BESA's annual summer member event returns for 2024 at The Oval Cricket Ground this July!

As always, the day will offer BESA members an informative mix of discussions and talks from a range of inspiring and influential guest speakers, followed by networking with fellow members over an al fresco lunch overlooking the cricket ground. We look forward to welcoming all of our members (and cricket fans!) back for this year's event.

Agenda:

09.00 - Registration, breakfast, tea and coffee

09.30 - Welcome and introduction

Julia Garvey, Acting Director General, BESA

09.35 - Operational Excellence in the UK and USA As a natural evolution from their work on Professional Standards, ISBL has commissioned unique research into Operational Excellence, which looks at the ingredients for the success of any organisation, including but not limited to people, culture, and systems and their effective deployment. Stephen will be comparing and contrasting well-developed industry practices with what ISBL observe in this country’s education system and a sample of districts from across the United States.

Stephen Morales, CEO, Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL)

10.10 - Panel discussion: Bridging the procurement gap between suppliers, schools and MATs The education landscape is rapidly evolving, and the collaboration between education suppliers, schools, and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of learning. This panel discussion aims to foster dialogue, share insights, and explore strategies for effective collaboration between education suppliers and institutions regarding effective procurement. The discussion will be enriched by the diverse perspectives of our esteemed panellists representing schools, MATs, and suppliers.

• Chair: Stephen Morales, CEO, Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL)
• Trudy Spillane, Executive Principal, Drapers' Multi-Academy Trust
• Sarah Morgan, CEO, Great Learners Trust
• Simon Hill, Managing Director, YPO and Chair of BESA Executive Council
• Lana Stoyles, Head of Business Transformation, Nexus MAT

10.40 - Insights on the General Election In association with the Education Policy Institute, this presentation will explore the upcoming EPI report on the education manifestos of various political parties, highlighting their commitments and proposed policies for the education sector. This comprehensive evaluation aims to inform stakeholders about each party's priorities and potential impact on the educational landscape.

Jon Andrews, Head of Analysis and Director for School System and Performance, Education Policy Institute

11.20 - Coffee and networking

11.30 - Engaging with Educators! These roundtable discussions will be facilitated by subject and aspect leaders who have purchasing power from primary and secondary schools, as well as Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs). During these discussions, they will share insights into current challenges and opportunities across a range of topics. This is a valuable chance for peer-to-peer interaction, allowing you to ask questions, share best practices, and network with school leaders and fellow BESA members. 

• Martin Bailey, Senior Teacher, Ellington Primary School
• Pip Bhol, Digital Learning Lead, Kings Cross Academy
• Julia Burns, Headteacher, Mowlem Primary School
• Emma Darcy, Director of Technology for Learning, Denbigh High School
• Alison Day, Executive Director, LEO Academy
• Alexandra Lakhan, Head of MFL, Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls
• Nicola Maher, Learning Skills Leader, Woodford Green Preparatory School
• Kajol Miah, Computing Lead, Rush Green Primary School 
• Sarah Morgan, CEO, Great Learners Trust
• Hilary Power, CEO, The Tennyson Learning Community
• Katy Potts, Primary ICT and Computing Service, Islington Council
• Jo Quince, Director of Education, Tennyson Learning Community
• Rachel Smyth, Head of English, Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls
• Molly Vingoe, Science and STEM Lead, Drapers’ Maylands Primary School
• Toya Willmot, Challenge and Support Partner, Great Learners Trust
• Bukky Yusuf, Senior Leader, Edith Kay School

12.30 - Insights from the prep school sector: What can BESA members glean from the characteristics and behaviours of prep schools? As Chief Executive of IAPS, Dominic Norrish is closely connected to the views, priorities and concerns of the 650+ headteachers in membership. He came to this role following a decade as an executive at United Learning. His session will share insights from the prep school sector to help BESA members better engage and further understand its unique characteristics and behaviours.

