Junior Heads' Conference - Wednesday 11 March - Thursday 12 March 2026 (The Welcombe Hotel, Stratford Upon Avon)
This course is for Junior Heads.
Description
Educating for Tomorrow: The Human Heart of Education
We are pleased to share the programme for our upcoming Junior Heads' Conference with this year's theme: Educating for Tomorrow: The Human Heart of Education
Please note: As part of the conference fee, accommodation for all delegates will be booked at The Welcombe Hotel on Wednesday 11 March 2026.
Conference Programme:
Day 1
|
Time |
Session |
Room |
|
Wednesday 11 March 2026 |
|
|
|
10.30 – 11.00 |
Arrival and Registration
|
Trevelyan Bar |
|
11.00 – 11.10 |
Welcome, opening remarks and introductions
Speaker: Rachel Cookson - Principal, Infant & Junior School, King’s School Macclesfield
|
The Welcombe Suite |
|
11.10 – 11.25 |
State of the Nation, the value and importance of HMCJ
Speaker: Philip Britton MBE - HMC Chair and Head of Foundation, Bolton School
|
The Welcombe Suite |
|
11.25 – 11.55 |
Keynote 1: The Dance of Leadership, Legacy and Limitation Speaker: Peju Abuchi - Award-winning poet, storyteller and orator, author of ‘A Poetic Odyssey of Proclamations’
|
The Welcombe Suite |
|
11.55 12.55 |
Keynote 2: Stemming the Tide of Child Anxiety
Speaker: Dr Aric Sigman - PSHE Health Education Expert
|
The Welcombe Suite |
|
12.55-13.15pm
|
Word from our Sponsors
Sponsor: QUEST Assessments Sponsor: Learning Skills Trust
|
The Welcombe Suite |
|
13.15 – 14.00 |
Lunch
|
Trevelyan Restaurant |
|
14.00 – 14.45 |
Keynote 3: Education Update
Speaker: Julie Robinson - CEO, ISC
|
The Welcombe Suite |
|
14.45 – 15.20 |
Keynote 4: Why did the children cross the road?
Speaker: Lex Lang - Deputy Head, Innovation and Partnership, Caterham School
|
The Welcombe Suite |
|
15.20 – 15.35 |
Refreshment Break |
The Great Hall |
|
15.35– 16.20 |
Keynote 5: Developing a coaching culture within schools to help staff to self-start and regulate
Speaker: Charlie Warshawski – Owner and Programme Lead, Love your Coaching
|
The Welcombe Suite |
|
16.20-17.40 |
Marketplace Facilitated Networking Session
16.20 – 16.25 Session Explanation 16.25 – 16.30 Movement to First Session 16.30 – 17.00 First Marketplace Session 17.00 – 17.05 Movement to Second Session 17.05 – 17.35 Second Marketplace Session
|
The Lady Bernard Suite
The Oak Room
The Welcombe Suite
The Garden Suite |
|
17.35 – 19.15 |
Free Time |
|
|
19.15 – 19.45 |
Drinks Reception |
The Great Hall |
|
19.45 |
Conference dinner Dress code: Smart/casual |
The Welcombe Suite |
Day 2
Thursday 12 March 2026 |
|
|
|
07.00 - 09.00 |
Breakfast - opportunity to check out of Hotel |
Trevelyan Restaurant |
|
09.00 – 09.10 |
Welcome Back
Speaker: Rachel Cookson - Principal, Infant & Junior School, King’s School Macclesfield
|
The Welcombe Suite |
|
09.10 - 9:55 |
Keynote 6: The educational needs of children born preterm
Speakers: Lady Sarra Hoy - Bliss Ambassador and Professor Sam Johnson - Professor of Child Development, University of Leicester
|
The Welcombe Suite |
|
9.55- 10.15 |
Refreshment Break and opportunity to check out of hotel |
The Great Hall |
|
10.15 - 11.15 |
Keynote 5: The relationships first approach
Speaker: Emily Rattenbury‑Barlow, Head of Therapy. Octavia House Schools
|
The Welcombe Suite |
|
11.15 – 11.20 |
Comfort break |
The Great Hall |
|
11.20 - 12.20 |
Keynote 6:Courageous leadership with clarity and heart
Speaker: Sue Woodroofe - Educational Consultant
|
The Welcombe Suite |
|
12.20 |
Closing remarks
Speaker: Rachel Cookson - Principal, Infant & Junior School, King’s School Macclesfield
Lunch and Depart
|
The Welcombe Suite |