Transforming Behaviour through Belonging (St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park), St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, Birmingham, 13 February 2026

$Transforming Behaviour through Belonging (St. Andrew\u2019s @ Knighthead Park)$

Join senior school and local authority leaders for a free half-day forum exploring how cultures of belonging can improve behaviour in school
About this Event

Transforming Behaviour through Belonging
St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park | Friday 13 February, 9:30am – 3:00pm GMT

Overview
After the success of our Wembley Forum, Football Beyond Borders (FBB) invites senior school and local authority leaders to an exclusive, invite-only School Leaders Forum: Transforming Behaviour through Belonging, hosted at Birmingham City FC, St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.

This forum is designed as focused professional learning for senior leaders, exploring practical, evidence-led approaches to behaviour, belonging, and engagement, with a particular focus on boys most at risk of exclusion. It’s reflective, discussion-led, and actionable, so you leave with strategies you can apply in your own school or trust.

Agenda

9:30 – 10:00 | Arrival & Networking
Welcome tea/coffee and networking opportunities.

10:00 – 10:30 | Welcome & Scene Setting
Jack Reynolds [FBB, CEO] – Introduction and setting the vision for the day.

10:30 – 11:15 | Trusted Adults in Action
Chris Hunt [Clarion, Headteacher] & Michelle Stephenson [Clarion, Assistant Headteacher] – Exploring how trusted adult relationships drive impact in schools.

11:15 – 11:30 | Break & Networking

11:30 – 12:00 | The Political Climate & Policy Change
India Hill [FBB, Marketing & Comms] – Insights into current policy trends and implications for schools.

12:00 – 12:40 | Lunch & Networking

12:40 – 1:40 | Belonging & Mattering
Luke Billingham [Youth Worker & Researcher] & Mohamed Abdallah [The Reach Foundation, Regional Director] – Strategies for fostering inclusion and student engagement.

1:45 – 2:30 | Workshop: Turning Insights into Practice
Ciara Monahan [FBB, Head of London] – Interactive session to apply insights from the day.

2:30 – 2:45 | Closing Reflections & Next Steps
Fiona Stebbing[FBB, Head of West Midlands] – Summing up the day and key takeaways.

Who should attend

This forum is for senior leaders responsible for culture, behaviour, and system-wide improvement:

MAT Leaders and Local Authority Directors
Headteachers and Deputy Headteachers
Assistant Headteachers (Behaviour, Inclusion, Culture, Pastoral)
DSLs and Inclusion Leads

What you’ll gain

Insight into national policy and the direction of travel for behaviour and belonging, including the Trusted Adult Guarantee
Practical approaches schools are using to improve engagement and reduce suspensions
A focused exploration of boys and belonging, with interventions adaptable across contexts
Structured time to reflect, discuss, and apply learning through an interactive workshop
Opportunities to network with other senior leaders, including MAT leads, headteachers, and local authority colleagues, sharing insights and best practice

Agenda highlights

National policy and the current landscape – insights from leaders shaping the Trusted Adult Guarantee (speakers TBC)
What’s working in schools – senior leaders share approaches that have strengthened culture and behaviour
Boys and belonging – practical interventions for boys most at risk
Interactive workshop – apply learning to your school or trust context
Leadership reflections – opened by FBB CEO Jack Reynolds, with closing reflections from the West Midlands team

About Football Beyond Borders

FBB is a national education charity supporting young people most at risk of exclusion through long-term, relationship-based interventions. We work with 69 schools across England and regularly convene senior leaders to share practice, explore evidence, and respond collectively to the challenges schools face today.

Event details