The School Improvement Conference 2026: Practical Strategies and Evidence-Based Insights to Elevate Standards
Supporters Include
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
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Chrissa Wadlow, Founder, Sunshine Support (CONFIRMED)
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
Debbie Clinton Former HMI, Chair of Trustees, Ebor Academy Trust (CONFIRMED)
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
Emily Verow, CEO, Three Spires Trust (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Case Study: Leadership, Governance and a High-Performance School Improvement Culture
- Redefine governance and leadership structures to ensure strategic decisions drive sustainable school improvement across trusts and regions
- Align governance, executive leadership, and system partners around a shared improvement narrative
- Demonstrate strategic intent through measurable milestones, strong accountability frameworks, and transparent performance oversight
- Embed a culture of continuous improvement across organisations, leadership teams, and school improvement networks
Tim Coulson, Director General, Regions Group, Department for Education (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Best-Preparing for Inspection – Evidence, Process and Mindset
- Understanding the full suite of tools, templates, and checklists provided in the new toolkit for inspection readiness
- Organising evidence efficiently to demonstrate impact across all new evaluation areas
- Improving staff preparation strategies to maintain confidence whilst reducing stress during inspections
- Embedding a school-wide mindset of continuous improvement rather than reactive preparation to upcoming inspections
Ross Ashcroft, Executive Headteacher, Tettenhall Wood and Penn Hall School* (CONFIRMED)
*Joint first special school in the country to be inspected under the new framework
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 McMorrin, Executive Headteacher and Director of School Improvement, Aurora Academies Trust (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Lunch Break
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
David Webber, Head Teacher, Amesbury Archer Primary School (CONFIRMED)
Fireside Chat: 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
Tracy Goodyear, Director of Teacher Development, The Mercian Trust (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
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.
Comfort Break
Case Study: The Role of Inclusion Bases in the Education of Students with SEND in Mainstream Schools
- Considering the role of inclusion bases within a whole-school SEND approach
- Enhancing the inclusion of students with SEND through inclusion bases
- Aligning SEND strategies with whole-school improvement priorities
- Informing the development of Ofsted criteria for whole-school SEND provision
- Identifying next steps for measuring the effectiveness of inclusion bases
Dr Vasilis Strogilos, Associate Professor, Inclusive Education, Special Educational Needs and/or Disability, University of Southampton (CONFIRMED)
Queen Mary’s Grammar School Panel: Behaviour Culture and Positive Learning Environments
- Explore how belonging sits at the heart of effective behaviour culture and positive learning environments – with a panel representing strategic leadership, operational systems, pastoral support, year group leadership and classroom practice
- Learn practical approaches to identifying and supporting pupils who don’t feel they belong – from early intervention through welfare services to restorative behaviour management and inclusive classroom practice
- Discover how schools can build sustainable systems where staff at every level work together to create a culture of inclusion, safety and high expectations that drives attendance and achievement
Rahila Naguthney, Assistant Headteacher (Behaviour and Attendance), Deputy DSL, Queen Mary’s Grammar School (CONFIRMED)
Karishma Mistry, Geography Teacher (ECT), Queen Mary’s Grammar School (CONFIRMED)
David Best, Maths Teacher and Head of Year, Queen Mary’s Grammar School (CONFIRMED)
Maggie Hayden, Senior Behaviour Manager, Queen Mary’s Grammar School(CONFIRMED)
Donna Hill, Welfare Services Manager and Young Carers Operational Lead, Queen Mary’s Grammar School (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Chrissa Wadlow, Founder, Sunshine Support (CONFIRMED)
Conference Close
Speakers
Tim Coulson
Tim Coulson, Director General, Regions Group
Department for Education
Tracy Goodyear
Director of Teacher Development
The Mercian Trust
Debbie Clinton
Former HMI, Chair of Trustees
Ebor Academy Trust
Chrissa Wadlow
Founder
Sunshine Support
Emily Verow
CEO
Three Spires Trust
Vasilis Strogilos
Associate Professor, Inclusive Education, Special Educational Needs and or Disability
University of Southampton
David Webber
Head Teacher
Amesbury Archer Primary School
Ross Ashcroft
Executive Headteacher
Tettenhall Wood and Penn Hall School
Rahila Naguthney
Assistant Headteacher - Behaviour and Attendance
Queen Mary's Grammar School (Walsall)
Thomas McMorrin
Executive Headteacher and Director of School Improvement,
Aurora Academies Trust
Get in Touch
Testimonials
Great range of speakers and relevant content.
An informative session with a range of topics discussed.
Perfectly interactive I would say that it was the best investment of time and money that I have experienced for CPD.
Helpful to hear the views of people currently in the profession and their experiences and guidance.
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
| Job Title Examples | Organisation Examples |
| Headteacher | Local Education Authorities |
| Curriculum co-ordinator | Ofsted |
| School Improvement Advisor | DFE |
| School Inspectors | Teaching Schools Hub |
| Subject Leaders | Education and Skills Funding Agency |
| Education Consultant | Multi-Academy Trusts |
Pricing Options
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
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:
