Conference Programme

28 September 2026 - 30 September 2026

Manchester Central

Conference headline sponsors:

Welcome to the HMC Autumn Conference Programme 2026, ‘Leading learning beyond borders’. See the full HMC Autumn Conference 2026 programme below:

Download Programme PDF

Sunday 27 September 2026

Time	Event
09.00 - 15.30	International Day Manchester Central
14.00	Fringe activities available
17.00 - 18.00	Choral Evensong Members and Guests may wish to attend Evensong marking Harvest Thanksgiving on Sunday 27 September. The service will be held at St Ann’s Church, St Ann Street, Manchester, M2 7LF St Ann’s Church, St Ann Street

Monday 28 September 2026

Time	Event
09.00	Registration Opens Exchange Foyer, Manchester Central
09.00 - 11.00	Networking and refreshments available throughout the morning in the Conference Hub Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
09.00 - 11.00	Opportunity for School visits
09.00 - 10.00	Heads of Senior Schools and Foundations (Affiliate Member) Meeting Manchester Central
10.00 - 11.00	IB Schools Meeting Manchester Central
10.00 - 11.00	Schools in Cathedral Closes Meeting Manchester Central
11.00 -11.25	New members’ welcome Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
11.25 - 11.30	Move to the Auditorium for the start of conference proceedings
11.30 - 11.45	Conference Welcome Speaker: Simon Hyde, CEO, HMC Auditorium, Manchester Central
11.45 - 12.15	Chair’s Opening Address Speaker: Dr Anne Cotton, HMC Chair 2026-27 and Head, King’s College School Wimbledon Auditorium, Manchester Central
12.15 - 12.20	A word from our headline sponsor Auditorium, Manchester Central Kindly sponsored by Veracross
12.20 - 13.10	Keynote 1: Leading Learning: Creating leaders at every level Speaker: David Marquet Auditorium, Manchester Central Kindly sponsored by Veracross
13.10 - 14.20	New Members' Lunch Exchange 11, Manchester Central Kindly sponsored by Perry Uniform
13.10 - 14.20	Lunch and Networking Served among the exhibitors Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
14.25 - 15.10	Keynote 2: Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE and Dame Alison Peacock: in conversation Dame Alison Peacock, Chief Executive, Chartered College of Teaching, will lead an in conversation with Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, CEO of Stemettes and Chair of the Institute for the Future of Work Auditorium, Manchester Central
15.10- 16.30	Networking and refreshments available throughout the Conference Hub Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
15.20 - 16.25	CEO/Principals' networking meeting Manchester Central
16.35 - 17.20	Pioneering educational excellence: Celebrating research culture in HMC Schools Auditorium, Manchester Central
17.30 - 18.00	Dame Carol Ann Duffy: A recital Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
17.30 - 20.00	Networking drinks and early evening supper An opportunity to share an informal dining experience. Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
20.00	Off site fringe activities

