Leadership Essentials

Qualification reform with AQA
Details to follow.

SEND reforms into action with Margaret Mulholland
Drawing on recent policy developments, evidence and leadership experience, this breakout will consider what meaningful inclusion looks like beyond compliance: clear accountability, confident workforce development, robust graduated response, and high expectations for every pupil. Margaret will focus on the systems, structures, and relationships that leadership teams can directly influence. Participants will reflect on the decisions that sit within their control, identify common implementation barriers, and leave with practical approaches for turning reform into sustained improvements in pupils’ experience, participation and outcomes.

Developing a PPG strategy with Tiffnie Harris
Tiffnie will begin this breakout with a summary of why outcomes for disadvantaged learners can remain consistently lower than non-disadvantaged, despite a range of whole school strategies. 

Supporting schools with inclusion and SEND through accredited online provision with Academy 21
Details to follow. 

One Year On: A review of the renewed Ofsted framework with Andy Jordan
In this breakout, Andy Jordan will provide a detailed review of the renewed Ofsted framework highlighting themes that have emerged since inspections began in November 2025. Andy will also provide clarity on some common misconceptions and share some ‘top tips’ when preparing for an inspection.

Post-16 Essentials: Navigating reform and leading change with Claire Green
The post-16 landscape is undergoing significant change. This breakout will provide a concise update on the key policy, qualification and accountability reforms shaping post-16 education, including curriculum and assessment developments, vocational and technical qualifications, accountability measures, and progression expectations. Participants will explore what these changes mean for schools and colleges and consider how best to respond within their own contexts. Through discussion and practical reflection, participants will gain a clearer understanding of emerging challenges and opportunities and leave better equipped to make informed strategic decisions that support high-quality post-16 provision and positive outcomes for young people.

Income generation and maximising value for pupils with Vivify
Details to follow. 

Flexible Working: Turning policy into strategy with Louise Hatswell
Recruiting, retaining and supporting talented staff remains one of the most significant challenges facing schools and trusts. Supported by recent legislative changes, DfE priorities and evidence from education and beyond, flexible working is increasingly becoming a strategic workforce consideration. This breakout will explore the latest developments, national resources and examples of effective practice. We will examine how leaders can ensure compliance with changing legal requirements while adopting a more proactive and strategic approach to flexible working, helping to improve wellbeing, inclusion, workforce sustainability and organisational effectiveness, while creating an attractive and resilient workplace for the future.

Leading Through Reform: Creating the capacity for change with Kathryn Morgan  Ambitious reform does not implement itself. As SEND, curriculum, accountability and workforce reforms converge, school and college leaders face the challenge of turning national policy into sustainable change locally. This interactive session explores what leaders need when organisations are being asked to change while simultaneously managing significant operational pressures. We will consider capacity as well as capability: time, relationships, professional agency, expertise and organisational space. We will also ask a deceptively simple question: if we are asking schools to do something new, what can they stop doing? Participants will leave with practical questions to help them lead change sustainably.

Next steps for the Curriculum and Assessment Review 
Details to follow. 

Funding implications for 2026/27 with Julia Harnden
This breakout will explore the key funding implications for 2026/27, alongside the strategic risks likely to shape the sector over the coming years, including workforce costs, SEND pressures, demographic change and capital needs. Participants will consider how to strengthen financial resilience, make informed strategic choices and build robust plans that support both educational priorities and organisational sustainability.

1. Identify the most significant financial risks facing your organisation over the next 3-5 years.
2. Apply simple scenario-planning techniques to test financial resilience under different funding assumptions.
3. Develop a practical framework for aligning strategic priorities, resources and risk management.

Business leadership with Emma Harrison
Leaders face an increasingly complex landscape of statutory responsibilities, operational challenges and strategic priorities. This breakout session will help leaders identify the key business leadership issues that require attention throughout the academic year and consider how these align with wider organisational leadership responsibilities.