Join hundreds of school and trust leaders at ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ’s flagship annual event, made extra special this year as we celebrate 20 years of ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ and championing good governance. It’s a day designed to strengthen your governance journey and give you the tools, insights, and connections to drive real change.
Featuring keynote sessions from Emma Balchin, Chief Executive of ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ; Dame Christine Gilbert CBE, Chair of the Ofsted Board; and Evelyn Forde MBE, Leadership and School Improvement Expert, the event also offers thought-provoking discussions and practical workshops, this is your chance to stay ahead of the curve, influence the future of education, and connect with a national community dedicated to improving outcomes for all pupils.Ìý
Don’t miss this landmark celebration - be part of our 20th anniversary and shape what comes next.
Sponsored by:
Insights from leading experts
Hear from education experts through inspiring keynotes and workshops.
Networking opportunities
Engage with governors, trustees, and education leaders to grow your network.
Actionable strategies and tools
Take away practical solutions and resources to strengthen your governance.
Tailored to you
Get tailored strategies and guidance for your governance role.
Programme
Registration opens and refreshments are served.
Local Associations network will meet in the syndicate rooms.
Opening remarks by the conference compere, Casey Bailey and ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ's Chief Executive, Emma Balchin.Ìý
Casey Bailey is the Birmingham Poet Laureate 2020 – 2022 and the Greater Birmingham Future Face of Arts and Culture 2020.
with Emma Balchin
Five workshop sessions to choose from.
1. AI
Details to be announced.Ìý
Speaker:
- Rob Peters, Director of Marketing and Communications, ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ
2. Legal updates
Details to be announced.Ìý
Speaker:
- Browne Jacobson
3. Strategic voices: the three strands of interdependent leadership
Join the co-authors of the ‘Three Strands of Leadership’ report and see how to build strong schools and trusts through education, business and governance leadership.ÌýThis report is the result of a valued partnership between three national organisationsÌýrepresentingÌýthe core strands of leadership across the English education system: the ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ (¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ), the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL). This session will explore the key findings, discuss the areas for sector-wideÌýreflectionÌýand offer attendees ideas for how they can reflect on their own organisation practice. The panel will also discuss the critical interdependencies of the three strands of leadership and how to address the common barriers and pitfalls that cause leadership fragmentationÌý
Learning outcomesÌý
- Understand more clearly what the three strands of leadership are their critical interdependencies.Ìý
- IdentifyÌýthe common barriers and pitfalls that cause leadership fragmentation.Ìý
- Enable leaders to reflect constructively on their organisational practices.Ìý
Speakers:
- Sam HensonÌý– Deputy Chief Executive, ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ
- Emma Harrison, ASCL Business Leadership Specialist
- Bethan Cullen, Deputy CEO, Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL)Ìý
4. The power of dataÌý
School performance headlines can hideÌýimportant differences in how groups of pupils achieve. This practical workshop helps governors and trustees move beyond averages to understand the data that truly matters.Ìý
Speaker:
- Andrew Hill, Head of Educational Partnerships at FFT Education
5. PromotingÌýa culture ofÌýwellbeing inÌýyour school or trustÌýÌý
How can youÌýensureÌýyourÌýpupils are the happiest and healthiest they could be?ÌýÌý
This workshop will explore how governors and trustees can actively promote a culture of wellbeing that supports both pupils and staff. Drawing on insights from the Well Schools collective, the session will connect wellbeing to strategic governance by:Ìý
- exploring the role of governance in shaping a culture of wellbeing Ìý
- introduce the Well Schools framework as one example of a whole-school approach Ìý
- provide practical insights into how this work looks in day to day school life
Speaker:
- Well Schools
Refreshments
Christine Gilbert, Chair of the Ofsted Board delivers a keynote address.
We will update the lunch selection on this page closer to the event. Make sure to let us know your dietary requirements when making the booking so we can ensure these are adhered to.Ìý
Five workshop sessions to choose from.
1. AI
Details to be announced.Ìý
Speaker:
- Rob Peters, Director of Marketing and Communications, ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ
2. The role of DPO
Details to be announced.Ìý
Speakers:
- Dai Durbridge, Partner and Education Lawyer, Browne Jacobson
- Claire Archibald, Legal Director, Browne Jacobson
3. The roleÌýofÌýgoverningÌýboards in the evolving complaints landscape
A session to explore how governing boards and governance professionals can respond effectively to evolving parental complaints, including looking at culture and strategic leadership in balancing strategic oversight with transparency and fairness (relationship with both senior leaders and parents), policy, and how to effectively manage a panel.