Tuesday 29 September 2026

Time	Event
07.00 - 08.45	Breakfast in conference hotel and morning Fringe activities
07.45 - 08.45	Women in Leadership Networking Session Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
08.30	Exhibition opens Refreshments available Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
09.00 - 10.15	Divisional Meetings East Division International Division Irish Division London Division North East Division North West Division Scottish Division South Central Division South East Division South West and Wales Division West Division Manchester Central
10.15 - 10.20	Move to the Auditorium
10.20 - 10.30	Welcome to day two and a word from our Headline sponsor Auditorium, Manchester Central Kindly sponsored by HP with Intel
10.30 - 11.20	Panel Session: Preparing our young people for the world of work Chair: John Prideaux, Executive Editor, The Economist Panel Speakers: Raya Bidshahri, Educator and Entrepreneur, Founder/CEO, School of Humanity Raphael Mokades, Founder and Managing Director, Rare Technology Speaker TBC Auditorium, Manchester Central
11.20 - 12.15	Networking and refreshments Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
11.45 - 12.15	Roundtable Discussions 30-minute roundtable discussions designed to spark lively conversation between heads on topics that matter most to them. A valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, share learning, and explore practical approaches to the opportunities and challenges facing schools today. 1A: The evolution of the international market for HMC school branch campuses Facilitated by: Alex McGrath, Castlegate Education 1B: Curriculum intelligence: How can data and AI improve outcomes? Facilitated by: Amy Martin, Deesha AI 1C: What stays, what changes? School identity during mergers and co-ed transitions Facilitated by: Simon Burgess & Taryn Kallie, Pinnacle 1D: AI, data and the Head’s accountability Facilitated by: Mark Orchison, 9ine 1E: SEND reform: Setting a course for the future Facilitated by: Tabitha Cave & Doug Locke, VWV 1F: How can your school stand out and build a stronger recruitment pipeline? Facilitated by: Rhys Howells, Eteach Group Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
12.20 - 13.10	CPD Seminars Session 1 CPD Seminar A1: Value, choice and confidence: understanding parental expectations in a changing school market Speaker: Heather Styche-Patel, CEO, RSAcademics CPD Seminar A2: Lessons for independent schools from MATs Speaker: Stephen Ravenscroft, Partner, Head of Independent Schools, Stone King CPD Seminar A3:The Employment Rights Act Arrives in Earnest – What changes in your school this term Speaker: Alistair Wood, Edapt CPD Seminar A4: How do you take your school overseas? Speakers: Leigh Webb, CEO, ISC Research; Doug Locke, Partner, VWV; Will Dixon, COO, Lord Wandsworth College; Paul Vicars, Headmaster, Birkenhead School CPD Seminar A5: Three years of ISI’s inspection framework; what we have learned Speaker: Vanessa Ward Chief Inspector, Chief Executive Officer, ISI and Michelle Winter Senior Director Inspections ISI CPD Seminar A6: Evidence in action: doing, using and sharing research in schools Speakers: Dr Tom Perry, Associate Professor – Reader, Department for Education Studies University of Warwick; Kate Howell, Director of Education, HMC and Emma Hellyer, Head of Assessment and Innovation, HMC) CPD Seminar A7: How Heads can lead commercial activities, driving revenues beyond the boundaries of the traditional school day Speaker: Dorothy McLaren, CEO, SEA CPD Seminar A8: Does your governing body bring out the best in you? Speaker: Virginia (Ginny) Parkes, Acting Chief Executive at AGBIS (Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools) Manchester Central
13.10 - 14.25	Lunch and Networking Served among the exhibitors Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
13.30 - 14.15	Boarding Schools' Meeting Manchester Central
14.25 - 15.10	Keynote 3: What should my children do? A human's guide to the age of AI Speaker: Dr Daniel Susskind, Mercers’ School Memorial Professor of Business at Gresham College Auditorium, Manchester Central Kindly sponsored by Castlegate Education
15.10 - 15.40	Keynote 4: The evolving landscape of higher education Speaker: Ben Jordan, Director of Strategy, UCAS Auditorium, Manchester Central
15.40 -16.25	Refreshments and networking Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
16.25 - 17.15	CPD Seminars Session 2 CPD Seminar B1: Leading Teams/Restructuring Teams to drive improved transformation outcome Speaker: Mike Fekete, Founder and Director, Bespoke Change CPD Seminar B2: Viral, visible, vulnerable: protecting your school’s reputation when things go wrong Speaker: Miriam Rich, Director, Miriam Rich Associates Limited CPD Seminar B3: Developing a Financial Strategy for Your School Speaker: Dan Leaman, Partner, Moore Kingston Smith CPD Seminar B4: Managed school closure: How can HMC schools offer meaningful support when other schools face closure? Speakers: Amber Waite, Principal & CEO, St Albans Education Group and Mike Lewis MBE, COO of St Albans Education Group CPD Seminar B5: Managing Complex and Tactical Grievances in Education Speaker: Jane Hallas, Head of Team & Solicitor and Education Lead, Worknest CPD Seminar B6: Supporting Girls’ Physical Activity: Creating Inclusive Cultures for Lifelong Engagement Speakers: Chris Dossett, Chair, Professional Association of Directors of Sport in Independent Schools (PADSIS) and Rachael Masterman, Director of Sport, Barnard Castle School CPD Seminar B7: From Myths to Momentum: Taking inspiration from American fundraising strategies Speakers: Judith Solberg, Associate Director of Advancement, Cardigan Mountain School and Lou Bennett, CEO, IDPE Manchester Central
17.15 - 19.15	Fringe Activities available
19.15 - 19.45	Drinks reception The Midland Hotel
19.45 - 22.00	HMC Autumn Conference Dinner The Midland Hotel Kindly sponsored by Lenovo

