The School Improvement Conference 2026: Practical Strategies & Evidence-Based Insights To Elevate Standards

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Overview

With the Schools White Paper, SEND Reform, and the updated Ofsted Inspection Framework reforming education and setting higher expectations, the need for school improvement has never been greater. Schools are under growing pressure to deliver high-quality teaching, a rich and effective curriculum, and equitable outcomes for all learners. Now more than ever, leaders and practitioners must embrace evidence-based strategies and innovative approaches to ensure every pupil reaches their full potential.

Join us at The School Improvement Conference 2026 to:

• Explore cutting-edge thinking in curriculum design and evolution, ensuring learning is ambitious and inclusive
• Gain actionable strategies to raise attainment and improve attendance
• Examine best-practices to foster a positive behaviour culture that supports learning and wellbeing
• Harness data and interventions to drive pupil performance
• Strengthen leadership, governance, and teacher development to embed sustainable improvements

This event will go beyond theory, delivering practical, evidence-based approaches that drive real and tangible school improvement. Delegates will leave equipped with actionable tools, proven frameworks, and concrete strategies to implement whole-school improvement, building schools that not only meet expectations but excel in delivering high-quality education for every learner.

Agenda

• 9.00am

  Registration

• 9.40am

  Chair’s Opening Remarks

  Paul Butler, Director of School Improvement, Exceed Academies Trust (invited)

• 9.50am

  Keynote: Navigating the New Ofsted Inspection Framework   

  • An overview of Ofsted’s New Inspection Framework and guidance on key priorities to decipher what they signal about national expectations for school quality
  • Equipping institutions with the practical tools and strategies to prepare effectively for the changing criteria, evaluation areas, and five-point grading scale
  • Assessing the implications of the changes to the framework for school leaders
  • Translating recommendations into a focused school improvement plan aligned to curriculum quality, inclusion, safeguarding, and leadership capacity

  Tracy Fielding HMI, Deputy Director for Schools and Early Education, Ofsted (invited)

• 10.10am

  Keynote: Leading Curriculum Reform and Evolution

  • Understand the drivers of curriculum reform and national priorities, including knowledge sequencing, skills development, and cross-curricular integration
  • Translate policy changes into actionable school-level curriculum plans that are ambitious, inclusive, and sequenced for progression
  • Use curriculum design to improve inspection outcomes, pupil engagement and long-term attainment
  • Implement curriculum evolution that delivers measurable improvements in learning and engagement

  Gary Haines, Head of School, Chingford Foundation School (invited)

• 10.30am

  Questions and Answers

• 10.50am

  Comfort Break

• 11.05am

  Case Study: Leadership, Governance and a High-Performance School Improvement Culture

  • Redefine governance and leadership structures to ensure every strategic decision accelerates pupil progress
  • Align governance and leadership around a shared improvement narrative
  • Demonstrate strategic intent through measurable milestones, accountability structures and curriculum impact
  • Embed a culture of continuous improvement across staff and curriculum

  Sir Hamid Patel, CEO, Star Academies (invited)

• 11.25am

  Keynote: Supporting Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Learners  

  • Place vulnerable and disadvantaged learners at the centre of curriculum design resource allocation by raising standards and providing high-quality support
  • Audit your current provision and implement whole-school inclusion strategies which measurably close gaps in attainment, attendance and wellbeing
  • Decipher what the new safeguarding “met” or “not met” judgement means in practice
  • Integrate safeguarding into daily routines, culture and development so protection becomes proactive and not procedural

  Thomas Keaney, CEO and Founder, The Complete Education Solution (TCES) Group (invited)

• 11.45am

  Case Study: SEND and Inclusion Reform 

  • Demonstrate the impact of targeted and specialist interventions on pupil progress, inclusion and wellbeing
  • Develop a unified inclusion roadmap that integrates SEND reform into curriculum and leadership accountability
  • Strengthen provision mapping, IEP quality, and progress monitoring to evidence clear impact
  • Align SEND strategies with whole-school improvement priorities
  • Use robust data and pupil voice to inform strategic decisions and resource deployment

