Leadership Essentials: Leeds

(previously known as the Autumn Leadership Conferences)

Marriott Hotel, Leeds

"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.

Alternative dates and locations
17 November | Birmingham
18 November | Manchester
25 November | London

Speaker

Pepe Di'Iasio

ASCL General Secretary

Tom Middlehurst

ASCL Deputy Director of Policy

Claire Green

ASCL Post-16 and Skills Specialist

Andy Jordan

ASCL Inspection and Accountability Specialist

Tiffnie Harris

ASCL Data, Disadvantage and Primary Specialist

Margaret Mulholland

ASCL SEND and Inclusion Specialist

Julia Harnden

ASCL Deputy Director of Policy

Kathryn Morgan

ASCL Leadership and Workforce Specialist

Louise Hatswell

ASCL Conditions of Employment Specialist: Pay

Emma Harrison

ASCL Business Leadership Specialist

Melanie Moffatt

ASCL Conditions of Employment Specialist: Pensions

Fees

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.

Standard rates
Member: £285 member
Non member: £315

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.

Programme

8.30am					Arrival and exhibition
9.30am					Welcome Sean Breslin, ASCL Partnerships Manager
9.35am					Education, Actually The big issues in education: challenges and opportunities Pepe Di'Iasio, ASCL General Secretary
9.50am					Essential Insights: Leading the landscape The shifts, pressures and policy moves reshaping education, and what it means for you as a leader. Tom Middlehurst, ASCL Deputy Director of Policy (curriculum and assessment) Julia Harnden, ASCL Deputy Director of Policy (funding) Claire Green, ASCL Post-16 and Skills Specialist Andy Jordan, ASCL Accountability and Inspection Specialist Margaret Mulholland, ASCL SEND and Inclusion Specialist Tiffnie Harris, ASCL Data and Disadvantage Specialist
10.50am					Working with ASCL partners Essential updates from our sponsors and exhibition partners
11.00am					Break and exhibition
11.25am					Essentials in depth: Breakout choices A Qualification reform with AQA SEND reforms into action Developing a PPG strategy
12.00pm					Essentials in depth: Breakout choice B Supporting schools with inclusion and SEND through accredited online provision with Academy 21 Ofsted and accountability Post-16 essentials
12.30pm					Lunch and exhibition
1.30pm					Essential Insights: Leading the organisation ASCL specialists across workforce, pay, pensions, legal and member support share the practical guidance and backing to help you lead with confidence. Kathryn Morgan, ASCL Leadership and Workforce Specialist Louise Hatswell, ASCL Conditions of Employment Specialist: Pay Emma Harrison, ASCL Business Leadership Specialist Melanie Moffatt, ASCL Conditions of Employment Specialist: Pensions Faisal Sameja, ASCL Senior Solicitor Members of the ASCL member support team
2.45pm					Essentials in depth: Breakout choice C Income generation and maximising value for pupils with Vivify Flexible Working: Turning policy into strategy Workforce
3.20pm					Essentials in depth: Breakout choice D Next steps for the Curriculum and Assessment Review Funding implications for 26/27 Business leadership
3.50pm					Essential next steps
4.00pm					Close and networking drinks

Timings and content are subject to change

Suitable for

Leadership Essentials is for school, college and trust 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.

What to expect on the day

Education, Actually: the big picture - a welcome and state-of-the-nation from ASCL General Secretary Pepe Di’Iasio, setting the context for the day ahead.
Horizon scanning: the essential insights - focused updates from ASCL policy and member support specialists on the issues shaping school and college leadership right now.
Essentials in depth: breakout sessions where you can explore the topics that matter most to you in more detail, asking questions, and thinking through what they mean for your own context. With more than one session running, you choose where to spend your time.
Space to connect: time built in throughout the day to meet other leaders, compare notes, and make the kind of connections that often turn out to be the most valuable part of the day.
A chance to meet our sponsors and exhibitors: an opportunity to explore products and services relevant to school and college leadership.
Essential next steps: we'll bring the day together with a collective sensemaking session, helping you leave with clarity on what matters most from everything you've heard.