Eyes on the Horizon – Headteacher conference 2026

Headteacher conference

Friday 6th March will see the return of our Education North Tyneside Headteacher conference. An exciting day for Headteachers, deputy headteachers, assistant headteachers and colleagues who aspire to these roles.

This year's theme is called 'Eyes on the Horizon', as we look ahead to the future of Education.

 

"Schools and trusts stand at a pivotal point. This is a moment for professional courage and confidence. We must resist the urge to rush to action, seek external solutions or search for quick fixes."

Goodyear and Gibbs TES November 2025

 

As all headteachers and senior leaders consider and craft their responses to significant national developments on multiple fronts, our conference will be a chance to listen to some of the leading education voices in their fields, as well as to network and collaborate with other school leaders.

The day will include three outstanding speakers and cover a range of important current topics to support school leaders with everything that is appearing on the education horizon, including:

  • Attendance
  • Curriculum Review
  • Professional Growth
  • Equity
  • Behaviour
  • Inclusion
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • New Ofsted framework

Our speakers

We're delighted to welcome our three wonderful speakers to share their thoughts and wisdoms across a broad range of themes.

Professor Rob Coe

1

How do Leaders Shape an Environment for Great Teaching and Learning?

Rob is Director of Research and Development at Evidence Based Education and Senior Associate at the Education Endowment Foundation. His research covers assessment, evaluation and evidence-based practice, with a focus on working with teachers and schools to connect evidence with practice.

Teaching and learning is the core purpose of schools and has to be the focus for any improvement strategy. Fortunately, research gives us strong guidance about what great teaching looks like and how it closes attainment gaps - though it isn't always what we think.

School leaders contribute to this by creating an environment for learning and prioritising high-quality professional development. This talk will set out the relevant underpinning research and make practical recommendations for an evidence-based approach to excellence and equity.

The Difference

Strengthening Internal Alternative Provision: The Evidence, the Policy and the Practice

The Difference is an educational charity that tackles the social injustice of lost learning in England’s schools.

At its heart is a commitment to whole-school inclusion, when all staff support the learning, wellbeing, and safety needs of all children, so that they belong, achieve and thrive.

This session explores how schools can develop strong, coherent internal provision that meets pupils’ needs early and effectively.

Built on The Difference’s research into Internal Alternative Provision (IAP) and our publication Tenets of Effective Practice, we will share what the evidence tells us about designing provision that works.

Drawing on our work with MATs, local authorities, and schools and academies nationally, we will highlight the conditions that enable leaders to build sustainable, impactful internal systems - aligning pastoral, SEND and safeguarding approaches, reducing demand on external services, and ultimately improving whole-school culture.

The session will also point to updates in policy, Ofsted and what's likely in the year ahead.

3

Shared Intelligence and the Future of Schools

Dan’s recent publications, including Infinite Education and The Educators AI Guide 2026 have established him as one of the most respected strategic voices in the field. His former roles include Director for Digital Strategy at Education Partnership North East, and senior leader at a secondary school.

As artificial intelligence becomes more than just a tool and starts to act as a genuine thinking partner, the way we understand learning and the role of schools is being reshaped.

Shared Intelligence and the Future of Schools looks at what this shift means for education today and in the years ahead.

Drawing on lessons from the recent curriculum review in England, this keynote invites us to think bigger about what’s possible. It’s a call for bold strategy and genuine ambition, urging schools to move beyond small tweaks and instead reimagine how shared intelligence can help every learner think deeply, create freely, and take the lead in a changing world.

Ready to join us?

You can find out everything else you need to know about the day on our Conference home page.

  • Seize the opportunity to hear speakers who are at the cutting edge of research and practice.
  • Connect with colleagues from around the borough and further afield to share experiences and expertise.
  • Reflect on your priorities and your goals.
Book your place

Article by

Catherine Worton

School Improvement Officer
Teaching, Learning, Curriculum and Leadership
catherine.worton@northtyneside.gov.uk