About this Event
The National Education Leaders Conference 2026 - DoubleTree by Hilton, Milton Keynes
Following their record breaking conference in February 2026, join nEdEx (Network for Education Excellence) this October for The National Education Leaders Conference 2026, a dynamic and crucial event designed to equip heads, trust leaders, and senior staff with the insights and tools needed to navigate the evolving educational landscape. Hosted on Thursday 8th October 2026 at the Double Tree Hilton, Milton Keynes.
This conference brings together a community of influential leaders committed to driving real, positive change across the sector. The conference is filled with 25+ speakers, networking opportunities focused on best practices, and workshop sessions based on the key themes decided by education leaders, for education leaders.
nEdEx delivers conference agendas that are grounded in realism, pragmatism and best practice.
A Flexible Agenda Tailored to Your Needs
We understand the complexity of leadership roles, which is why the 2026 conference is structured to offer maximum flexibility for delegates.
Beyond the main agenda, which will feature industry leading keynote speeches, delegates have the power to curate their own day. You can choose from bespoke sessions across 6 dedicated, key-themed rooms, which open up post-lunch, allowing you to deep-dive into the areas most relevant to your current priorities.
Places are limited, so please secure your place now.
Interested in sponsoring or becoming an exhibitor? Email: [email protected]
https://vimeo.com/1183701354
Agenda for the conference
🕑: 08:15 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration, Breakfast & Networking ☕
Info: Welcome to The National Education Leaders 2026! Upon arrival, our helpful team will check you in before you take a moment to grab a coffee and breakfast!
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Chair's Welcoming Address
Host: Sir Steve Taylor - CEO - Cabot Learning Federation
Info: A warm welcome to the conference from our chair of the day.
🕑: 09:15 AM - 09:35 AM
Keynote Session
🕑: 09:35 AM - 10:05 AM
Meet the Sponsors!
Info: Our event would be nothing without the sponsors supporting it - our 'Meet the Sponsors' session will be 60 seconds per sponsor to deliver a quick introduction to the audience!
🕑: 10:05 AM - 10:20 AM
Keynote Session
Host: Sir Steve Taylor - CEO - Cabot Learning Federation
🕑: 10:20 AM - 10:40 AM
How can Trusts harness the power of the AI at scale, safely and responsibly?
Host: Fiona Law Head of New Partnerships - Google
🕑: 10:40 AM - 11:00 AM
NEW: The Education Hot Seat
Host: Matt Crawford - CEO - Embark Federation
Info: An all new session format - Quick fire questions to Trust Leaders who will rotate in and out of 'The Education Hot Seat'!
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Mid-AM Refreshments & Networking Break ☕
Info: Enjoy some chats, refreshments and snacks during the Mid-AM break.
🕑: 11:45 AM - 12:05 PM
Keynote Session
Host: Hosted by Magma Maths
🕑: 12:05 PM - 12:25 PM
Innovating through purposeful, practical and deliberate collaboration
Host: William Smith OBE, CEO, Greenshaw Learning Trust
Info: m How collaboration has moved beyond a nice idea and ’sharing good practice’, into a crucial aspect of every leaders' work across and beyond the organisation. Simplicity and clarity is at the heart of everything we do.
🕑: 12:25 PM - 12:45 PM
Keynote Session
Host: Hosted by MyNewTerm
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:05 PM
Panel Discussion
Host: Rowena Hackwood - CEO - Astrea Academy Trust
🕑: 01:05 PM - 01:10 PM
Chairs Morning Reflections
🕑: 01:10 PM - 01:50 PM
Lunch, Refreshments & Networking ☕
Info: Enjoy a complimentary hot lunch and buffet, we also cater to dietary requirements, along with providing desserts and light snacks!
🕑: 01:50 PM - 02:05 PM
Themed Room Session 1 - People Strategy
Host: Alex Hawkins - Director of HR - EPM
Info: "Key Workforce Trends and Practical Priorities for Schools and Trusts"
Themed Room Session 1 - Parental Engagement
Host: Hosted by VenturEd Solutions
Themed Room Session 1 - AI
Host: Georgina Cook, Education Specialist, Renaissance
Info: "From Assessment to Action: Introducing Renaissance Intelligence" - Georgina spent 20 years as a secondary English teacher in the UK and led English across an all through MAT in the East of England before joining GL Assessment, now Renaissance, in 2021. Having used the products when in school herself, Georgina is now one of our Education Specialists, championing the assessments and teaching and learning tools. She works with teams across the business to ensure that our products provide schools with the best platforms in which to support young people to reach their full potential.
🕑: 02:10 PM - 02:25 PM
Themed Room Session 2 - People Strategy
Themed Room Session 2 - Parental Engagement
Host: Ben Stickley - CEO - SECAT
Info: "Dealing with complex parental complaints & campaigns"
Themed Room Session 2 - AI
Host: Edward Vitalis - CEO - Invictus Education Trust
Info: "3 questions every trust should be asking about AI"
🕑: 02:30 PM - 02:45 PM
Themed Room Session 3 - School Improvement & RISE
Host: Benjamin Hazlewood, Insights Lead, Edurio
Info: "The State of the Sector in 2026: What Staff, Pupils and Parents Are Really Telling Us"
Themed Room Session 3 - SEND & Inclusion
Themed Room Session 3 - Growth & Mergers
Host: Hosted by TEP
🕑: 02:50 PM - 03:05 PM
Themed Room Session 4 - School Improvement & RISE
Host: Andy Riches - CEO - Inpsiring Primaries Academies Trust
Info: "Developing a sustainable, Trust-led school improvement model" - This session explores the lessons learned and strategies used to turn around a failing multi-academy trust.
Themed Room Session 4 - SEND & Inclusion
Host: Delivered by Fortis Trust
Themed Room Session 4 - Growth & Mergers
Host: Tim Plumb - CEO - PolyMAT
Info: "Releasing the Civic Dividend"
🕑: 03:05 PM - 03:30 PM
Drinks Reception
Info: Wrapping up with a drinks reception - all delegates, sponsors and speakers are invited to enjoy complimentary drinks!
Event venue & nearby stays
DoubleTree by Hilton Milton Keynes, DoubleTree by Hilton, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
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