Our Senior Leaders’ Conference this year is Exploring the Practical Impact of Your School’s Christian Vision. Join us as we delve into how your school’s Christian Vision can be meaningfully lived out in everyday practice. The day is designed to help you and ease the burden by working together to demonstrate what effective, actionable vision looks like. Our goal is to support, equip and empower schools to bring your vision to life within your school community.
We are privileged to be joined by our Keynote Speakers, Trevor Cooling, Emeritus Professor of Christian Education at Canterbury Christ Church University. In his session, Trevor will explore what the notion of a theologically rooted vision for Church of England schools might mean in practice.
Emily Norman, Head of Curriculum and Inclusion at the National Society for Education will present the Flourishing For All suite of guidance published earlier this year. Additionally, Emily will facilitate an afternoon workshop on the Strategic Approach to Racial Justice.
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Emeritus Professor of Christian Education at Canterbury Christ Church University
Trevor has worked in education for five decades variously as a secondary school teacher, diocesan adviser, charity CEO, government adviser, resource developer and university professor. He has a specialist interest in Anglican schools, both in England and Australia. He was Chair of the Religious Education Council of England and Wales from 2015-2021 and has been involved in many initiatives including the development of Understanding Christianity.
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Head of Curriculum & Inclusion at the National Society for Education
Emily oversees the NSE’s work around RE, collective worship, RHSE as well as our thinking in the diversity, equity and inclusion space. Emily was previously a primary headteacher, an RE consultant and a SIAMS inspector. Over the last year, she has been heading up the ‘Flourishing for All’ work, around preventing and tackling bullying based on a range of characteristics: Anti-bullying guidance for Church of England schools | The Church of England
Emily’s particular passion is in ensuring belonging for everyone, particularly those on the margins, and articulating how this emanates from our Christian vision for schools.
We are also delighted to welcome
Pupils from Woodchurch CE High School
The Bishop of Birkenhead, Rt Revd Julie Conalty
Workshop Sessions Overview
There’s an opportunity to join two of our afternoon workshops. The workshops seek to offer insight into how leaders can practically apply their school's theologically rooted Christian vision to shape Church school improvement. A registration form with workshop options will be sent to registered delegates in due course. Delegates will choose their workshop preferences.
These sessions will be delivered by key leads to incorporate your Vision:
A Strategic Approach to Racial Justice
Delivered by Emily Norman: Head of Curriculum and Inclusion at the National Society for Education
Racial justice is a national priority. This workshop helps schools understand how to create a culture that celebrates diversity, embraces differences, and reduces discrimination—making inclusion not an add-on, but an integral part of school life.
Vision in Action: Responding to Disadvantage
Delivered by Jo Powell, Headteacher, Lostock Gralam CE Primary School
In this workshop, Jo will reflect on the school’s journey with how challenging circumstances have influenced and shaped their vision. She will share the ways in which the school has adapted to support both families and the wider community, including the development of their social supermarket, as a practical and compassionate response to the needs of families. She will talk about how the vision has impacted on the entire school community and give examples of what this looks like in the very busy school day. This is the ongoing story of one school acting out their vision and adapting their response in light of challenging circumstances which we all face.
Pupils’ Research - Driving the Vision Forward
Delivered by Kate Appleby: Principal, Warmingham CE Primary School
Kate and a small group of pupils from the school, will be sharing their experience of how pupil-led research gives a unique opportunity for young voices to shape understanding around vision, advocacy and spirituality. Their work in this area has had great impact on school staff and pupils. They can begin to see how these aspects of school life connect to a wider vision. This work has been transformative in finding ways to make this vision clear and meaningful for all of the community.
INVESTMENT
Family of Schools member £225 - bundle discounts available.
Non-Family of Schools member £450
Bundle A - 1x Family of School @ £225, 1 x Family of School @£180
£405 (1st Family of School ticket at full price, 2nd at reduced rate)
Bundle B - 1 x Family of School @£225, 2 x Family of School @180
£585 (1st Family of School ticket at full price, 2nd & 3rd at reduced rate
Includes refreshments and a delicious lunch.
We will be joined by a range of organisations that will be exhibiting in the refreshment area
Accommodation Offer
If you need overnight accommodation, the Park Royal Hotel is offering a special rate for the night before, the 19th November at £139 bed and breakfast. You can book by calling their central reservation team, on 0330 107 1599 quoting ‘Senior Leaders’ Conference’. This will require full non-refundable payment at the time of booking. This rate offer will expire on Wednesday 29th October 2025 and any rooms booked afterwards would be offered at their best available rates at the time of booking.