Daniel Sobel – Author, Speaker, Founder and CEO of Inclusion Expert Inclusion Expert’s founder, Daniel Sobel, is an internationally respected leader in inclusive education and has advised the DfE, the EU and governments abroad. Daniel is a well-known speaker, writes regularly for publications including Headteacher Update and The Guardian, and is the author of several books including Narrowing the Attainment Gap. Daniel left school with no A Levels and read his first book aged 18. Gradually he fell in love with study and managed to secure a place on a Master’s course in Education Psychology. He went on to take four graduate courses in Psychology and Education, eventually running out of money in the middle of doctoral training.
Daniel moved to full time teaching and quickly became a SENCO. Dismayed by how much of the job was pointless meetings and paperwork, he started designing tools to better support his students. During a stint as Assistant Head he continued to develop simple systems to help teachers manage information and maximise the impact of their interventions. Realising that many teachers were struggling with inclusion, that his ideas really worked, and that there was an opportunity to make a difference to children across the country, Daniel left teaching, somewhat hesitantly, to form Inclusion Expert. Over the last few years the company has grown rapidly to encompass a team of experienced practitioners who share Daniel’s vision that every child deserves the opportunity to achieve their potential, regardless of needs, background or ability.
Dr Andy Kemp – Principal, Head of the National Mathematics and Sciences College Dr Andy Kemp is Principal of The National Mathematics and Science College, based in the Midlands on the edge of the Warwick University campus. The National Mathematics and Science College is the top performing specialist STEM sixth form day and boarding school in the UK. Joining NatMatSci was something of a homecoming for him as he studied for his BSc in Mathematics, PGCE, MSc and EdD in Mathematics Education all at the University of Warwick. More recently he has completed his MBA at UCL in 2017. He has spoken at conferences around the world in relation to the role that technology and AI play in education, and has been published in several journals, magazines, and collective works.
Maria Strauss – Partner, Farrer and Co. specialist in employment and safeguarding Maria advises clients including not-for-profit organisations, independent schools, sports clubs and faith-based organisations on employment and safeguarding matters. She also acts for senior executive clients, particularly in the context of investigations or inquiries that they may be involved in. Maria has guided employer clients through many complex matters ranging from one off cases to issues that may involve or impact many staff members. She also advises HR teams (from all sectors) on more routine areas of employment law, such as performance management and staff exits. Maria was one of the founding members of Farrer & Co’s Safeguarding Unit. She advises all types of organisations who work with children on their legal obligations and has helped clients embed safer cultures through audits and support with policies and procedures. As well as advisory work, Maria has advised on a significant number of safeguarding cases. Maria is a versatile lawyer with excellent knowledge of related legal areas such as GDPR, charity law, disputes and insurance law. She co-leads the firm’s investigations practice.
Andy Robinson – Director of Secondary Education, Sapientia Education Trust Andrew joined Sapientia Education Trust in January 2023, having previously led significant school improvement as a Headteacher in Ipswich. He has always worked in schools that support a high number of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and is committed to providing exceptional educational opportunities for all children. Starting as a Science teacher in a challenging school in London, he briefly pursued a career in finance before swiftly returning when he realised how much he had missed working in schools. He went on to gain leadership roles as Head of Science, Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher. Andrew holds a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Oxford and is currently studying for an MBA from University College London. His experience and commitment contribute to Sapientia Education Trust’s mission of ensuring that every child flourishes.
Jenny Dwyer – Experienced Headteacher, Governor & Trustee Jenny has wide ranging experience in education, as a school leader both nationally and internationally and as a Governor and Trustee. Following two Headships of independent boarding schools spanning almost 20 years Jenny was Head of Schools Practice at Saxton Bampfylde where she completed over 100 leadership appointments working with prestigious independent school and MATs. Latterly she has been working as a consultant and a Principal in an IB school in Jordan. She has chaired the GSA inspections committee and served as an ISI inspector as well as being on the ISI Board. Jenny has been a Trustee and Governor at a number of schools, both Preparatory and Secondary and is at present a Trustee of Sapientia Trust where she chairs the secondary education committee. She brings extensive understanding of educational leadership and recruitment. She read mathematics and education at Homerton College, Cambridge.
