Annual Conference Breakout Sessions

There are 8 breakouts in total, with Harrison Clark Rickerbys session repeating in breakout session 2. You may choose two breakouts to attend. Breakout session 1 will be between 12:20 - 13:05, and breakout session 2 will be between 14:50 - 15:35.

🔴 Find out more about our guest speakers here

Breakout session 1 options (12:20 - 13:05)

Harrison Clark Rickerbys | Futureproofing your staffing strategy in the light of economic challenges and the possibility of political change (session repeated for breakout 2)

Speakers: Oliver Daniels, Partner, Education & Charities, HCR; and Rachel Parkin, Partner, Education & Charities, HCR

Content: The focus of this session will primarily be on restructuring / redundancy processes, with a TPS update.

Saxton Bampfylde | Preparing your Board for the future

Speakers: Emma Hattersley, Co-Head, the Schools Practice and a Governor at four schools; Augusta Bunting, Consultant, Board Practice; and Pamela Leonce, Advisor on diversity and governance, Saxton Bampfylde, and CEO of Stowhill Consultancy

Content:

Introductions from the panel 
Our perspectives on issues in governance from our schools practice and cross-sector Board Practice.

Panel discussion topic 1: How do we prepare our boards for the future?

  • What skills are going to be most critical to have on our boards?
  • What are we seeing in other sectors?
  • Insights from the Board thought piece - the skills matrix for the future
  • How do we achieve diversity of thought?
  • Open questions to invite comment on these topics (5 minutes)

Discussion topic 2: How do we build a pipeline of talent to join the boards of schools?

  • What have we learnt from other sectors around improving diversity and inclusion on boards?
  • Sharing tangible ideas for developing the pipeline and case studies from diversity & inclusion consultancy.
  • The changing perception of board roles in the education sector – how do we combat this?
  • Open questions to invite comment on these topics (5 minutes)
  • Closing remarks (5 minutes): What actions can we now take away for our Boards?

Anthony Millard Consulting | "Finders, Keepers!” - Which matters more?

Speaker: Anthony Millard, Founder and Chair, Anthony Millard Consulting

Content: How do Boards find, appoint and crucially keep, the best Head to lead their school?

  • Leading from the front
  • Finding the best 
  • Next Gen recruitment 
  • Keeping the best

This session will focus on effective recruitment of school leaders, and the key aspects for Boards to consider when it comes to appointing a new Head. 

The Schools' Enterprise Association (SEA) | What the governing body should look for in a school’s commercial or enterprise strategy

Speaker: Dorothy McLaren, Chief Executive Officer, SEA and Founding Director, School Trunk

Content: Do you recognise the true potential of your school’s assets? Is your school making the best return on all their assets? Is ‘Non-fee revenue generation’ a regular agenda item on your governing board agenda?  This session will explore your opportunities, challenges and mitigation strategies when it comes to optimising return on all your school’s assets.

Breakout session 2 options (14:50 - 15:35)

Harrison Clark Rickerbys | Futureproofing your staffing strategy in the light of economic challenges and the possibility of political change

Speakers: Oliver Daniels, Partner, Education & Charities, HCR; and Rachel Parkin, Partner, Education & Charities, HCR

Content: The focus of this session will primarily be on restructuring / redundancy processes, with a TPS update.

MEB Design Ltd | Matching strategic planning to sustainability in a heritage-rich built environment 

Speakers: Mark Eddison, Consultant, MEB Design Ltd; Charles Darby, Director, MED Design Ltd; and Chris Swinburn, Founder & Director, Beyond Carbon Associates

Content:

Topics:

  • What is a Strategic Plan and why is one necessary?
  • Why is Sustainability so important?
  • How to make the most of Historic Buildings?
  • How to market Sustainability and Heritage?
  • Some real life Examples and Practical Solutions

Learning Outcomes:

  • The importance of good strategic planning
  • How to set up the process of a strategic plan
  • The importance of a “sustainable” approach
  • How best to deal with significant heritage assets “sustainably”
  • How to start and manage the journey to “net zero carbon”
  • How to create a framework for making wise strategic choices
  • How to achieve modern goals within historic constraints

Stone King | Governance of Risk and how Governors can evidence their breadth of understanding of risk management

Speakers: Helen Tucker, Parter, Head of Independent Schools, Stone King; and Stephen Ravenscroft, Partner, Head of Charity Sector, Stone King

Content: How can Governors evidence that there is an effective risk management culture in their schools? How integral is risk in your committee structures and is strategic risk an agenda item at your full board meetings?

David Woodgate/ Mark Taylor/ Barney Northover | Role of Governance in financial efficiency and business efficiency

Speakers: David Woodgate, CEO, ISBA; Mark Taylor, Chairman, AGBIS; and Barney Northover, Partner, VWV

Content: Current sector issues are resulting in schools looking to diversify their income streams and look at their expenditure to ensure value for money. How can Governors ensure they have robust Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to hold their senior leaders to account?