Innovation, Inclusion, and Integrity: The Future of School Leadership

Outline of the day

9.00 Welcome
9.15 Nia Richards
10.15 Andy Hill
11.05 Break
11.35 Dan Fitzpatrick
12:35 Lunch
13:35 Ben Walden: Contender Charlie
14:35 Tier Blundell
15:30 Closing session

Welcome

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to our annual School Leaders’ Conference. I’m so pleased you’ve made the time to be here—to invest in yourself, your leadership, and the future of your school.

This year’s theme—innovation, inclusion and integrity—invites us to reflect on how we lead in times of change, how we continue to welcome and serve every child and family, and how we stay true to our values in the complexity of modern education.

It’s always a joy to see our Church school family gathered together. There is great strength in this community—rooted in shared vision, mutual support, and a commitment to the flourishing of all.

Thank you for all you do each day in your schools. I hope today brings you inspiration, encouragement and space to think about the future of school leadership—not just as a challenge to face, but a calling to grow into.

With every blessing,

Simone Bennett

Diocesan Director of Education

With thanks to our conference sponsors

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.

Our Conference Prayer

Loving God,

We gather today, grateful for the transforming gift of education that shapes hearts, minds and lives for the better.

As we hold before You our schools, our communities, and ourselves, renew in us Your call; 

that in every challenge faced, every hand extended and every heart encouraged, we may reflect the servant leadership of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve.

Inspire us, challenge us and remind us afresh of all that we are and all that we can be together.

May our conference be a source of wisdom, encouragement, hope and joy.

And when this day draws to a close, may we find ourselves strengthened to continue our journey with integrity, creativity and love.

Amen.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the young people and staff of St Aidan's High School, Harrogate. For leading our worship sessions today.

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