Michaela Khatib – Executive Headteacher, Cobham Free School Michaela Khatib read Education and Music at Homerton College, Cambridge, holds a Masters Degree in Leading Innovation and Change in Education and has completed the National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership. Michaela’s career has involved leadership roles in the independent and state sector, and managing the Partnerships and Outreach programme at The Yehudi Menuhin School, Surrey. Following a successful bid to the DfE, Michaela founded Cobham Free School and now leads the all-through establishment as Executive Headteacher. She has written various articles on education topics, including for the TES, been on advisory boards for ‘Best Practice Network’ and ‘Parents and Teachers for Excellence’ and recently collaborated with Northumbria University on a research publication about ‘how to create a school’.
Educational research and studies show that the standard of leadership in schools has a direct impact on the quality of academic and other achievements for students.
Newly appointed senior leaders are often surprised by the number and scale of interesting yet highly challenging responsibilities which accompany their roles: very often, experience in teaching prior to this level has not provided the opportunity to hone the skills required. This new, vibrant and informative conference provides a vital insight for anybody within, or aspiring to, a senior leadership role.
The conference brings together leading experts and key practitioners from a range of disciplines, who will give sessions focusing on many of the key areas in leadership: leading on teaching and learning, leading on pastoral care, day-to-day school/MAT operations, complex HR matters, and above all leading staff and pupils to achieve their very best in all areas.
Leaders are often called in when things go wrong, but have not always had the first-hand experience to equip them to respond effectively. In time, experience will provide, but problems do not wait, and so senior leaders need key skills to respond straight away. Theses sessions have been designed to provide practical skills and methodologies which can be applied in real settings, allowing newly appointed leaders to hit the ground running.
This is a conference not only for those who are newly appointed or who aspire to a role in educational leadership in the near future, but also for experienced professionals who may be supporting newly promoted leaders, or who wish to update their own understanding of key issues affecting educators today.
10.00 – 10.10am
Ben Gudgeon, your host for this conference, Ben is Headmaster of a specialist music school and Chair of the International Forum of Arts Educators.
10.10 – 10.50am
Andrew Robinson – Director of Secondary Education, Sapientia Education Trust
10.40 – 11.10am
11.10 – 12.00pm
Jenny Dwyer – Headmistress and Trustee
12.00 – 12.50m
Dr Andy Kemp – Principal, Head of the National Mathematics and Sciences College
12.00 – 12.50pm
Dr Andy Kemp – Principal, Head of the National Mathematics and Sciences College
12.50pm – 1.00pm
1.00pm – 2.00pm
2.00 – 2.50pm
Jenny Dwyer – Headmistress and Trustee
Michaela Khatib – Executive Headteacher, Cobham Free School
Nicola Smith – Joint Principal, Chetham’s School of Music
2.50 – 3.00pm
3.00 – 3.50pm
Michaela Khatib – Executive Headteacher, Cobham Free School
Steve Gibbs – Experienced Head of School
Trevor Greenhill – STEER Tracking
10.00 – 10.45am
Daniel Sobel – Founder and CEO, Inclusion Expert
10.45 – 11.05am
11.05 – 11.50am
Victoria Raynor – Safeguarding Consultant; Chair of the International Forum of Safeguarding Professionals
11.50 – 12.35pm
Maria Strauss – Partner at Farrer & Co. and one of the Founding Members of Farrer & Co’s Safeguarding Unit
12.35 – 12.45pm
12.45pm – 1.45pm
3.00 – 3.50pm
Nicola Smith – Joint Principal, Chetham’s School of Music
Daniel Sobel – Founder and CEO, Inclusion Expert
Victoria Raynor – Safeguarding Consultant; Chair of the International Forum of Safeguarding Professionals
2.40pm – 2.50pm
2.50 – 3.30pm
Maria Strauss – Partner at Farrer & Co. and one of the Founding Members of Farrer & Co’s Safeguarding Unit
3.30pm – 3.45pm
| Location and Date | London | Thursday 20 & Friday 21 June 2024 |
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