Dominic Norrish, Chief Executive, Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS)

13.15 - Closing remarks

Julia Garvey, Deputy Director General, BESA

13.20 - Alfresco buffet lunch, BESA Awards and networking

17.00 - Close of event

Key speakers:

Stephen Morales, CEO, Institute of School Business Leadership

Stephen has a 20-year career history in operations and finance, working at a senior level in the public and private sectors, both in the UK and abroad. Stephen presided over the development and implementation of nationally recognised school business leadership professional standards and led the transition from the National Association of School Business Management to the Institute of School Business Leadership. Stephen works closely with the Department for Education in areas of policy reform, and his commitment to research to aid our self-improving system includes ongoing engagement with international jurisdictions including Australia, Europe, the Middle East and the US.

Dominic Norrish, Chief Executive, Independent Association of Prep Schools

Dominic is Chief Executive of IAPS (Independent Association of Prep Schools), the largest Heads’ association in the independent sector, serving schools in the UK and globally. Prior to this, he was Chief Operating Officer at United Learning, with responsibilities spanning digital, HR and marketing for their then 90+ independent and state schools, his experience leading them through the pandemic capping a decade spent working at scale to create education-focused services to support school effectiveness. He began his career as a Year 5 teacher before moving into school leadership roles and time spent in the private sector.

Jon Andrews, Head of Analysis and Director for School System and Performance, Education Policy Institute

Jon Andrews is Head of Analysis and Director for School System and Performance at EPI. He has published a wide range of studies including: ‘The performance of multi-academy trusts and local authorities’, ‘School revenue balances in England’, ‘Access to special schools in England’, and ‘Grammar schools and social mobility’ as well as leading EPI’s work at the last two general elections. He worked in the Department for Education from 2003 to 2016 as a statistician.

Panellists:

Simon Hill, Managing Director, YPO and Chair of BESA Executive Council

Simon joined YPO in July 2011 from former regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, where he was Executive Director. Previously, Simon was managing director of electronics automotive manufacturer Kostal UK Ltd. With experience across procurement, sales, and general management, he also has 10 years public sector and 20 years commercial experience. Simon is also an elected executive council member of BESA, the British Educational Suppliers Association and company secretary of YPO Procurement Holdings Limited.

Trudy Spillane, Executive Principal, Drapers' Multi-Academy Trust

Trudy Spillane is an experienced leader with experience across all sectors of education. Currently the Executive Principal of two Primary schools within the Trust, Trudy has also been leading on projects across the Trust including Lead for Teaching and Learning with particular focus on the educational journey for pupils across Key Stages. Her career path is varied and has included leadership in a Secondary English Department of a large comprehensive school, lecturing and assessment for Further education and the creation of a Free School, recently recommended for Outstanding by OFSTED. For the past three years, Trudy has led on the English and Literacy Team across the Trust and the Network for Learning Beyond the Classroom with the Local Authority. Trudy is an innovative leader with a passion for equity in education and experience-led learning.

Lana Stoyles, Head of Business Transformation, Nexus MAT

Lana has over 10 years’ experience working in education specialising in business operations & commercial. Proud to work for Nexus Multi Academy Trust in South Yorkshire as Head of Business Transformation. She began her career in banking before moving into a role in education as finance officer in a primary school. Later transitioning into school business leadership before joining Nexus Multi Academy Trust’s central team in 2022. Lana has recently worked closely with the Department for Education and Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) developing commercial capability within the education sector.

Sarah Morgan, CEO, Great Learners Trust

Table Talk Chairs:

Martin Bailey, Senior Teacher, Ellington Primary School

Pip Bhol, Digital Learning Lead, Kings Cross Academy

Emma Darcy, Director of Technology for Learning, Denbigh High School

Emma is Director of Technology for Learning at Denbigh High School in Luton, recognised as a UNESCO Digital Strategy Best Practice Case Study. In 2021 Emma joined the BETT Advisory Board and won the Gold Pearson National Teaching Award for Digital Innovator of the Year. In 2023, Denbigh earned the Edufuturists Award for Secondary School of the Year and Emma received the Global EdTech Award for Most Impactful Senior Member of Staff. She is now a Trustee for Apps For Good, a Workstream Lead for the A.I. in Education initiative and a member of the Digital Futures Group.

