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: What has the ISC ever done for us? In this session, CEO Julie Robinson and Head of Media and Communications Sarah Cunnane will provide an overview of how ISC works on behalf of independent schools across the UK.
Speaker: Julie Robinson - CEO, ISC and Sarah Cunnane – Head of Media and Communications, 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 |