DBE Senior Leaders’ Conference: Thursday 19th November 2026
Belonging for All: Championing Inclusion &
SEND in Church Schools
Thursday 19 November | 8.30am-3.45pm | Daresbury Park Hotel,
Join us on a thoughtful journey to deepen inclusion and SEND provision within Church Schools. Engaging keynote speakers and workshops will help you discover effective ways to nurture belonging for every child. This conference supports schools leaders in fostering inclusive communities grounded in dignity and respect.
Introducing our Keynote Speakers:
Andrew Warren
Andrew retired last year as Regional Director for West Midlands Department for Education. Bringing much inspiration, Andrew will be presenting 'A Place to Belong: Known, Safe & Valued'
What does it really mean for every child and young person to belong at school? Drawing on more than 40 years of experience across classrooms, school leadership, teaching schools and national education policy, Andrew explores why belonging is far more than a warm aspiration: It is the foundation on which children thrive, staff stay and communities grow stronger. This is an inspiring call to lead with purpose, listen to children’s voices and leave education, and the lives of those who follow, in a better place.
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Andrew retired as Regional Director for the West Midlands in the Department for Education last year, having oversight of nearly 2,400 schools across fourteen local authorities and several dioceses. His brief included responsibility for Children’s Social Care, SEND and Priority Education Investment Areas.
Through personal stories, reflections on leadership and practical insights, Andrew considers how schools can create cultures in which every child, including those with SEND and those who find belonging hardest, feels known, safe and valued. He also explores the responsibility of leaders to build belonging for others while recognising their own need for support, courage, resilience and community.
He currently chairs an Academy Trust and is trustee on the board of Speech and Language UK and the National Autistic Society.
Mark Arnold
Mark will be presenting All Inclusive – 10 Ways To Create Belonging For Everyone. This practical and interactive session will equip participants with successful ideas,
to ensure that all children and young people with additional needs are able to take part in everything that is going on and to truly belong. Come ready to be inspired, equipped, and enabled to create belonging for all!
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Mark is the Additional Needs Ministry Director at leading national Christian children’s and youth organisation Urban Saints and Co-Founder of the Additional Needs Alliance, a vibrant and online community. He is a national and international advocate and ally for children and young people with additional needs. Mark blogs as the national award winning ‘The Additional Needs Blogfather’, and is father to James who is Autistic and also has Learning Difficulties, Epilepsy, and Social Anxiety.
We also warmly welcome The Bishop of Stockport, The Rt Revd Sam Corley and Revd Hana Amner, School Chaplain at The Bishops’ Blue Coat CE High School.
The afternoon will include two practical workshops: Guidance on Creating Inclusive Collective Worship delivered by Mark Arnold and SEND Panel giving positive and transformational impact hosted by some of our church school leaders.
Exhibitors joining us:
DBE Services - providing capital building support, maintenance assistance and servicing
Chester Cathedral Education & Learning - dedicated to educating and discovery at Chester Cathedral.
D G Resourcing - author of A-Z of Wellbeing & See That Swooping Seagull – a colouring book and poem based on four passages in the Bible to help children with their wellbeing.
The Brick Consultant - providing specialist LEGO building workshops in schools to inspire hands on learning.
Venue: Daresbury Park Hotel, WA4 4BB
Date: Thursday 19 November, 2026
Time: 8:30am to 3:45pm
Conference and Webinar Package
There is the option to book the conference only or to book the Conference and Webinar package, which includes conference booking plus two 1-hour post-conference webinars to further support you. Scheduled to be held as twilight webinars in January and March.
Investment:
Conference & Webinar Package: Family of Schools members will benefit from combined discount price of £150 for the 1st ticket and £100 for 2nd and third tickets. Includes 2 post-conference webinars.
Conference only: Family of Schools members rate is £125. Non-Family of Schools rate £250.
Webinars: Twilight webinars will be held in January and March and can be booked separately.
Includes a delicious hot buffet and refreshments throughout the day.
Need more information? Contact susan.kemp@chester.anglican.org.