Alison Day, Executive Director, LEO Academy

Alison Day is an Executive Director at LEO Academy Trust. She is passionate about school improvement and growing great teams of people. She has worked in education for over 35 years. Having served as a teacher, school leader and a headteacher, she is committed to making a difference in the lives of children. Alison currently works with schools new to the trust to help them improve their teaching and learning and raise standards. Alison is a strong believer in the power of education to change lives, and she works with schools outside the trust to provide leadership development and coaching.

Alexandra Lakhan, Head of MFL, Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls

Alexandra studied English Language, Literature and Civilisation at the University of La Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris, and completed her degree as an Erasmus student in London in 2000. She went on to qualify as an MFL teacher in 2002 from the Institute of Education, and has been a Head of Department since 2005. While still a NQT, she started her Master of Teaching and obtained a Post-graduate diploma three years later. She completed her NPQSL in 2023. She is a member of the Association of Language Learning (ALL).

Nicola Maher, Learning Skills Leader, Woodford Green Preparatory School

Nicola is Learning Skills Leader at Woodford Prep School which was rated as excellent in all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in 2023. She has worked both as a classroom teacher and as a senior leader in state and independent schools at primary and secondary level. She qualified as a SENDCO at the Institute of Education (UCL) and is a Youth Mental First Aid (England) trainer. She is Chair of Governors at Anglo European Secondary School, and has been selected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate to train as an inspector in 2024. She is motivated by the power of education to transform outcomes for all pupils but also to bring about a more equitable, caring and inclusive future for all.

Kajol Miah, Computing Lead, Rush Green Primary School 

Computer Science graduate with teaching experience in Primary and Secondary for over 10 years. Has written an engaging curriculum for Computing aimed at KS1 and 2 which benefits children as they embark on the next chapter of their education. Enthusiastic and passionate about people. Prior to teaching, worked in private banking and ran a chain of mobile franchise stores. 

Katy Potts, Primary ICT and Computing Service, Islington Council

Hilary Power, CEO, The Tennyson Learning Community

Jo Quince, Director of Education, Tennyson Learning Community

I am a Executive Multi-Academy Trust leader, working collaboratively with Subsidiary Academies and Partnership schools to implement the Trust School Improvement Strategy. I am experienced in accomplishing reform in the quality of education across varying settings, a firm believer in providing opportunities for children so that they experience a broad and rich curriculum and that 'every child can.'

Rachel Smyth, Head of English, Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls

I have been Head of English for 5 years, having previously been Key Stage 3 Co-ordinator and Literacy Co-ordinator. I qualified as an English teacher in 2007, having spent some time working in the Financial sector following completion of my degree. I studied English and American Literature and History at the University of Kent. My main motivation in moving into the field of education was to try to foster a love of learning and motivate students into achieving the best possible outcomes. I completed my NPQSL in 2022.  

Molly Vingoe, Science and STEM Lead, Drapers’ Maylands Primary School

Molly is a classroom teacher with almost a decade of experience working in primary, as well as a Science lead and member of the Senior Leadership team. Molly is passionate about creating inspiring and captivating learning experiences for children, supporting teachers to feel confident in their delivery of Science as a core subject and working to ensure that children leave Key Stage 2 feeling motivated to pursue their ambitions and passions. 

Toya Willmot, Challenge and Support Partner, Great Learners Trust

Toya Willmot is the Challenge and Support Partner at the Great Learners Trust. Toya is the Trust DSL and supports schools across all areas of the curriculum. Prior to the role, Toya has worked in education for over 18 years, was Deputy Head of an Outstanding school and has been a qualified SENDCO for over 12 years. She has a wealth of experience in school improvement and her passion is to ensure that every child has access to an incredible education.

Bukky Yusuf, Senior Leader, Edith Kay School

Interested in being a category sponsor for this year's BESA Awards?

If you're interested in sponsoring opportunities with this or any other BESA event, please contact eventsteam@besa.org.uk.

BESA will not be offering refunds for this event. It is possible to transfer your ticket to a colleague at any point from the time of booking to 7 working days before the event.

Please email eventsteam@besa.org.uk with any questions you may have. 

About BESA.