Unity Day 2025: Full Schedule

9:30am BST

Becoming a Head of Year LIMITED

Friday June 27, 2025 9:30am - 10:25am BST

G-3

Becoming a Head of Year for new and prospective new Heads of Year.

Speakers

Jake Brown

Head of Year, County High

Friday June 27, 2025 9:30am - 10:25am BST
G-3 G Block, Sixth Form

Leadership, Teachers

9:30am BST

How can the things we do in school undermine a sense of belonging? FILLING

Friday June 27, 2025 9:30am - 10:25am BST

210

We'll llook at what the international research base tells us about belonging in terms of what affects it and what effect a strong sednse of belonging has. We'll consider what it means in our contexts. Do you think you know what promotes belonging in your school? Does it match watch your students think? How do you manage the trade off between behaviour management and promoting belonging? Find out what we discovered when we researched what undermines belonging in our school.

Speakers

Tony Green

Felixstowe School

Friday June 27, 2025 9:30am - 10:25am BST
210 Second Floor TGS

Leadership, Teachers, Senior Leadership Team, All staff, Head Teachers, Deputy Head Teachers/Assistant Head Teachers, Trainee Teachers, Early Career Teachers

9:30am BST

Leaders, Dinosaurs & Rebellion FILLING

Friday June 27, 2025 9:30am - 10:25am BST

201

This isn’t your average leadership talk. Get ready to ditch the dusty leadership manuals and embrace your inner rebel. Leaders, Dinosaurs & Rebellion is all about challenging outdated thinking, dodging extinction, and sparking new energy in how you lead your teams. Expect stories, laughs, lightbulb moments, and a serious call to arms. Because safe leadership is extinct leadership. And you? You’re here to build the future, not survive the past.

Speakers

Tom Hines

Founder & Director, Hinesight | Leadership - Consultancy - Coaching

With over a decade leading development teams in some of the largest corporate organisations in the world, across multiple continents, Tom has cultivated a unique approach to personal and professional development both in the workplace, and in day to day life. Tom founded Hinesight... Read More →

Friday June 27, 2025 9:30am - 10:25am BST
201 Second Floor TGS

Leadership, All Managers & Leaders

9:30am BST

The Courage to Lead: Navigating Imposter Syndrome as a Headteacher LIMITED

Friday June 27, 2025 9:30am - 10:25am BST

203

In this presentation, I’m opening up about my own journey with imposter syndrome as a headteacher—what it is, how it creeps in, and the impact it can have on leadership. I’ll share the doubts I’ve faced, the courage it takes to push through, and the strategies that have helped me belong and quiet my inner critic.

Speakers

Emma Wilson-Downes

Felixstowe School

Friday June 27, 2025 9:30am - 10:25am BST
203 Second Floor TGS

Leadership, Leaders and aspirant leaders

10:35am BST

Belonging in a Team - surviving & thriving FULL

Friday June 27, 2025 10:35am - 11:30am BST

107

Belonging to a team matters. Together, we will explore the important dynamics of belonging in a team, whether that is family, work, community or sports. We will consider purpose, inclusivity, identity and challenges of team development and how teams can work safely and effectively towards common goals. I am fascinated by what it takes to feel safe and happy in a team, and to help people continue to learn and grow.

Speakers

Chris Ryall

Deputy Headteacher, Thomas Gainsborough

Teaching & Learning and Curriculum Deputy at Thomas Gainsborough School, where I have worked since 2003.

Friday June 27, 2025 10:35am - 11:30am BST
107 First Floor TGS

Leadership, All staff

10:35am BST

Championing Attendance! FULL

Friday June 27, 2025 10:35am - 11:30am BST

113

This is a session on strategies that we have implemented to improve attendance at Coupals this academic year. Please feel free to join our session - or sign up - to hear about how we have made attendance 'everyone's business' at Coupals!

Speakers

Nicola Payne

coupals

Thomas Wade

Friday June 27, 2025 10:35am - 11:30am BST
113 First Floor TGS

Leadership, All staff

10:35am BST

Unlock the Power of Informal Workplace Mediation! FILLING

Friday June 27, 2025 10:35am - 11:30am BST

G-3

Conflicts at work are inevitable—but they don’t have to disrupt productivity or morale. Join our Informal Workplace Mediation Training to learn practical techniques for resolving disputes early, fostering collaboration, and maintaining a positive work environment.