Wednesday 30 September 2026

Time	Event
07.00 - 08.45	Breakfast in conference hotels
08.30	Exhibition Opens Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
08.45 - 09.15	Networking and refreshments Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
08.45 - 09.15	Roundtable discussions 30-minute roundtable discussions designed to spark lively conversation between heads on topics that matter most to them. A valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, share learning, and explore practical approaches to the opportunities and challenges facing schools today. 2A: The evolution of the international market for HMC school branch campuses Facilitated by: Alex McGrath, Castlegate Education 2B: From bricks to bytes: How can sustainable buildings and smarter technology prepare education for a changing climate? Facilitated by: Ben Wharton, Managed Services Specialist, Hewlett Packard and Tom Waddicor, Associate Director, Maccreanor Lavington 2C: Unions are getting more powers. What does that mean for you and your staff? Facilitated by: Alistair Wood, Edapt 2D: Creating a culture of strong yet compassionate leadership: what responsibility do we have for our colleagues’ wellbeing? Facilitated by: Sue Woodroofe, HMC Professional Services 2E: SEND reform: Setting a course for the future Facilitated by: Tabitha Cave and Doug Locke, VWV 2F: How can your school estate work harder without compromising its educational purpose? Facilitated by: Rhys Howells, Eteach Group 2G: Could your school estate deliver more without compromising its educational purpose? Facilitated by: Amy Sweetapple & Sian Langton, Morleys Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
09.15 - 09.20	Move to auditorium
09.20 - 09.30	Welcome to day three and a word from our headline sponsor Auditorium, Manchester Central Kindly sponsored by Vectare
09.30 - 10.15	Keynote 5: From Doom to Bloom: how can we help re-future young people’s lives? Speakers: Annie Auerbach and Adam Chmielowski, Co-Founders, Starling Strategy Auditorium, Manchester Central
10.15 - 11.00	Keynote 6: Leading with Humanity Speaker: Joe Garner, Advisor to CEOs Auditorium, Manchester Central
11.00 - 11.30	Refreshments and Networking Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
11.30 - 11.45	AGM Registration All members must register upon entry to the Auditorium
11.45 - 12.45	Members' only session: AGM Auditorium, Manchester Central
12.45 - 13.00	Closing Remarks Speaker: Dr Anne Cotton, HMC Chair 2026-27 and Head, King’s College School, Wimbledon Auditorium, Manchester Central
13.00 - 14.30	Lunch and final catch ups Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
14.30 -16.30	Optional Workshop: Global citizenship: Reimagining education for a more peaceful, more sustainable future Facilitated by: Andrew Watson, CEO, Sustainability Education (SusEd) In partnership with Sustainability Education (SusEd), we are delighted to offer members a free-of-charge opportunity to attend a workshop on Reimagining education for a more peaceful, more sustainable future. You will be invited to explore how education may evolve beyond traditional boundaries – curricular, cultural, and institutional – if it is to become a force for peace, sustainability, and systems transformation. Manchester Central

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