WORKSHOPS & pANELS
WORKSHOPS & PANELS
You will attend two sessions during the conference. Choose from a workshop, discussion, or panel.
SESSION 1
In this workshop Ruth will explore one of the key principles of effective practice, that children learn and develop in enabling environments.
Ruth will explore what makes an enabling environment and how we can build them to effectively support children to be independent and successful, regardless of their age and stage so that the learning environment fulfils its role as “The Third Teacher”.
This workshop will tackle the problem of how to change policy and practice away from a focus on student behaviour towards a school system that prioritises inclusion and safety for all. It will draw on the research findings from the UK wide Excluded Lives study.
The ‘Child of The North’ campaign has shown the power of an invested community of leaders and organisations advocating on behalf of children and young people.
Our campaign is to build a country that works for all children and young people and together reverse the existential crises impacting millions of children growing up in the UK – before it is too late.
We have a government that is listening, but we need to supply solutions. We will give a ‘report update’ comprising a 2026 ‘state of the nation’ snapshot and a charter for organisations who want to build a better country for all children.
SESSION 2
A timely provocation for school leaders. Consider the ‘in school’ and ‘beyond school’ ingredients for inclusive school improvement.
With the white paper around the corner, how can leaders connect and enable their staff and wider community to undertake the urgent shift in focus, systems and behaviours required to build sustainable change that brings struggling learners to the heart of school improvement.
This session will explore the role of leaders in empowering voice, choice and collaboration.
Toby will share findings from a recent 3-year study of sustainable school leadership across the UK. One key finding was that school leaders are commonly working beyond their ‘education’ remit – providing support for children and families across wider areas, from welfare to well-being.
He will ask participants to explore how they sustain themselves in leadership and the implications of reconceptualising leadership across a school, trust or locality to encompass education and care.
This workshop explores the application of the Leading Inclusive Cultures Model as a thinking tool. It will outline how the model supports the progressive realisation of inclusive values at Carr Manor Community School.
Participants will have time to reflect on their own position in a system driven by exclusive values and identify opportunities in their own setting to moved forward inclusive practice.
Rob Newton and Emma Wraighte will lead this workshop, which marks the culmination of a wider EEF programme delivered by Rob, Emma, and Tom Shaw in partnership with the Huntington Research School.
The session will share key insights and learning from the project, offering participants an opportunity to reflect on their own school systems using one of the practical tools explored during the workshop.
The project has led to significant positive change in participating schools, helping refine approaches to developing pupils’ social and emotional skills as part of a broader commitment to lifelong learning. Through reviewing processes, staff knowledge, and the allocation of resources, schools have been able to identify and prioritise actions that make the greatest difference. This workshop provides a warm and practical space to explore what effective SEL looks like in action and how it can be embedded meaningfully across your own setting.