Speakers

Angela Bull

Central Team

Friday June 27, 2025 10:35am - 11:30am BST
G-3 G Block, Sixth Form

Leadership, Senior Leadership Team, Line managers, Deputy Head Teachers/Assistant Head Teachers, Head Teachers

11:40am BST

Balancing leadership and collaboration: Navigating the role as a new Deputy or Assistant Headteacher FULL

Friday June 27, 2025 11:40am - 12:35pm BST

204

This presentation aims to equip new Deputy and Assistant Headteachers with practical strategies for effectively balancing their leadership responsibilities with fostering strong, collaborative relationships with the rest of the school staff. Participants will gain insights in how to navigate their new role while ensuring they maintain trust, support, and communication across all levels of the school community.

Speakers

Dan Gudgeon

Friday June 27, 2025 11:40am - 12:35pm BST
204 Second Floor TGS

Leadership, Deputy Head Teachers/Assistant Head Teachers, Senior Leadership Team

11:40am BST

Distributed Leadership LIMITED

Friday June 27, 2025 11:40am - 12:35pm BST

205

Sharing their experiences from the last twelve years, Lisa and Jane will talk about how a distributed leadership model has enabled their staff and children to thrive! They will share how a distributed leadership model has the potential to create a 'tidal wave' of improvements! They will talk about creating a collaborative environment where leadership responsibilities are shared across various staff members which allows for better decision-making, increased teacher empowerment, improved professional development, and a more holistic approach to addressing pupil needs, ultimately leading to better overall school performance, essentially, it leverages the diverse expertise within the school to benefit all pupils by allowing multiple voices to be heard and contribute to the decision-making process.

Speakers

Jane Sendall

Executive Headteacher/Head of School, Place Farm

Lisa McConnell

Head of School, Place Farm

your invite to manage LSV's.

Friday June 27, 2025 11:40am - 12:35pm BST
205 Second Floor TGS

Leadership, Senior Leadership Team, Head Teachers, Deputy Head Teachers/Assistant Head Teachers, Governors

11:40am BST

Guiding Growth: Informal Strategies for Employee Development LIMITED

Friday June 27, 2025 11:40am - 12:35pm BST

108

This session will explore how to identify development needs early, provide constructive feedback, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. By taking a proactive approach, managers can help employees reach their full potential while supporting overall organisational success.

Speakers

Emma Adams

Central Team

Jude Saward

Central Team

Friday June 27, 2025 11:40am - 12:35pm BST
108 First Floor TGS

Leadership, Senior Leadership Team, Head Teachers, Deputy Head Teachers/Assistant Head Teachers, Line Managers

11:40am BST

Leaders, Dinosaurs & Rebellion LIMITED

Friday June 27, 2025 11:40am - 12:35pm BST

201

Speakers

Tom Hines

Founder & Director, Hinesight | Leadership - Consultancy - Coaching

Friday June 27, 2025 11:40am - 12:35pm BST
201 Second Floor TGS

Leadership, All Managers & Leaders

11:40am BST

The Coaching Habit FILLING

Friday June 27, 2025 11:40am - 12:35pm BST

203

Michael Bungay Stanier's book 'The Coaching Habit' is the biggest selling coaching book of the 21st century. In this workshop, we will look at how his mantra of 'Say Less, Ask More' and his seven essential coaching questions can be applied to education, from corridor coaching to effective questioning in lessons, in order to increase pupil outcomes, empower staff and improve your own wellbeing!

Speakers

David Perkins

Headteacher, Laureate

I'm a qualified executive and instructional coach, trained in a wide range of coaching methodologies including solution-focussed, dilemma-based, BASIC and instructional coaching; most of my coaching outside of Unity Schools Partnership is for Leeds Beckett University's DfE-funded... Read More →

Friday June 27, 2025 11:40am - 12:35pm BST
203 Second Floor TGS

Leadership, Teachers, Senior Leadership Team, Head Teachers, Deputy Head Teachers/Assistant Head Teachers, Governors

11:40am BST

What makes for a successful governing board? LIMITED

Friday June 27, 2025 11:40am - 12:35pm BST

107

When lexicographer Dr Samuel Johnson was asked, ‘What is poetry?’ he replied, ‘It is easier to say what it is not’. So with governance: when governance is confident and competent, the organisation it oversees flows smoothly. When governance falters, the reverberations are quickly felt – and tend to attract adverse publicity in the blink of an eye.

Roy Blatchford explores the dynamic partnership of those who govern and those who are governed.

Suitable for school leaders and governors.

