Sorry to disappoint you, this event is sold out.
We occasionally receive last minute cancellations. If you would like to be added to our waiting list, contact [email protected]
Friday 14th November 2025
Innovation, Inclusion, and Integrity: The Future of School Leadership
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” ― Barack Obama
With thanks to our conference sponsors...
Womble Bond Dickinson
At Womble Bond Dickinson, we understand that education today is about more than teaching, it also involves navigating a complex legal and regulatory landscape with confidence. Our nationally recognised education team supports schools, academies, colleges, universities, and educational charities with practical, forward-thinking legal advice that makes your job easier.
Whether you're expanding your Academy Trust through academy conversions and trust mergers, managing your school estate, looking for governance and charity law advice, dealing with safeguarding concerns, employment matters, data protection, intellectual property issues or responding to regulatory pressures, our team is here to guide you. We combine deep sector knowledge with the breadth of a full-service law firm, helping you make informed decisions every step of the way.
We are ranked by Chambers UK as one of the leading specialist school and academy legal practices and we are known by our clients for providing a responsive and down-to-earth service, whilst delivering on value for money.
Womble Bond Dickinson provides you with expert guidance, so you can focus on shaping the future of education.
Confirmed keynote speakers for 2025
Tier Blundell
Advocate, writer and educational specialist
Tier Blundell is an inspiring speaker, educator, and the founder of Excluded From School, a nonprofit organisation advocating for students who the education system has marginalised. With a powerful personal journey marked by early school exclusion, ADHD, and societal challenges, Tier defied expectations to achieve academic success, ultimately earning a PhD from the University of Oxford - the first known person from a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) to do so. Tier’s story is a testament to resilience, the transformative power of belief, and the importance of never writing anyone off. Through his talks, he shines a light on the systemic barriers excluded students face and offers a passionate call for equity, inclusion, and hope. Tier engages audiences with his raw authenticity, lived experience, and a vision for a world where every child is given the chance to thrive. Tier has appeared the BBC radio and television, including on BBC Radio 4, Radio Five Live, BBC Breakfast, Crimewatch and The Late Show.
Dan Fitzpatrick: The AI Educator
Expert in the future of emergent technology in the education sector, author and speaker.
Dan Fitzpatrick is an international keynote speaker and author of the bestselling book The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education. Known as The AI Educator, he works with schools, universities, and businesses across the UK, USA, and the Far East to support the integration of AI in education. Dan also writes a weekly column for Forbes on educational transformation, offering insights for educators, parents, and entrepreneurs on the evolving role of AI in learning. Dan is seen regularly in the media. Recent appearences have been on CNN, Sky News, ITV News, BBC Breakfast, Radio 4, PBS, Time Magazine and Good Morning Britain.
Nia Richards
Director - Creativity, Culture and Education
Nia Richards has been designing and supporting professional learning in creativity since 2015, firstly, as Regional Lead for a national programme in Wales and currently as Director of CCE. For almost two decades and in over 20 countries, CCE has been transforming education globally by nurturing creative thinking. Since joining CCE in 2021, she has led the North East Creativity Collaborative. She played a key role alongside Prof. Bill Lucas in developing Creative Thinking in Schools: A Leadership Playbook. Previously, Nia served as Regional Lead for a Welsh Government and Arts Council of Wales creative learning program, supporting over 150 schools in adopting innovative teaching approaches. In 2020, she founded Tybed, a social enterprise focused on school innovation and community partnerships, while also contributing to UNESCO’s Futures of Education report. She holds an M.A. in Practitioner Research, specialising in dialogic feedback, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Andy Hill
Director and Co-Founder of Voicebox CIC
Voicebox CIC, is an organisation dedicated to challenging harmful male gender stereotypes. Since its founding in 2018, Voicebox has delivered workshops to thousands of participants and partnered with hundreds of organisations. With a background in applied theatre and facilitation, they lead initiatives that support young people in redefining masculinity on their own terms. Voicebox provides expert facilitators; their workshops, assemblies and projects are designed to empower participants to promote and embody healthy masculinity, tackle 'toxic masculinity' (or what they call unhealthy masculinity), challenge misogyny, prioritise mental, physical and social well-being and promote gender equality. Andy has recently been featured on BBC Radio 5 Live. Their work is supported by Arts Council England and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Ben Walden
Artistic Director of Contender Charlie
Ben Walden is an internationally renowned speaker and workshop leader, celebrated for his work in education, leadership, and the arts. As the Artistic Director of Contender Charlie, he has inspired audiences across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Australia, delivering keynote talks and transformative sessions for school leaders, educators, and students alike.
Drawing on a rich background in professional theatre—including leading roles in London’s West End and as an inaugural member of Shakespeare’s Globe—Ben brings a unique and compelling perspective to the themes of inspirational leadership and impactful communication. He is known for using the timeless narratives of Shakespeare to explore and illuminate modern leadership challenges in a deeply engaging and accessible way.
Ben has spoken at prestigious institutions such as Harvard and Columbia Business Schools and has led masterclasses for Shakespeare’s Globe Education Centre. Trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and with Uta Hagen in New York, his work continues to blend the power of storytelling with the principles of personal and organisational transformation.
What delegates said last year...
"Great conference- best CPD of the year that I attend."
“Wonderful day - really worthwhile and value for money.”
"A thoroughly great day, thought-provoking and enjoyable!”
"Well worth myself and my deputy head attending to be able to have the time and space to talk to each other."
"Fabulous organisation. Wonderful choices for speakers. Good facilities. Enjoyable conference.
Our new venue
The Met Hotel
5 King St, Leeds LS1 2HQ
We are delighted to be moving to a new venue this year, The Met in Leeds which is ideally positioned right next to train and bus links.
Transport
Travelling by Train?
We are pleased to be able to offer a 25% discount to those travelling using LNER. Book online using the code opposite.
Travelling by Car?
We are pleased to be able to offer a 30% discount to those who wish to park locally.
If you are travelling by car we have a Q-Park code to use for the Q-Park on Albion Street, about 7 minute walk from the Met Hotel.
Parking needs to be pre-booked via Q-Park’s website (https://www.q-park.co.uk/). When booking use the code opposite.
SPECIAL OFFER
Bring your team and save £98!
Yes, that is right! We have a multi-ticket offer so you can come as a group of three leaders in your school and save almost £100. For those wishing to book a larger group and even reserve a table, email [email protected].
Sorry to disappoint you, this event is sold out.
We occasionally receive last minute cancellations. If you would like to be added to our waiting list, contact [email protected]