Morning, Thursday, 23rd October 2025
Online
This conference will consider next steps for raising attainment and standards in England’s schools, and strategies to narrow attainment gaps and improve outcomes across diverse learner groups.
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss proposals outlined in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, including new statutory requirements on teacher qualifications, pay and conduct, and national consistency in SEND provision. Delegates will also assess the proposed introduction of Ofsted report cards, and the way forward for inspection reform in enabling support of transparency, accountability, and standards improvement.
Delegates will consider the potential to improve outcomes in light of the Government’s commitment in the Spending Review 2025 to increase the core schools budget by £2bn. They will also assess the scope of utilising £132.5m from the Dormant Assets Scheme to support disadvantaged young people. Discussion will examine the Government’s 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, including the £38bn investment in education to 2030 which encompasses funding for the rebuilding and refurbishment of school buildings, upgrades to the school estate, and improved digital infrastructure, alongside how schools and colleges can align delivery of education and skills with workforce needs to improve outcomes and future readiness.
Planned sessions will consider latest thinking on strategies to address persistent disparities in attainment for pupils with SEND and from disadvantaged backgrounds, in light of the Curriculum and Assessment Review interim report and proposals to reform the national curriculum. Discussion is also expected on pupil premium funding, inclusive curriculum design, and ways to strengthen the role of early intervention and wellbeing support.
The agenda will also explore developments and best practice in effective collaboration between schools, colleges, universities, and employers to support progression and raise standards, including tutoring initiatives and data-led practice sharing. Delegates will also examine strategies for growing workforce capacity and leadership development, in line with proposed statutory requirements for teacher qualifications, pay, and conduct outlined in the Bill - and how they might be applied across diverse school systems.
Further areas for discussion include key issues for the changing role of digital tools in teaching and assessment, looking at how technology can be put in place to support teaching excellence, reduce workload, and help meet the needs of different learners. Delegates will consider what is needed for successful and practical use in schools, how to build staff confidence and skills, and ensuring all schools and pupils can benefit, including for situations where access to devices or connectivity may be limited.
With the agenda currently in the drafting stage, overall areas for discussion include:
- policy: key measures in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - teacher standards, pay, and qualifications - professional conduct oversight - achieving consistency across varied school settings
- SEND provision: addressing variation in SEND support and access - aligning funding, workforce capacity, and access to specialist support - EHCP processes and delivery - wider inclusion strategies
- curriculum reform: proposals from the Curriculum and Assessment Review - embedding core knowledge and flexibility - national standards and local delivery - supporting varied learner needs
- inspection and accountability: proposed Ofsted report cards - clarity and fairness in school assessments - strengthening feedback to support improvement - workload and school culture
- disadvantage and attainment: effective uses of pupil premium funding - addressing disparities for vulnerable pupils and those with intersecting needs - data-informed approaches to equity
- wellbeing and early support: role in educational outcomes - expansion of early intervention pathways - integration of mental health and pastoral care - school capacity to respond effectively
- leadership and collaboration: multi-agency collaboration - capacity in MATs and local partnerships - spreading best practice across the system - consistent improvement across diverse settings
- digital tools and innovation: role of edtech in teaching and assessment - effective hybrid approaches - support for staff digital skills - access and equity in use of digital resources