Speakers:
- Ruth Agnew MBE, Strategic Lead for Governance Professionals, ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ
- Deiniol Sandford, Senior Advice Officer, ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ
4. Closing the gap: practical approaches to poverty and equityÌýÌý
Make links to schools and the 4thÌýemergency service. Support governors/trustees ensure poverty considerations are embedded across policy, culture,ÌýdecisionÌýmakingÌýand accountability.ÌýÌý
Understand how poverty impactsÌýpupils throughÌýattendance, behaviour, attainment, wellbeing.ÌýÌý
IdentifyÌýwhere school systems unintentionally exclude or penalise pupils experiencing poverty.ÌýÌý
Apply a poverty informed lens to governance decisions,ÌýpoliciesÌýand resources.ÌýÌý
AskingÌýthe rightÌýquestions toÌýsenior leadersÌýeffectively.Ìý
Speakers:
Details to be announced.
5. Sustainability: where to startÌý
Details to be announced.
Refreshments
Leading Governance Certificate Presentation.
In a system focused on accountability, compliance and outcomes, governance holds significant power. But governance is not neutral. The decisions boards make and the way they make them shape not only institutions, but the lived experiences of leaders, staff, pupils and families.
Drawing on her experience as a headteacher, system leader and national speaker, Evelyn FordeÌýinvites governors and trustees to reflect on the unseen impact of their role. This keynote will explore how bias, boardroom culture and representation influence decision-making, and why legality does not always equate to fairness in practice.
Through powerful storytelling and practical insight, Evelyn will challenge boards to move beyond compliance and consider what it truly means to lead with courage, care and responsibility. Delegates will leave with a renewed understanding of their influence and one critical question to take back to their board:Ìý ÌýWho is thriving under your governance… and who is surviving it?
Close of the conference by ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ's Chief Executive, Emma Balchin.
Speakers
Dame Christine Gilbert CBE
Chair of the Ofsted Board
Dame Christine Gilbert DBE served as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills from 2006 to 2011. Originally trained as a history teacher, she later became a secondary headteacher and then Director of Education in Harrow and Tower Hamlets, where she led improvements in school performance before becoming Chief Executive of Tower Hamlets. Since leaving Ofsted, she has undertaken a number of public service and education reviews and has been a Visiting Professor at the UCL Institute of Education for over a decade. In June 2025, she returned to Ofsted as Chair of the Ofsted Board.
Evelyn Forde MBE
Leadership and School Improvement Expert
Evelyn Forde MBE is a leadership and school improvement expert with over two decades of experience across schools, trusts and wider education systems. Originally trained as a history teacher, she began her career in North London in 1999 and went on to become a Headteacher in 2015, leading significant school improvement through values-led leadership and a strong organisational culture. Since stepping down from Headship in 2023, she has built a portfolio career as a School Improvement Partner, member of a DfE RISE support team, executive leadership consultant, keynote speaker and coach. A Past President of ASCL, she is also the author of Herstory – A Leadership Manifesto and is currently writing Authentic Leadership: How to Win Hearts and Minds.
Casey Bailey
Birmingham Poet Laureate 2020–2022 and Greater Birmingham Future Face of Arts & Culture 2020
Casey Bailey is the Birmingham Poet Laureate (2020–2022) and the Greater Birmingham Future Face of Arts and Culture 2020. His poetry collection Please Do Not Touch was published by Burning Eye in 2021. He wrote The Ballad Of The Peaky Blinders for the BBC, winning a Webby Award in 2020. He was named one of Birmingham Live’s “30 under 30” in 2018 and holds a fellowship from the University of Worcester and an honorary doctorate from Newman University (2021).
The Vox Conference VenueÌý
Birmingham, B40 1PU
By train
If you’re heading to The Vox by train, you’ll find us located less than a ten-minute walk from Birmingham International train station. Just look for the Resorts World Arena when you arrive as we’re right next door. The Vox is also only 70 minutes by train from London and just 10 minutes by train from Birmingham City Centre. For the latest travel information visit our NEC campus travel updates page Find out more about access for visitors with disabilities.
Parking
The Vox is located at Resorts World Birmingham and is a stone’s throw from the NEC and Birmingham International Airport, both clearly signposted from all motorways and major routes including the M42, M40 & M6. Just 8 miles from Birmingham city centre and at the heart of the UK motorway network, the Vox is in the perfect location for car travel. For the latest travel information visit our NEC campus travel updates page Find out more about access for visitors with disabilities.