Inclusion and Belonging Summit
2026-03-17 08:30 - 16:30 (Europe/London) | EdCity, EdCity Walk, London, W12 7TF
Join us at the EducationScape Inclusion and Belonging Summit – a flagship event for schools and colleges, bringing together leaders, practitioners and specialists from across the education system to explore how we move from intention to impact when it comes to inclusion. This summit in partnership with The Skills Network has been deliberately designed to reflect the real journeys of learners, recognising that belonging must be nurtured consistently from early secondary education through post-16 and beyond. By hearing directly from speakers working in schools, colleges and national organisations, you will gain insight that is grounded in practice, informed by research and shaped by lived experience.
Why this summit matters now
While compliance with DfE funding guidance and Ofsted’s evolving inspection framework and report cards is important, it is no longer enough. Schools and colleges are being asked to demonstrate how culture, inclusion and wellbeing are embedded – not just documented. This summit creates space to step back and ask deeper questions:

What does true belonging look like in a school or college?
How do inclusive cultures reduce behaviour issues, improve attendance and support achievement?
How do we ensure no learner becomes disengaged at key transition points?

By focusing on belonging as a driver of success, this event supports you to build environments where children and young people feel confident, connected and able to thrive academically, personally and professionally.
A joined-up conversation for schools and colleges
One of the defining strengths of this summit is its cross-phase perspective. Inclusion does not reset when a learner moves from school to college, and neither should our thinking. Throughout the day, you will hear from:

School leaders and inclusion specialists
College and post-16 practitioners
Ofsted, researchers, sector experts and charities.

Together, they will explore how consistent approaches to culture, empathy and purpose can support learners across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and post-16 education, particularly at points where vulnerability and disengagement are most likely.
What you’ll gain from attending
This is a practical, thought-provoking day designed to support real change in your setting. You will:

Gain clear, evidence-informed strategies you can apply immediately
Develop a deeper understanding of how belonging underpins behaviour, attendance and wellbeing
Strengthen your confidence in responding to inspection and accountability pressures
Learn how to better support disadvantaged learners and those with additional needs
Connect with peers from schools and colleges facing similar challenges.

You will leave not only inspired, but equipped with tools, language and strategies that can be shared across your teams.
A whole-community approach to inclusion
A central theme of the summit is that belonging cannot be created by one role or department alone. Sessions will explore inclusion through a multi-faceted lens, recognising the vital contribution of:

Educators and leaders
Parents and carers
Learners themselves
Communities, employers and external partners.

We will also dedicate time to examining the power of parental engagement, particularly for learners navigating transition, disadvantage or disengagement.
What to expect on the day
You will hear from a rich and diverse range of speakers, including:

Professor Stuart Kime (Evidence Based Education), sharing research on how communities of learning create the conditions for belonging across schools and colleges
Professor Haili Hughes, offering insight into disadvantaged learners, staff agency and why belonging matters just as much for educators as it does for students
Former HMI, international trainer, author and leadership coach, Meena K Wood will share insights and strategies that have proved impactful across a range of educational settings
Empathy Studios, with Ed Kirwan exploring why empathy is fundamental to healthy culture and providing practical tools to develop it
Adam Kohlbeck, Director of Teacher Quality, The Chiltern Trust will explore how leaders can move beyond rigid ‘belonging frameworks’ to authentically cultivate a sense of identity and community through practical, localised strategies
Laura Mackay, CEO, Just Like Us charity will be joined by volunteers, highlighting why LGBT+ inclusion is essential in education
InspireEDucate’s James Pope, sharing strategic approaches to purpose-led culture where every learner feels they matter.

You will also hear:

Real-world case studies from schools, with a particular focus on Key Stage 3 and Year 9, where belonging often dips
Deep dives into culture, exploring purpose, empathy and leadership through an educational lens
Insightful discussions on current challenges, including Ofsted preparedness, NEETs, SEND and supported internships.

There will be multiple live Q&A sessions, allowing you to engage directly with speakers and explore the issues most relevant to your context. This is not just about understanding the problem, it’s about acting on it.
Who should attend?
This summit is essential for professionals leading inclusion, culture and wellbeing across schools and colleges, including:

Headteachers, Principals, CEOs and Executive Leaders
Senior leaders (Deputies, Assistants)
Designated safeguarding and pastoral leads
Governors and governance professionals
Behaviour, attendance and engagement leads
PSHE and RSE coordinators
Inclusion, SEND and wellbeing practitioners
Teachers/practitioners
Local authority professionals and policy advisors.

Secure your place
Places are limited, and demand for this event is expected to be high. By attending, you will:

Learn from leading voices across schools and colleges
Be part of a meaningful, sector-wide conversation
Take away strategies that genuinely improve outcomes for learners and staff.

Early bird discount available until 23 January 2026. All prices include VAT. Group booking discounts available. Contact our team via email. Together, let’s move beyond managing symptoms, and start building educational environments where every learner belongs and can achieve their full potential.

Creating LGBT+ Inclusive Education
2026-04-16 12:15 - 13:15
In this vital one-hour session, Frankie from Just Like Us will equip you with the understanding and practical strategies to create the most inclusive environment for every young person.
Frankie’s background includes working as a teacher in London. Frankie now leads the effort to support and expand educational programmes that positively impact the lives of LGBT+ young people across the UK.
Who should attend
This is a session for all staff working in primary, secondary, sixth form and FE environments. It will be of particular interest to those working in wellbeing, student support, PSHE and inclusion.
The session will include

Key terminology refresher: A review of essential LGBT+ terminology to ensure everyone is confident and comfortable with inclusive language.
The lived experience (research and stories): An overview of Just Like Us’ landmark research (including reports like Growing up LGBT+ and Positive Futures), providing data-driven insights into the real-world experiences of LGBT+ young people. This will be brought to life with a powerful, personal story from a Just Like Us Ambassador.

Actionable steps for inclusion
We’ll explore practical, high-impact tips focusing on three key areas:

Representation and Curriculum: Reviewing resources and curriculum content to ensure LGBT+ visibility. (We’ll link to our free resource library for immediate support.)
Staff Allyship: Simple steps to support staff in stepping up as active allies. (This links to our free e-learning module.)
Creating Safe Spaces: Guidance on establishing and running a supportive club for LGBT+ pupils and allies. (This links to our free Pride Groups programme.)

The webinar will provide sufficient time for Q&A. Reserve your place now, 25% of all proceeds from this webinar will be donated to Just Like Us.

The London and South East Great Teaching Conference
2026-04-28 09:00 - 16:30 | EdCity, EdCity Walk, London, W12 7TF
Join us for The Great Teaching Conference an exceptional day of in-person professional development led by two leading voices in evidence-informed practice: Stuart Kime, Co-Founder and Director of Education at Evidence Based Education, and Adam Kohlbeck, Director of Teacher Quality at Chiltern Learning Trust.
This is a rare opportunity to spend a full day learning directly from experts who live and breathe the research on great teaching. Through a carefully curated programme grounded in the best available evidence, Stuart and Adam will guide you through what really makes a difference to pupil outcomes, cutting through fads and focusing on what works.
Expect far more than theory. You’ll engage with robust research, explore real-world examples, and take part in rich professional discussion. Every session is designed to translate evidence into action, giving you practical, “Monday morning ready” strategies you can implement immediately. The aim is simple, you leave with sharper knowledge, strengthened skills, and renewed motivation to refine your practice.
What you’ll gain from attending
Across the day, we will:

Examine the core components of great teaching and how to embed them consistently across classrooms.
Explore what effective professional learning looks like and how to make it work for all staff.
Build fluency and flexibility by identifying and addressing misconceptions in curriculum knowledge.
Unpack the research on teacher student relationships, peer relationships, learner motivation, and cultures of high expectations.
Analyse how routines, rules and high quality resources can maximise every minute of learning.
Consider how to ensure pupils think hard about the right things and reduce the distractions and barriers that get in the way of deep learning.

Who should attend?
Whether you are a classroom teacher, middle leader, senior leader, working in a school, college or training setting, this conference will help you focus your time and energy where it matters most. It is a day of rigorous thinking, practical application, and purposeful professional dialogue, real substance, real expertise, and real value for money.
If you are committed to improving outcomes and want a research-rich, expertly led professional development experience, The Great Teaching Conference is for you.
All prices include VAT. Group booking discounts available. Contact our team via email.
