Conference for Academic Deputy Heads and Directors of Studies - Thursday 12 - Saturday 14 November 2026 (Park Regis Hotel, Birmingham)
A strategic conference for leaders of curriculum and academic provision, exploring the key issues shaping teaching, learning and academic excellence across schools.
Description
This conference aims to:
Focus on the key issues in improving learning and teaching for those who have responsibility for the school curriculum and academic matters.
This conference is for:
Academic Deputy Heads and Directors of Studies in independent schools.
**Please note: the delegate fee includes accommodation, meals and refreshments throughout the conference.**
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Time |
Session |
Room |
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Thursday 12 November 2026 |
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14.00 – 14.30 |
Arrival and Registration Refreshments from 13.30
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14.30 – 14.40 |
Welcome, opening remarks and introductions
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14.40 – 15.15
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State of the Nation Address
Speaker: Anne Cotton, HMC Chair and Head at King’s College School Wimbledon
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15.15 15.35 |
Education Update
Speaker: Kate Howell – Director of Education, HMC
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15.35 – 15.45 |
A word from our conference sponsor
Speaker: SDS
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15.45 – 16.15 |
Refreshments with exhibitors |
Exhibition |
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16.15 – 17.15 |
Keynote 1: Thinking with Purpose: Building a Culture of Critical Thinking
In this session, Britta will share the journey behind the development of Newington College’s Critical Thinking Centre, exploring what prompted the initiative, how the school approached its implementation, and what it has learned along the way. Delegates will gain practical ideas for the explicit teaching of critical thinking and analytical skills, with approaches that can be adapted to different subjects and school contexts. The session will offer both a strategic perspective for schools considering a similar approach and practical techniques that teachers can take back to the classroom.
Speaker: Dr Britta Jensen, Director, The Centre for Critical Thinking and Ethics, Newington College, Australia
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17.15 – 18.00 |
Women in Leadership networking meeting
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17.15 – 19.00 |
Free time |
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19.00 – 19.30 |
Private drinks reception - new Academic Deputy Heads and Directors of Studies
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19.00 – 19.30 |
Drinks – cash bar
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Hotel Bar |
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19.30 |
Conference Dinner
Dress code: smart/casual Seating Plan by Division
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Friday 13 November 2026 |
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07.00 – 08.45 |
Breakfast |
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08.15 - 08.45 |
Refreshments |
Exhibition |
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08.50 – 09.00 |
Welcome to Day 2
Speaker: Kate Howell – Director of Education, HMC
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09.00 – 10.00 |
Panel Session: Approaches to leading curriculum development in HMC schools’ Supported by the Curriculum and Assessment Working Group
Speakers: Rowena Hector, Deputy Head (Academic), Sidcot School Rachel Palmer, Deputy Head (Academic), Ibstock Place School Adèle Venter, Chair, Independent Schools Modern Languages Association
Chair: Jaideep Barot, Head at Bristol Grammar School and lead on the HMC Curriculum and Assessment Working Group
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10.00 – 10.05 |
Movement Time |
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10.05 – 10.55 |
Workshops (Session 1) 1. Curriculum Theory Speaker: Richard Bustin, Director of Pedagogy, Innovation and Staff Development, Lancing College 2. Helping Pupils to use Teacher Feedback Speaker: Professor Naomi Winstone – how pupils receive feedback
3. TBC 4. TBC
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10.55 – 11.25 |
Refreshment Break |
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11.25 – 12.15 |
Workshops (Session 2) 1. From Ai Chatbots to Curriculum: Building Sustainable AI Education in Schools Speaker: Adam Zivanic, Director of Digital Strategy at City Schools 2. Insights from the survey of Academic Deputy Heads: how schools are addressing the challenges of subject choice, timetabling and staffing structures Speaker: Madeleine Copin, Director, MSC Academics 3. Preparing for Headship Speaker: Jaideep Barot, Head, Bristol Grammar School 4. TBC
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12.15 – 12.20 |
Movement Time |
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12.20 – 13.05 |
Networking Session
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13.05 – 13.55 |
Lunch |
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13.55 – 14.55 |
Exam Board Panel Session
Panellists:
AQA: Amie Barr, Director of Assessment Cambridge OCR: Speaker TBC Pearson: Speaker TBC Cambridge International Examinations: Deborah Howes, Senior Assessment Advisor Eduqas: Sarah Ferguson, Director of Assessment, Ofqual: Jessica Lewis-Bell, Associate Director, Strategic Relationships
Chair: Lotte Tulloch, Head at Denstone College and Chair of HMC Education Committee
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14.55 – 15.00 |
Movement Time |
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15.00 – 15.50 |
1. TBC 2. CASE STUDY – Staff Development Speaker: Clare Tovey, Deputy Head – Learning at Royal Russell School 3. Evidence in action: doing, using and sharing research in schools Speakers: Emma Hellyer, Head of Assessment and Innovation, HMC, Dr Beth Kandemir, Educator and Researcher, Kingston Grammar School, 4. Working in Partnership: Building Trust and Managing Expectations with SEND Families Speaker: TBC
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15.50 – 16.20 |
Refreshment Break
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16.20 – 17.05 |
Networking Session |
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17.05 – 17.20
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SDS Heritage Session
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17.20– 19.00 |
Free time |
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19.00 – 19.30 |
Drinks reception with exhibitors |
Exhibition |
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19.30 |
Conference dinner Dress code: smart/casual Free Seating To feature Quiz |
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Saturday 14 November 2026 |
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07.30 – 09.00 |
Breakfast and room checkout |
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08.30 – 09.00 |
Refreshments |
Exhibition |
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09.00 – 10.00
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Employment Law
Speaker: Alistair Wood, CEO & Co-Founder, Edapt
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10.00 – 11.00 |
Panel Session: Ethical Leadership
Speakers: TBC
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11.00 – 11.30 |
Refreshment Break |
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11.30 – 12.30 |
Keynote: How do we support teachers to engage with evidence informed practice
Speaker: Amarbeer Singh Gill, Research School Deputy Director & Teacher Educator, Tudor Grange Research School |
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12.30 |
Closing remarks
Speaker: Kate Howell, Director of Education, HMC
Lunch and depart Packed Lunch Option Available
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This conference is sponsored by:
