AI in Schools Conference 2026: Leading AI Safely, Effectively and Strategically in Schools

CONFERENCE AIMS

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the educational landscape, creating significant opportunities for schools while raising important questions around safeguarding, policy, pedagogy, assessment and leadership. School leaders now need to move beyond experimentation and develop a clear, responsible and strategic approach to AI.   The AI in Schools Conference 2026 will equip leaders with the knowledge, practical strategies and confidence to lead AI safely and effectively across their schools. Delegates will explore how to establish robust policies and expectations, manage safeguarding and ethical considerations, evaluate AI tools critically, and ensure that technology enhances rather than compromises high-quality teaching and learning.   The conference will examine how schools can move from isolated use to consistent, sustainable whole-school implementation, identifying high-impact opportunities to reduce workload, improve efficiency and support staff at different stages of AI readiness.   Looking further ahead, delegates will consider how AI is reshaping teaching, learning, curriculum and assessment, and what this means for the knowledge, skills and experiences students will need. The conference will support leaders to identify their strategic priorities and develop a clear direction for their school over the next 3–5 years, balancing innovation with the principles of effective education.  

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BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

• Lead AI safely and responsibly, with greater clarity around policy, safeguarding, data protection and ethical use
• Establish clear expectations for staff and students, creating greater consistency and confidence in AI use across your school
• Protect and strengthen teaching quality, ensuring AI enhances pedagogy rather than replacing effective professional practice
• Evaluate AI tools more critically, considering accuracy, bias, educational value and their impact on learning
• Move from experimentation to sustainable whole-school implementation, with practical approaches to staff development and managing change
• Identify high-impact opportunities for AI to reduce workload, improve efficiency and support better teaching and learning
• Develop a clear strategic direction for the next 3–5 years, responding effectively to changes in curriculum, assessment and student readiness for an AI-enabled future

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WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• Headteachers, Principals and Executive Leaders
• Deputy and Assistant Headteachers
• Trust and Multi-Academy Trust Leaders
• AI, Digital Strategy and EdTech Leads
• Teaching & Learning and Professional Development Leads
• Curriculum Leaders and Heads of Department
• Assessment and Examinations Leaders
• SENDCOs and Inclusion Leaders
• Data Protection and Safeguarding Leads
• Governors and Trustees overseeing digital strategy, innovation or AI

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PROGRAMME

10.00am: Welcome & Introduction Steve Smith Director of Professional Development, Keynote Educational

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10.05am: Leading AI Safely: Policy, Safeguarding and Staff Practice  

• Creating a clear, practical AI policy for both staff and students
• Managing safeguarding, data protection and ethical considerations in everyday use
• Setting expectations for staff use of AI in planning, assessment and communication
• Driving consistency in AI use across departments and teams James Tozer

Associate Assistant Headteacher leading on AI development Stratford School Academy

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11.00am: Break

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11.20am: Quality First: Ensuring AI Enhances Teaching and Learning

• Defining what high-quality AI use looks like in the classroom
• Avoiding over-reliance while maintaining strong pedagogical foundations
• Evaluating AI tools for accuracy, bias and educational value
• Establishing shared principles for confident and consistent staff use Dr Stephen Belding

Director of Academic Programmes, Rugby School Global Partnerships

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12.10pm: From Experimentation to Implementation: Embedding AI Across Your School

• Moving from isolated experimentation to consistent whole-school adoption
• Identifying high-impact use cases for workload reduction and efficiency
• Supporting staff at different stages of confidence with AI
• Designing a phased implementation plan that leads to sustained change Joshua White

AI & Digital Strategy Partner EQUA Mead Learning Trust

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1.00pm Lunch

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2.00pm: Rethinking Education in the Age of AI

• Exploring how AI is changing what it means to teach, learn and lead in schools
• Identifying which aspects of education should evolve and which should remain unchanged
• Understanding how AI is reshaping curriculum, assessment and students' expectations
• Developing a balanced, evidence-informed approach to AI that prepares schools for long-term success

Paul Baker Head of Computing and Digital Strategy at The Perse School, Hills Road

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2.50pm: Break

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2.55pm: Preparing Your School for an AI-Driven Future

• Understanding how AI is reshaping teaching, learning and assessment
• Identifying key strategic priorities for schools over the next 3–5 years
• Rethinking curriculum and student readiness for an AI-enabled world
• Leading change with clarity in a fast-moving and uncertain landscape James Tozer

Associate Assistant Headteacher leading on AI development Stratford School Academy

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3.45pm: Depart