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National Governance Conference for Schools and Trusts

Welcome from NGA’s Chief Executive

Welcome to the National Governance Conference 2026!

We are so thrilled at the opportunities today’s event holds. Bringing together our members from across the country, valued partners, honoured guests, and the dedicated NGA staff team, this event is such a valuable opportunity to pause, share ideas, exchange views and experiences and learn from each other.

Emma Balchin

Emma Balchin

Chief Executive, NGA

The ‘Case for Governance’

The theme of this year’s conference is about celebrating the role governance plays in the system – our ‘case for governance’ is about gaining recognition for the critical role you play in ensuring schools and trusts are accountable, responsive to local needs, and crucial in improving outcomes.

Our ambition is to ensure all planned reforms hold governance at their heart and that policymakers see you as a critical cog in system change.

Leadership & Research

Our Annual Survey report, launched today, provides evidence to support the changes we advocate for. We also champion ‘distributed leadership communities’ that recognise the shared responsibility between governance, educational, and business leadership.

We will also reflect on recently published research demonstrating a strong appetite for community-focused collaborations.

Today's Reflections

As you listen to our speakers, we invite you to reflect on:

  • What has changed and how your board responds pragmatically?
  • What will change in the future and how you can prepare?
  • What changes should NGA actively lobby for, and why?

Esteemed Guests & Panellists

Frank Norris MBE Catherine McKinnell MP Sinéad McBrearty Jon Howlin Bethan Cullen

Reception sponsored by Browne Jacobson

Let’s make today a great day as we embrace updates and adapt in our ever-changing context.

Mark Blois

A word from our partner: Browne Jacobson

"I am delighted that Browne Jacobson is again collaborating with the NGA on this important conference, the National Governance Conference for Schools and Trusts. Effective governance provides strategic leadership and is central to the promotion of high standards and efficient allocation of resources. The particular challenges and opportunities that arise in the context of governance in the schools and trusts sector continue to merit the specialised focus of this conference."

"This year, the conference will again offer an engaging and diverse range of keynotes and workshops delivered and hosted by expert speakers, as well as providing valuable networking opportunities for attendees."

Mark Blois, Partner, Browne Jacobson

Exhibitors

The Allergy Team are the school allergy experts. We have launched the UK's only training course specifically for Designated Allergy Leads and have built an allergy resource and training hub for schools. We also run the Schools Allergy Register, a published list of schools meeting best practice in allergy management.

www.theallergyteam.com

The Association of Education Advisers (AoEA) envisions every school and education provider having access to high-quality, independent support focused on improving outcomes. To achieve this, AoEA created an accredited quality standard for those who support and enable school improvement and a community to share great school improvement practices.

www.aoea.co.uk

ASCL is the leading professional association and trade union for all school, college and trust leaders. We are proud to support and represent more than 25,000 leaders of primary, secondary and post-16 education. We work to shape education policy, provide advice and support to members and deliver first-class professional development.

www.ascl.org.uk

Boards for Education (formerly Governors for Schools) is a charity that exists to improve educational outcomes for children, young people, and adult learners by strengthening governance. With more than 25 years’ experience and a national network of partners, they connect schools, academy trusts, colleges, and education charities across England and Wales with skilled, independent volunteers.

www.boardsforeducation.org.uk

Practical support from sector-leading education lawyers and HR experts. Browne Jacobson is one of the leading law firms operating in the sector. Our education team deliver a comprehensive portfolio of legal and HR services to schools, academies, universities and local authorities nationally.

www.brownejacobson.com

At Climate Ambassadors, we onboard and train volunteers enthusiastic about education and taking climate action in their local community. Together, we work with education settings across England on developing and progressing their climate action plans.

www.climateambassadors.org.uk

FFT Education is a not-for-profit organisation helping schools and trusts raise pupil aspirations and drive improvement through high-quality data, assessment and teaching resources. Founded in 2001, FFT's expertise spans phonics, tutoring and literacy intervention, underpinned by deep analytical insight into pupil and school performance.

www.fft.org.uk

The Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) builds on over 40 years of leadership in school business management. Originating from pioneering state school business leaders and continuing the National College’s work, ISBL champions the professionalisation of school business professionals, whose expertise is essential in today’s increasingly complex and accountable education system.

www.isbl.org.uk

NAHT is the definitive voice of school leaders, representing head teachers, executive leaders and senior leaders across the UK. We support school leaders through expert advice, representation, training and development.

www.naht.org.uk

Solar for Schools helps schools reduce energy costs and carbon emissions through funded solar energy solutions, while creating engaging learning opportunities around sustainability and climate action.

www.solarforschools.co.uk

Programme

09:00 – 09:45

Registration and networking

09:45 – 10:00

Opening address

10:00 – 10:25

Keynote session

10:35 – 11:35

Breakout workshops

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Five workshop sessions to choose from:

1. AI – Basic Level

Vox 2
  • Introduction to AI using NGA's AI Toolkit
  • AI in teaching, learning and school operations
  • AI in governance
  • Effective strategic oversight
View speakers
  • Rob Peters
    Director of Marketing and Communications, National Governance Association
  • External speaker
    To be announced

2. Legal updates

Vox 3, 4, 5
  • Current education law hot topics
  • Progress on White Paper proposals
  • Updates for governors, trustees and governance professionals
View speakers
  • Ruth Agnew
    Strategic Lead for Governance Professionals, NGA
  • Mark Blois
    Partner and Founder, Browne Jacobson

