LEADING FOR INCLUSION - A PLACE FOR EVERY CHILD - [IN-PERSON] CONFERENCE

School leaders, governors and trustees play a crucial role in ensuring their schools are inclusive in all that they do. The responsibility to champion every member of the school community is greater than ever.

Cheshire West Governance Association is delighted to have a fantastic line-up of keynote speakers at their conference on Friday 5th June 2026 at Chester Racecourse.

Join us from 9am for light refreshments before we welcome our first speaker. Lunch will be provided. Book now for 'early-bird' special offers on two delegate tickets!

• ASHLEY JOHN-BAPTISTE: Broadcaster, TV Presenter, Author and Inspirational Speaker. Ashley is an inspirational speaker who shares his hard-hitting and inspirational story of navigating through the care system. He is an ambassador for The Fostering Network charity and the founder of “Be Inspired” events, supporting young people leaving care and helping them fulfil their aspirations. In June 2025, Ashley appeared on the panel for Crisis of Care at Glastonbury Left Field. Ashley’s debut book ‘Looked After: A Childhood in Care’ was published in June 2024 and was shortlisted for Hatchards and the Biographers' Club Best First Biography Prize. He is also an award-winning broadcaster and TV presenter. Ashley fronted the BBC Three documentary Care Home Kids: Looking For Love, about children growing up in care. Other films include - My Life In Care and My Life Without Skin, as well as a documentary about siblings separated in care, Split Up In Care: Life Without Siblings - this was a winner at the BBC News Awards, shortlisted in the Most Impactful Journalism. He makes reports for The One Show, Sunday Morning Live, as well as Morning Live & BBC News. He currently co-hosts Con or Cure and also presents Expert Witness, for which he was nominated for a 2023 Broadcast Award in the Best Daytime Programme category. Ashley has also co-presented the RTS-nominated series For Love or Money, all for BBC1.
• ; Sarah Johnson is an experienced educational leader, consultant, and author with over two decades of expertise in emotional well-being, behaviour, and systems change in education. With a career spanning mainstream schools, Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), Alternative Provision (AP), and psychiatric in-patient services, Sarah has developed a deep understanding of how to create inclusive, nurturing environments where all children can thrive.A passionate advocate for systemic change, Sarah has worked extensively with Local Authorities and the Department for Education, influencing policy and practice to better support vulnerable learners. She is known for her pragmatic and compassionate approach to behaviour, focusing on fostering belonging and well-being as the foundation for positive outcomes. Sarah’s commitment to improving education extends beyond the UK. She has collaborated with Ministries of Education internationally, supporting the development of inclusive practices and behaviour strategies in diverse contexts around the world. Her work bridges strategic leadership and hands-on support, ensuring sustainable impact at both school and system levels. As the author of three acclaimed books, Behaving Together: A Teacher’s Guide to Nurturing Behaviour, All About SEMH, practical guides for secondary and primary teachers, Sarah provides practical guidance for educators seeking to understand and support the emotional and behavioural needs of their students. Through her consultancy, Sarah continues to deliver training, keynote presentations, and advisory support, helping schools, trusts, and policy-makers create environments where every child feels safe, valued, and able to succeed.

• DR ELAINE MAWSON; Elaine is a Senior His Majesty’s Inspector with an extensive background in school leadership and inspection. Elaine has worked across a wide range of educational settings, including primary, secondary comprehensive, grammar and special schools. She holds the NPQH, an MBA, and a Doctorate in Educational Research, with expertise in leadership, curriculum, safeguarding, and professional development.

• DIANNE HOLCROFT; Dianne is a His Majesty's Inspector and joined Ofsted in 2025, bringing leadership experience from the school’s sector. She has held senior roles including headteacher, executive headteacher and National Leader of Education, with a background spanning primary and special education.Her subject specialisms include early years for reception, nursery and/or provisions for two-year-olds, and primary English, including early reading. She has substantial experience supporting children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities, as well as in teacher development provision.

• ; Jane has over 30 years’ experience in education, working across secondary, primary and special schools, mainly within CWAC. She has held senior leadership roles in both school and higher education settings, including Associate Dean for Partnerships and Recruitment in a faculty of education. Jane has led the CWAC SENCO Forum, SEND networks, developed education programmes, and worked closely with local authorities, schools, trusts and partners to support collaboration and inclusive practice. Her research focuses on attachment-aware, trauma-informed and inclusive approaches across organisations. Jane is committed to ensuring all children and young people can access the curriculum and achieve their potential, and looks forward to working with professionals, parents and carers to deliver CWAC's SEND priorities

Secure your tickets today....Book now for 'early-bird' special offers on two delegate tickets!

IF YOU ARE UNSURE IF YOUR SCHOOL OR TRUST BOARD IS A FULLY PAID MEMBER FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2025-26 PLEASE CHECK BEFORE ORDERING TICKETS. EMAIL SHARON CLARKE [email protected]

BOOKING MEMBER PRICED TICKETS IF YOUR SCHOOL OR TRUST BOARD IS NOT A PAID MEMBER MAY RESULT IN YOUR TICKET BEING CANCELLED. REGRETTABLY, ONLY A PARTIAL REFUND WILL BE PROVIDED.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Chester Racecourse, The Racecourse, Chester, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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