Speakers

Roy Blatchford

Friday June 27, 2025 11:40am - 12:35pm BST
107 First Floor TGS

Leadership, Senior Leadership Team

12:45pm BST

Aspiring Middle Leaders Programme Graduation LIMITED

Friday June 27, 2025 12:45pm - 1:40pm BST

105

A session for all AML CPD programme participants to come together and complete the final element of the programme.

Speakers

Stephanie Pitts

Breckland School

Friday June 27, 2025 12:45pm - 1:40pm BST
105 First Floor TGS

Leadership, Teachers

12:45pm BST

Climate Change is a School Safeguarding Issue: How your DfE-mandated Climate Action Plans can help. LIMITED

Friday June 27, 2025 12:45pm - 1:40pm BST

303

The Department for Education (DfE) has stated that every school has a Climate Action Plan (CAP) by the end of 2025. There are four pillars: climate education and green careers, biodiversity, adaptation and resilience, and decarbonisation. This workshop will outline the evidence that all climate change is a safeguarding issue for your schools and how your DfE CAP can address this as well as take climate action in various ways by utilising the wealth of free DfE-funded support available.

Speakers

Climate Ambassadors

Kit Marie Rackley

Climate Ambassadors East of England Regional Hub Manager, and consultant to the GA., University of East Anglia

Kit Marie Rackley (she/they) is the East of England’s regional coordinator for the nation-wide Climate Ambassadors scheme and related schemes to support educational establishments with their DfE Climate Change and Sustainability Education Strategy efforts. She has 13 years experience... Read More →

Friday June 27, 2025 12:45pm - 1:40pm BST
303 Third Floor TGS

Leadership, Governors, Deputy Head Teachers/Assistant Head Teachers, SENDCOs, Head Teachers, Senior Leadership Team

12:45pm BST

Master the Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback! LIMITED

Friday June 27, 2025 12:45pm - 1:40pm BST

G-3

Effective feedback drives growth, boosts morale, and strengthens teams. Join our feedback skills training to learn how to deliver constructive feedback with confidence and receive input with openness.

Speakers

Angela Bull

Central Team

Friday June 27, 2025 12:45pm - 1:40pm BST
G-3 G Block, Sixth Form

Leadership, Senior Leadership Team, Head Teachers, Deputy Head Teachers/Assistant Head Teachers, Line managers

1:50pm BST

'A good thing, done well': utilising the updated EEF implementation guidance LIMITED

Friday June 27, 2025 1:50pm - 2:45pm BST

G-4

An educational approach or idea may seem great in principle, but what really matters is how it manifests itself in the day-to-day work of people in schools. The EEF's guidance on effective implementation, and its accompanying resources, help us select, and embed, evidence-informed approaches in line with our vision for improvement. This session will consider how the guidance's new focus on behaviours and context, and refined process can support leaders when implementing change.

Speakers

Andy Samways

Director of Teaching School Hub and Research School, Central Team

Andy is Director of Teaching School Hub and Research School for the Unity Schools Partnership, roles that focus on the design and delivery of high quality, evidence informed professional development within and beyond Suffolk.

Friday June 27, 2025 1:50pm - 2:45pm BST
G-4 G Block, Sixth Form

Leadership, Senior Leadership Team, SENDCOs, Head Teachers, Deputy Head Teachers/Assistant Head Teachers, Governors

1:50pm BST

Leaders, Dinosaurs & Rebellion FILLING

Friday June 27, 2025 1:50pm - 2:45pm BST

201

Speakers

Tom Hines

Founder & Director, Hinesight | Leadership - Consultancy - Coaching

Friday June 27, 2025 1:50pm - 2:45pm BST
201 Second Floor TGS

Leadership, All Managers & Leaders

1:50pm BST

Upper Pay Range | Successfully Negotiating the Application Process LIMITED

Friday June 27, 2025 1:50pm - 2:45pm BST

303

De-mystifying the UPR application process, this session will look at the responsibility of applicants and what a successful application would need to include, through to key points for assessors to consider.

Speakers

Matthew Fuller

Director of Education, Central Team

Friday June 27, 2025 1:50pm - 2:45pm BST
303 Third Floor TGS

Leadership, Teachers, Senior Leadership Team, Head Teachers, Deputy Head Teachers/Assistant Head Teachers, Early Career Teachers, Trainee Teachers, Governors

1:50pm BST

Using the DFE banding tools to improve attendance LIMITED

Friday June 27, 2025 1:50pm - 2:45pm BST

208

I will share the insight dashboards, summary reports and banding tools in a practical session. This will bring headteachers closer to the work that attendance champions are leading on and enable them to gain a deeper insight into data profiles.

Speakers