Join hundreds of school and trust leaders at NGA’s flagship annual event, made extra special this year as we celebrate 20 years of NGA and championing good governance. It’s a day designed to strengthen your governance journey and give you the tools, insights, and connections to drive real change. With expert speakers, thought-provoking discussions and practical workshops, this is your chance to stay ahead of the curve, influence the future of education, and connect with a national community dedicated to improving outcomes for all pupils.
Don’t miss this landmark celebration - be part of our 20th anniversary and shape what comes next.
Sponsored by:
Insights from leading experts
Hear from education experts through inspiring keynotes and workshops.
Networking opportunities
Engage with governors, trustees, and education leaders to grow your network.
Actionable strategies and tools
Take away practical solutions and resources to strengthen your governance.
Tailored to you
Get tailored strategies and guidance for your governance role.
Programme
Registration opens and refreshments are served.
Local Associations network will meet in the syndicate rooms.
Opening remarks by the conference compere, Casey Bailey and NGA's Chief Executive, Emma Balchin.
Casey Bailey is the Birmingham Poet Laureate 2020 – 2022 and the Greater Birmingham Future Face of Arts and Culture 2020.
with Emma Balchin
Five workshop sessions to choose from.
Topics include:
- AI
- Legal updates
- Three strands of leadership
- Power of data
- Culture of wellbeing
Details to be announced.
Refreshments
Christine Gilbert delivers a keynote address.
We will update the lunch selection on this page closer to the event. Make sure to let us know your dietary requirements when making the booking so we can ensure these are adhered to.
Five workshop sessions to choose from.
Topics include:
- AI
- The role of DPO
- Complaints landscape
- Poverty proofing
- Sustainability
Details to be announced.
Refreshments
Leading Governance Certificate Presentation.
Details to be announced.
Close of the conference by NGA's Chief Executive, Emma Balchin.
Speakers
Dame Christine Gilbert CBE
Chair of the Ofsted Board
Dame Christine Gilbert DBE served as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills from 2006 to 2011. Originally trained as a history teacher, she later became a secondary headteacher and then Director of Education in Harrow and Tower Hamlets, where she led improvements in school performance before becoming Chief Executive of Tower Hamlets. Since leaving Ofsted, she has undertaken a number of public service and education reviews and has been a Visiting Professor at the UCL Institute of Education for over a decade. In June 2025, she returned to Ofsted as Chair of the Ofsted Board.
Evelyn Forde MBE
Leadership and School Improvement Expert
Evelyn Forde MBE is a leadership and school improvement expert with over two decades of experience across schools, trusts and wider education systems. Originally trained as a history teacher, she began her career in North London in 1999 and went on to become a Headteacher in 2015, leading significant school improvement through values-led leadership and a strong organisational culture. Since stepping down from Headship in 2023, she has built a portfolio career as a School Improvement Partner, member of a DfE RISE support team, executive leadership consultant, keynote speaker and coach. A Past President of ASCL, she is also the author of Herstory – A Leadership Manifesto and is currently writing Authentic Leadership: How to Win Hearts and Minds.
Casey Bailey
Birmingham Poet Laureate 2020–2022 and Greater Birmingham Future Face of Arts & Culture 2020
Casey Bailey is the Birmingham Poet Laureate (2020–2022) and the Greater Birmingham Future Face of Arts and Culture 2020. His poetry collection Please Do Not Touch was published by Burning Eye in 2021. He wrote The Ballad Of The Peaky Blinders for the BBC, winning a Webby Award in 2020. He was named one of Birmingham Live’s “30 under 30” in 2018 and holds a fellowship from the University of Worcester and an honorary doctorate from Newman University (2021).
The Vox Conference Venue
Birmingham, B40 1PU
By train
If you’re heading to The Vox by train, you’ll find us located less than a ten-minute walk from Birmingham International train station. Just look for the Resorts World Arena when you arrive as we’re right next door. The Vox is also only 70 minutes by train from London and just 10 minutes by train from Birmingham City Centre. For the latest travel information visit our NEC campus travel updates page Find out more about access for visitors with disabilities.
Parking
The Vox is located at Resorts World Birmingham and is a stone’s throw from the NEC and Birmingham International Airport, both clearly signposted from all motorways and major routes including the M42, M40 & M6. Just 8 miles from Birmingham city centre and at the heart of the UK motorway network, the Vox is in the perfect location for car travel. For the latest travel information visit our NEC campus travel updates page Find out more about access for visitors with disabilities.