3. Strategic voices: the three strands of interdependent leadership

Vox 1
  • Join the co-authors of the ‘Three Strands of Leadership’ report
  • Understand what the three strands of leadership are and their critical interdependencies
  • Identify common barriers and pitfalls that cause leadership fragmentation
  • Enable leaders to reflect constructively on their organisational practices
View speakers
  • Sam Henson
    Deputy Chief Executive, NGA
  • Emma Harrison
    ASCL Business Leadership Specialist
  • Bethan Cullen
    Deputy CEO, Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL)

4. The power of data

Boardroom 2
  • Look beyond headline school performance measures
  • Understand outcomes for different pupil groups
  • Use data more effectively in governance
View speakers
  • Ella Colley
    Head of Content and Publishing, NGA
  • Andrew Hill
    Head of Educational Partnerships, FFT Education

5. Promoting a culture of wellbeing in your school or trust

Boardroom 1
  • Explore the role of governance in shaping a culture of wellbeing
  • Introduction to the Well Schools Framework
  • Whole-school wellbeing approaches
  • Practical examples from school life
View speakers
  • Fariha Choudhury
    Senior Policy and Impact Officer, NGA
  • Bami Olukayode
    Policy and Impact Officer, NGA
  • Chris Wright
    Children's Health, Development and Wellbeing Strategic Leader and Innovator, YST/Well Schools Collective
  • Dan Keefe
    Headteacher, Clare Mount Specialist Sport College
  • Kev Byrne
    Deputy Headteacher, Clare Mount Specialist Sports College
  • Tony Berry
    Wellbeing Governor, Clare Mount Specialist Sports College
11:35 – 11:45

Refreshments break

11:45 – 12:30

Keynote: Governing Matters

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Delivered by Christine Gilbert

Christine Gilbert, Chair of the Ofsted Board delivers a keynote address.

Drawing on her experience as a headteacher and chair of a range of organisations, Christine Gilbert reflects on why governance matters and the difference it makes to leadership, accountability and improvement. Using examples from across her career, including her time as Independent Chair of Camden Learning, she will explore the vital role governance plays in supporting successful organisations.

12:30 – 13:30

Lunch

13:30 – 14:30

Breakout workshops

+

Five workshop sessions to choose from:

1. AI – Advanced Level

Vox 2
  • AI in schools, trusts and governance
  • Teaching, learning and operational applications
  • Strategic oversight and implementation
View speakers
  • Rob Peters
    Director of Marketing and Communications, NGA
  • External speaker
    To be announced

2. The Governance Professional's guide to data protection

Vox 3, 4, 5
  • AI in schools and trusts
  • Hot topics in data protection
  • How to spot data protection risks and build a clear picture of your organisation's exposure
  • Embedding data protection as a genuine governance led strategy
View speakers
  • Rani Kaur
    Head of Advice, NGA
  • Dai Durbridge
    Partner and Education Lawyer, Browne Jacobson
  • Claire Archibald
    Legal Director, Browne Jacobson

3. 3. The role of governing boards in the evolving complaints landscape

Vox 1
  • Responding effectively to evolving parental complaints
  • Looking at culture and strategic leadership in balancing strategic oversight with transparency and fairness
  • Working effectively with leaders and parents
  • Managing complaints panels effectively
View speakers
  • Ruth Agnew MBE
    Strategic Lead for Governance Professionals, NGA
  • Deiniol Sandford
    Senior Advice Officer, NGA

4. Closing the gap: practical approaches to poverty and equity

Boardroom 1
  • Embedding poverty considerations in governance
  • Understanding impacts on attendance, attainment and wellbeing
  • Identify where school systems unintentionally exclude or penalise pupils experiencing poverty
  • Applying a poverty-informed lens to decisions
  • Asking the right questions to senior leaders effectively
View speakers
  • Fariha Choudhury
    Senior Policy and Impact Officer, NGA
  • Binky Clark
    NGA Consultant and Governance Lead in a 13-school MAT

5. Sustainability: where to start

Boardroom 2
  • The role of governance in driving environmental sustainability
  • Aligning with wider strategic priorities across your schools and trusts
  • Featuring contributions from a Climate Ambassador
  • Interactive discussion and practical activities
  • Identify opportunities for action, and leave with ideas to support meaningful change
View speakers
  • Megan Tate
    Senior Policy and Research Officer, NGA
  • Janet Myers
    Regional Lead, NGA
  • Katherine Robertson
    Regional Lead, NGA
  • Paul Astles
    Climate Ambassador and Chair of Governors
  • Matilda Crane
    East Midlands Regional Hub Manager, Climate Ambassadors
14:30 – 14:45

Refreshments break

14:45 – 14:55

Leading Governance certificate presentation

14:55 – 15:35

Keynote: Courageous Governance

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Delivered by Evelyn Forde

Exploring how governance decisions shape the lived experiences of leaders, staff, pupils and families.

This keynote challenges boards to move beyond compliance and reflect on leadership, representation and fairness.

15:35 – 15:40

Closing remarks

15:40 – 16:30

Drinks reception

Networking

Featured Speakers

Casey Bailey

Casey Bailey

Conference Compere

Emma Balchin

Emma Balchin

Chief Executive, NGA

Christine Gilbert

Christine Gilbert

Chair of the Ofsted Board

Evelyn Forde

Evelyn Forde

Keynote Speaker