  Anna Heaton, Executive Principal and Trust Lead for Secondary SEND and Inclusion, Delta Academies Trust (invited)

• 12.05pm

  Questions and Answers

• 12.25pm

  Lunch Break

• 1.05pm

  Case Study: Improving Attainment and Attendance

  • Deep dive into the relationship between attendance, engagement and academic outcomes, identifying high-impact interventions
  • Develop strategies to tackle persistent absence and improve punctuality across all student groups
  • Identify attainment gaps and implement targeted interventions that are measurable and sustainable
  • Implement integrated plan linking attendance initiatives with academic support to close gaps and raise overall school performance

  Meg Powell-Chandler, Director, New Schools Network (invited)

• 1.25pm

  Case Study: Behaviour Culture and Positive Learning Environments

  • Establish a consistent behaviour policy that balances high expectations with restorative practice
  • Embed proactive strategies to prevent disruption, improve engagement and create safe and respectful classrooms
  • Transform behaviour management into a strategic improvement tool that directly supports teaching quality, pupil wellbeing and inspection readiness

  Sir Dan Moynihan, CEO, the Harris Federation (invited)

• 1.45pm

  Questions and Answers

• 2.05pm

  Breakout Networking: Working Collaboratively to Improve Education Standards

  Join our breakout networking to connect with teachers, leaders and policymakers dedicated to improving education standards. This session allows delegates to share challenges and explore collaborative approaches to improve education standards and align priorities. Leave with practical strategies and a strong network to support the future of education.

• 2.35pm

  Comfort Break 

• 2.50pm

  Case Study: Driving Pupil Performance Through Data and Intervention

  • Use assessment data strategically to inform teaching, learning and targeted interventions
  • Monitor progress in real-time to identify barriers and adapt provision quickly
  • Embed high-impact teaching strategies and personalised learning to accelerate progress
  • Establish a culture where data drives decisions, interventions are timely, and pupil progress is maximised sustainably

  Tom Rees, CEO, Ormiston Academies Trust (invited)

• 3.10pm

  Panel: Prioritising Teacher Wellbeing, Development and Workload Management 

  • Assess the impact of increased workloads on teachers today and what measures can be taken to improve wellbeing
  • Use staff feedback and monitoring to proactively address stress, burnout and retention risks
  • Embed mental health and wellbeing training as part of development opportunities and professional growth
  • Identifying practical strategies to reduce workload while maintaining high-quality teaching

  Kulvarn Atwal, Head Learning Leader, Highlands Primary School (invited)

  Angi Gibson, President, National Association of Headteachers (invited)

  Lia Commissar, Head of Impact, National Institute of Teaching (invited)

• 3.40pm

  Questions and Answers

• 4.00pm

  Chair’s Closing Remarks

  Paul Butler, Director of School Improvement, Exceed Academies Trust (invited)

• 4.10pm

  Conference Close

Previous Speakers

Dr Vasilis Strogilos

Associate Professor

University of Southampton

Adrian Gray

Former HMI, Ofsted and Education Consultant & Founder

The River Education Services Ltd

Naheeda Maharasingam

Head Teacher

Rathfern Primary School

Adam Bones

Director of School Improvement

Woodard Academies Trust

Meng Tian

Associate Professor in Educational Leadership

University of Birmingham

Thomas Kearney

CEO

The Complete Education Solution

Get in Touch

Testimonials

Why You Should Attend

✓ High-level keynotes from leading organisations on school improvement and raising standards
✓ Hear the latest updates from the Schools White Paper, SEND Reform and Ofsted Inspection Framework
✓ Strategies and tools from primary and secondary schools on driving school improvements
✓ Networking opportunities with speakers and senior colleagues across the education sector
✓ 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota

Who Should Attend

Pricing Options

Sponsorship

Raise Your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business

If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE

IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.

Virtual vs F2F

Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:

• Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
• Lower sponsorship package costs
• No travel/accommodation
• Less time out of the office
• No stand materials required (lower costs)
• 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
• Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
• Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
• Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)

To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below: