Monday 13th April 2026

Booking opens at 8.00am on Friday 27th February 2026

It's our 10th anniversary as a Trust!

We have a new conference venue this year, with ample free parking and plenty of space to network, particpate in relevant and meaningful breakout sessions, and be inspired by our guest keynote speakers - Maggie Alphonsi - Rugby World Cup–winning former England international, and Eddie the Eagle - Britain’s first Olympic ski jumper, famed for his fearless determination and underdog journey at the 1988 Winter Games. We have sessions for teaching staff, site staff and office staff and will end the day with another inspiring performance from the Manor MAT Choir.

Full details of all the breakout sessions will be updated on this page for your information, and then booking opens at 8.00am on Friday 27th February 2026.

new venue!

Key points before you arrive...

01.

Registration and refreshments from 8.15am. Sign-in upon arrival. Conference begins at 9.00am in the Ringside Suite.

02.

Ensure you have booked in and chosen your selected breakout sessions.

03.

Bring your school ID badge to sign-in.

04.

There is plenty of free parking at the venue. You can stay overnight at the Holiday Inn for a 10% discount. Contact us for details.

05.

Lunch and refreshments are available. Allergies and specific diets have been catered for. If you would prefer to bring your own lunch, you are welcome to do so.

New Conference Venue!

This year we are at Dunstall Park.

Arrival from 8.15am

There is ample free parking at venue.

Enter the site via the Holiday Inn.

Dunstall Park,

47 Dunstall Mews,

Wolverhampton

WV6 0PE

Keynote Speakers

Here is who will be sharing with us throughout the day...

Hayley Guest

As the CEO of Manor Multi Academy Trust, Hayley Guest is the driving force behind a culture rooted in high expectations, integrity, and the "Trust" values that define our organisation. With a career defined by an unwavering commitment to social mobility, Hayley has successfully led the Trust in creating inclusive learning environments where both students and staff are empowered to reach their full potential.

In her keynote, Hayley will share her strategic vision for the future of the Trust, focusing on:

Values-Driven Leadership: How building a foundation of transparency and mutual respect drives institutional success.
Collaborative Innovation: The power of collective strength in raising educational standards across diverse communities.
Empowering the Next Generation: Strategies for fostering resilience and ambition in today’s rapidly changing landscape.

Hayley’s leadership is a testament to the idea that with the right support and a shared mission, there are no limits to what our schools and children can achieve.

'

Maggie Alphonsi

With 74 England caps and a Rugby World Cup victory, Maggie Alphonsi is a proven leader and a true champion. As a renowned motivational speaker and diversity advocate, she masterfully draws parallels between the elite strategies of international rugby and the challenges of the modern business world.

Maggie’s captivating storytelling provides invaluable lessons on:

High-Performance Leadership: Building resilient, winning teams.
Overcoming Adversity: Cultivating the mindset needed to achieve peak performance.
Inclusive Culture: Leveraging her experience on the RFU Council to drive diversity and equity.

A respected media professional and change-maker, Maggie inspires audiences to foster inclusion and strive for greatness. We are honored to have her lead our Trust conference.

Eddie the Eagle

Find Eddie the Eagle on BBC iPlayer - available until 2nd March.

Michael Edwards, better known as “Eddie the Eagle,” remains one of the most beloved figures in sporting history. As the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping, Eddie’s journey to the 1988 Calgary Winter Games captured the world’s imagination - not for the medals he won, but for the sheer courage it took to compete.

In his captivating talks, Eddie shares the incredible story of his rise from a self-funded underdog to a global phenomenon. He offers unique insights into:

Resilience & Grit: How to keep moving forward when the odds are stacked against you.
Calculated Risk: Navigating fear and taking the "leap" in both life and business.
The Power of Persistence: Why "failing" is often the most important step toward success.

A world-class storyteller with a trademark sense of humor, Eddie inspires audiences to embrace their challenges with optimism and bravery. He is the ultimate reminder that with enough determination, anyone can fly.

Anita Cliff

O.B.E; B.Ed; M.Ed;NLE; FCCT

Our CEA, Anita Cliff, will be co-launching this years' conference with our theme "Belonging".

Agenda

Arrival from 8.15am on Monday 13th April

Registration and coffee in the Concourse, everyone moving to the Ringside Suite ready to start at 9.00am

9.00am Keynote - Hayley Guest & Anita Cliff - Ringside Suite

9.30am Keynote - Maggie Alphonsi - Ringside Suite

10.30am - 10.55am Refreshment Break

Breakout Session A:

10.55am - 11.40am Culture of Excellence - Wendy Jackson - Ringside Suite - 400 places

for all Teachers and Support Staff

10.55am - 11.40am Non-Teaching Staff sessions: Upstairs (lift available)

for Office and Admin Staff - Tracey Evans - Sunbeam Room - 100 places

for Site Staff - Bill Gwilt & James Rowden - Taylex Room - 100 places

Breakout Session B:

11.40am - 12.35pm - Teacher Wellbeing Coach

Charlie Burley - Ringside Suite - 200 places

Session repeated at 1.30pm

11.45am - 12.45pm - Upstairs (lift available)

New Ofsted Framework - Lynda Townsend & Donna O'Toole - Sunbeam Room - 200 places

Pupil Premium / Empowerment Pathway - Karl Rogerson - Taylex Room - 100 places

Operational Excellence ISBL Framework - Mark Bilney - Box Room 1 - 70 places

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) - Carol Sutton - Room 17 - 40 places

Lunch

Breakout Session C:

1.20pm - 2.20pm - Upstairs (lift available)

Leadership Pathway (Shadow Days) - Alan Rogers - Sunbeam Room - 200 places

Pupil Premium / Empowerment Pathway - Karl Rogerson - Taylex Room - 100 places

Appropriate Provisions/SEND Highlights - Fiona Beardsley - Box Room 1 - 70 places

Intro to Gestalt Language Processing - Hazel Shaw - Room 17 - 40 places

1.30pm - 2.20pm Teacher Wellbeing

Charlie Burley - Ringside Suite - 200 places

Session repeated from the morning.

All return to the Ringside Suite

2.30pm - 3.30pm Keynote - Eddie the Eagle - Ringside Suite

3.30pm MAT Choir Performance - Ringside Suite