Conference Programme | HMC Autumn Conference 2025
29 September 2025 - 1 October 2025
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
Welcome to the HMC Autumn Conference Programme 2025, ‘A Future Worth Teaching: sharing our excellence’. See the full HMC Autumn Conference 2025 programme below:
Monday 29 September 2025
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 11.00 – 14.00 |
Registration Open
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 11.00 – 13.00 |
Finance, Audit and Risk Committee Meeting
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 11.00 - 12.00 |
CEO/Principals’ networking meeting
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 12.00 – 12.45 |
IBDP Schools Meeting
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 12.00 – 13.00 |
Schools in Cathedral Closes Meeting
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 12.00 – 13.00 |
Affiliate Member Meeting
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 12.00 – 13.00 |
Boarding Schools' Meeting
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 12.45 - 13.50 |
Lunch and Networking
Served among the exhibitors
Main Hall
|
| 12.45 - 13.50 |
Private drinks and lunch for new members and their partners/spouses
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 13.50 – 14.00 |
Move to the Auditorium for the start of conference proceedings
|
| 14.00 – 14.10 |
Conference Welcome
Auditorium
|
| 14.10 - 14.45 |
Chair’s Opening Address
Speaker: Philip Britton, HMC Chair 2025-26 and Head of Foundation, Bolton School Conference Centre
|
| 14.50 – 15.25 |
Keynote session 1: Success Always Comes Second
Speaker: Gavin Horgan, Headmaster, Millfield School Auditorium
|
| 15.25 – 16.00 |
Keynote 2: 'Geeks like us' How music and creativity thrive in our Schools and how we protect and nurture talent
Speakers: Nicola Smith and Tom Redmond, Joint Principals, Chetham’s School of Music Auditorium
|
| 16.00 – 16.30 |
Refreshments and networking
Served among the exhibitors Main Hall
|
| 17.00 – 17.45 |
Annual Service
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 19.00 - 19.30 |
Drinks Reception
Caernarfon Suite, Celtic Manor Resort
|
| 19.30 - 22.00 |
Dinner
Caernarfon Suite, Celtic Manor Resort
|
Tuesday 30 September 2025
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 07.00 - 08.45 |
Breakfast
|
| 07.30 - 08.30 |
Catholic Mass
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 07.30 - 08.30 |
Holy Communion
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 09.00 – 09.10 |
Welcome to day two
Speaker: Philip Britton MBE, Head of Foundation, Bolton School, and Chair of HMC 2025-26 Auditorium
|
| 09.10 – 09.55 |
Keynote 3: Transformational change in ancient institutions
Speakers: The Rt. Hon. Sir Ernest Ryder Conference Centre
|
| 09.55 – 10.45 |
Bursary panel
Speakers: Ali Henderson, Chief Executive Officer, Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation Adam Crook, Partner, Goldman Sachs John Roberts, Founder and CEO, AO World. Auditorium
|
| 10.45 – 11.00 |
IDPE Report Findings
Auditorium
|
| 11.00 - 11.45 |
Refreshments and networking
Served among the exhibitors Main Hall
|
| 11.45 -11.55 |
Move to the next session
|
| 11.55 – 13.00 |
Members' only session: Divisional Meetings
|
| 13.00 – 13.50 |
Lunch and Networking
Served among the exhibitors
Main Hall
|
| 13.50– 14.00 |
Movement between sessions
|
| 14.00 – 14.50 |
CPD Seminars Session 1
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 14.50 – 15.00 |
Move between sessions
|
| 15.00 – 15.50 |
Workshop sessions
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 15.50 - 16.20 |
Refreshments and Networking
Served among the exhibitors Main Hall
|
| 16.30 – 17.30 |
CPD Seminars session 2
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 17.30 – 19.00 |
Free Time
|
| 19.00 – 19.30 |
Drinks reception
Caernarfon Suite, Celtic Manor Resort
|
| 19.30 - 22.00 |
HMC Autumn Conference Dinner
Caernarfon Suite, Celtic Manor Resort
|
Wednesday 1 October 2025
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 07.00 - 08.45 |
Breakfast
|
| 08.45 – 09.00 |
AGM Registration
All members must register upon entry to the Auditorium Auditorium
|
| 09.00 – 10.00 |
Members' only session: AGM
Auditorium
|
| 10.00 – 10.45 |
Keynote 4: Leading with Learning in Mind: Putting the “Education” in Educational Leadership.
Speakers: Jim Heal, Director of Practice, Research Schools International
Auditorium
|
| 10.45 – 10.55 |
Movement between sessions
|
| 10.55 – 11.35 |
Roundtable session 1
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 11.35 – 12.00 |
Refreshments and Networking
Served among the exhibitors
Main Hall
|
| 12.00 – 12.40 |
Roundtable Session 2
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
|
| 12.40 – 12.50 |
Movement between sessions
|
| 12.50 -13.30 |
Keynote 5: Title TBC
Speaker: Sabrina Cohen-Hatton Auditorium
|
| 13.30 - 13.35 |
Closing Remarks
Speaker: Philip Britton MBE, Head of Foundation, Bolton School, and Chair of HMC 2025-26 Auditorium
|
| 13.35 – 14.00 |
Lunch and Networking
Served among the exhibitors The Library Bar and Rotunda is available for members who wish to have a quiet meeting space for informal networking and discussions. Main Hall
|