International Programme

27 September 2026

Manchester Central

Conference headline sponsors:

International members are invited to a 1 day International day taking place on Sunday 27 September at Manchester Central.

See the full international day programme below:

Download Programme PDF

Sunday 27 September 2026

Time	Event
09.00 - 09.20	Registration and coffee Exchange 11, Manchester Central
09.20 – 09.30	Welcome and introductions Speakers: Dr Anne Cotton, HMC Chair and Head, King’s College School, Wimbledon Ruth Sanderson, HMC Head of International Member Services Nick Hammond, HMC Chair, International Division and Principal, British School of Paris Exchange 9, Manchester Central
09.30 – 10.15	Session 1: Hold, Evolve, Reimagine: A Decision Framework for What International Schools Should Protect, Adapt, and Let Go Of Speaker: Raya Bidshahri, Educator and Entrepreneur, Founder/CEO, School of Humanity As international schools navigate mounting pressure from parents, regulators, and a rapidly shifting world, the instinct is often to either defend everything or disrupt everything. This talk offers a more useful path: a three-tier framework for discerning leaders who want to act with intention rather than anxiety. We’ll explore what high-performing schools should hold, relational learning, structured challenge, high expectations, what they should evolve, report cards, timetabling, the role of the teacher, and what they should be willing to reimagine entirely: high-stakes summative assessment, the meaning of a credential, the geography of a campus, the definition of a cohort. Drawing on case studies from School of Humanity’s work across 45+ countries, the talk moves from principle to practice. Attendees will engage with real examples of mastery-based progression, challenge-based and interdisciplinary curriculum design, reimagined summative assessment, and learning that crosses borders, through hybrid models, global immersion weeks, and exchange programs. Throughout, the focus is on systems thinking: identifying the actual levers for change, and building the parent and community buy-in needed to pull them. This isn’t a talk about what schools could look like in theory. It’s a practical framework for leaders who are already asking the right questions, and need help deciding which answers are worth the risk. Exchange 9, Manchester Central
10.15 - 11.05	Session 2: Peer sharing session: Across our borders Panel Speakers: Kate Ingamells-Bland – Headteacher, The Grange School, Chile Tomas Duckling – Headmaster, Dubai College, UAE Sarah Raffray – Executive Principal, King’s College International School, Bangkok, Thailand Chair: Louise Simpson – CEO, The British School in The Netherlands Exchange 9, Manchester Central
11.05 -11.15	International Day Conference Sponsor Exchange 9, Manchester Central
11.15 - 11.45	Refreshment Break Exchange 11, Manchester Central
11.45 - 12.45	Interactive Masterclass Part 1: The Listening Leader: Creating Cultures of Trust, Connection and Fun Speaker: Jenny Mosley, Director and Founder of Quality Circle Time Charter 9, Manchester Central
12.45 - 13.45	Lunch Exchange 11, Manchester Central
13.45 – 15.15	Interactive Masterclass Part 2: The Listening Leader: Creating Cultures of Trust, Connection and Fun Speaker: Jenny Mosley, Director and Founder of Quality Circle Time Charter 6. Manchester Central
15.15 - 15.30	Closing Reflections Speaker: Nick Hammond, HMC Chair, International Division and Principal, British School of Paris Charter 9, Manchester Central
15.30 - 15.40	International Division Photograph Manchester Central
19.00	International Conference Drinks Reception and Dinner Chetham’s School of Music

Back to HMC Autumn Conference 2026

Get Directions