitment may dominate the headlines, but retention is where system pressures are most acutely felt. Drawing on De Neve and Ward’s evidence on the drivers of workplace wellbeing and insights from Revisiting the Retention Crisis, this session explores how school leaders can shift from firefighting to a more strategic, preventative approach. We’ll unpack the key conditions that shape whether staff stay, leave or disengage, and identify practical levers leaders can use to build healthier, more sustainable workplaces.

12.55pm
 

12.55pm



 

1.15pm





1.35pm
 

Provocation Three: People strategies and supportive school environments
Keynotes (20 minutes each) followed by case studies (10 minutes each)

Thriving educators build thriving schools 
Jagdeep Pabla, Founder, National Education Diversity Awards
Teaching is one of the most purpose-driven professions, yet many educators continue navigating cultures not designed for long-term sustainability. In this keynote, Jagdeep Pabla, Founder of the National Education Diversity Awards (NEDA), explores the link between workforce culture, inclusion and retention, whilst celebrating the schools and leaders creating environments where staff can truly thrive.

Creating a organisation wide, cultural Blueprint as the foundation for your people strategy
Amy Whittall, Executive Director for Trust Development, The Mercian Trust
This session will explore the value of and approach to articulating a shared leadership and organisational culture before committing to writing a people strategy. The session will also explore reflections on benchmarking and developing this culture through data and intentional leadership development.

Flexible working as a retention strategy
Antonia Spinks, CEO, Pioneer Educational Trust 
In the Schools White Paper 2026, the DfE has made the commitment to launch a new retention programme for schools, with one core area being flexible working. This session will make the case for why a coherent and coordinated approach to staff retention is essential and why flexible working is key to achieving this.

1.45pm

1.45pm





1.55pm




 

Case Studies

Taryn Edge, Director of People and Organisational Development, Astrea Trust 
Astrea is committed to being a life and family friendly employer, creating supportive environments that make working in education a sustainable and fulfilling career choice.  Our case study highlights the work undertaken so far to harmonise our offer across teaching and support staff to create equity in areas important to our people.

Antonia Spinks, CEO, Pioneer Educational Trust
Building on the keynote as to why flexible working is a priority now, the case study will explain how Pioneer Educational Trust has designed a practical and innovative strategy for flexible working in schools.

2.30pm

Workshop sessions (Select one and join breakout room) 

Creating the right culture through inclusive and ethical leadership
Jagdeep Pabla, National Education Diversity Awards
What happens when we stop asking our colleagues to simply survive the profession and instead support them to build cultures when people genuinely thrive? Drawing on powerful examples emerging through the National Education Diversity Awards, this workshop explores the leadership decisions, policies and cultural shifts already helping schools and trusts strengthen retention, wellbeing, inclusion and long-term workforce sustainability.

Developing a meaningful people strategy
Amy Whittall, Executive Director for Trust Development, The Mercian Trust
This session will explore provocations about what a people strategy is, and importantly isn't, and the ways in which organisational culture and intentional planning are key to building a strategy which can endure. We will look together at some of the core questions to ask when developing a strategy, which assumptions it may be important to consider (both those which might be known and unknown) and the importance of risk appetite when developing your strategy.  The session will share examples which highlight the role of culture, intentionality and innovation in delivering your strategy.

3.30pm

Closing remarks
Louise Hatswell

Additional resources in your delegate pack:
​Case Study from Cooper Parry
Pay and Conditions Update
Beyond Performance – Appraisal for Professional Growth