ASCL Leadership Essentials 2026 - Birmingham

(previously known as the Autumn Leadership Conferences)

"A concise overview of key policy changes and current developments, delivered by knowledgeable speakers."
Delegate, Birmingham 2025

Totally current information which was intuitive and really well presented by the ASCL specialists."
Delegate, London 2025

A significant period of reform demands clarity. Our Autumn Leadership Conferences are returning this November, now known as Leadership Essentials, reimagined in response to your feedback and better than ever. You’ve told us what works: the expert intelligence, the horizon scanning, the reassurance that ASCL has the full picture. 

This year, we’re bringing the series to four larger venues in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and London. ASCL specialists will deliver in their own areas of expertise with genuine space for discussion and reflection, and deep-dive workshops built into the day. Our specialist team cuts through the noise, bringing you carefully curated intelligence with the context and analysis to help you decide what to act on now and what can wait.

Building on the roadmap 
At the ASCL Summer Leadership Summit on 6 May, Julia Harnden and Tom Middlehurst, ASCL Deputy Directors of Policy, provided delegates with a strategic picture with every major reform through to 2030 mapped out: the legislation, the timelines, and the implications for your students and your organisation. 

By November, the landscape will have moved. Guidance will have landed, implementation will have begun. The  Leadership Essentials series is where you check your position with current intelligence from our specialist team, deep-dive workshops in the areas that matter most to you now, and the space to think through what these changes mean in practice.

*Early bird offer|12 May - 10 September*
Members: £285 £230 + VAT
Non members: £315 £255 + VAT

The conference fee for this event has been frozen at 2024 rates and we would encourage you to bring colleague(s) to increase the benefits for your organisation.

Early Bird rate from 12 May to 10 September
Member: £230 + VAT
Non member: ​£255 + VAT

Standard rates from 11 September
Member: £285 member + VAT
Non member: £315 + VAT

Discounted rates

  • Groups - one full price delegate can bring additional colleagues for £150 per person 
  • ASCL Council Members benefit from a 25% discount off standard costs £210 instead of £255 and can attend a private meeting with the General Secretary on the morning of the event.
  • ASCL Local Representatives benefit from free attendance at this event and can attend a private meeting with the General Secretary on the morning of the event.

8.30         Arrival and exhibition
 
9.30         Welcome
ASCL Presidential Trio
 
9.40         General Secretary Address: State of the Nation
 
10.10         Curriculum, assessment, SEND and behaviour update
 
10.50         AP update
 
11.00         Break and exhibition
 
11.20         Workforce, pay and conditions update
 
12.00         Funding and operations update 
 
12.40         Sponsor
 
12.50         Lunch and exhibition
 
13.50         The new Ofsted framework
 
14.30         Accountability, RISE and data update
 
15.10         Q&A and final remarks 
 
15.30         Close
 

Timings and content are subject to change

Leadership Essentials is for school and college leaders who need to stay ahead. If you lead at any level, in any phase, and you want to understand not just what’s changing but what it means for your organisation and how to act on these changes, this is the day for you.