ASCL Sustainability Conference 2025

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

"Lots of relevant information and suggestions which can easily be implemented in school." (Delegate feedback, 2024)

Following the success of our inaugural conference in 2024, we are delighted to now offer the ASCL Sustainability Conference 2025, providing you with the support and tools you need to build a sustainable culture in your school, college or trust, and wider communities.

The programme will feature practical advice and support from a range of inspirational speakers and workshops to support you on your sustainability journey. The content will also be linked to meeting the aims within the DfE's Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy.

There will also be workshops throughout the day linked to these three strands:

operations
education and curriculum
DfE support programmes

The ASCL Sustainability Conference 2025 coincides with World Environment Day; a reminder that it is time for us all to act and be a good ancestor for future generations.

Speaker

Emma Harrison

Business Leadership Specialist

Paul Edmond

Chief Finance and Sustainability Officer, HEART Academies Trust

Andrew Charlton-Perez

Head of School of Mathematical, Computational and Physical Sciences and Professor of Meteorology, University of Reading

Robert Gould FRICS

Partner, Barker

Sam Hartley

Senior Programme and Partnerships Manager, National Education Nature Park

Alex Green

Head of Schools for Ashden and Head of Let’s Go Zero

Gemma Tunstall

Finance and Business Manager (CFO), Wellington School

Tarina Chow

Executive Business Manager, Stanton Vale School

Charlotte Brown

Management Accountant, Esteem Multi Academy Trust

Jodie Bailey-Ho

Department for Education's Youth Focal Point

Jenn Plews OBE

Trust Leader (CEO), Northern Star Academies Trust

Russell Abbey

Head of Catering, Heart Academies

Polly Higginson

School Plates Programme Coordinator Scotland and Northern Ireland, ProVeg

Jess Amaral

Project Manager, SOS-UK

Jenny Wilson

Final year student, University of Manchester

Wendy Litherland

Director of Sustainability and Associate Assistant Headteacher, St Christopher's CE High School and Sixth Form

Fee

Standard rate: £245+VAT (ASCL members) or £265+VAT (non-members)
10% discount for groups of two or more

Programme

ASCL PD reserves the right to change the programme as circumstances dictate.

8.30am			Registration, networking, exhibition and refreshments

9.30am			Welcome and scene setting Emma Harrison, ASCL Business Leadership Specialist

9.40am			Keynote Jodie Bailey-Ho, DfE Youth Focal Point and Founder of Teach the Teacher

10.00am			Climate justice workshop Jenny White, final year student, University of Manchester Jess Aramal, SOS-UK Manager An interactive workshop that introduces the complexities of climate justice in an accessible way for KS2+ and adult learners. The workshop will explore the social and ethical dimensions of the climate crisis and how different communities are impacted disproportionately. By the end of the workshop, learners will have a deeper understanding of climate justice and the actions we can take to address it. This is a very interactive workshop with lots of learner participation, discussion and group work required and benefits most from a classroom set up. The second section of the workshop is a scenario-based learning activity to put the knowledge and holistic critical thinking skills learned from the first half in action. The workshop will be delivered by two SOS-UK student staff members.

10.30am			Headline sponsor: Barker Rob Gould FRICS, Partner, Barker

10.35am			Refreshment break and exhibition

11.00am			Workshop session 1 - delegates can attend one session Education and curriculum: SOS-UK Teach the Teacher delivered by students Operations and decarbonisation: Energy freedom with Solar PV - how we did it Rob Gould, Partner, Barker Gemma Tunstall, Wellington School and Co-Chair of UKSSN Ops Group This session will explore the transformative potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology in schools, focusing on achieving energy independence and sustainability. Gemma will share a practical case study from Wellington School, highlighting her approach, challenges faced, and lessons learned. Rob will provide an in-depth look at the importance of solar PV for schools, covering the critical aspects of design and procurement. The session will conclude with a Q&A segment, offering delegates the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers. DfE support programmes: Climate Ambassadors and Let's Go Zero
11.45am			Movement time

11.50am			Keynote To be confirmed

12.45pm			Lunch and exhibition

1.30pm			DfE Sustainability and climate change strategy update Speaker tbc

1.45pm			Panel Chair: Paul Edmond, Chief Finance and Sustainability Officer, HEART Academies Trust Jodie Bailey-Ho, DfE's Youth Focal Point Ann Finlayson, Wendy Litherland, Director of Sustainability and Associate Assistant Headteacher, St Christopher's CE High School and Sixth Form

2.15pm			Keynote: case studies One-year in: Tarina Chow, Executive Business Manager, Esteem Multi-academy Trust, Charlotte Brown, Management Accountant, Esteem Multi-academy Trust Five-years in: Jenn Plews, CEO, Northern Star Academy Trust -

2.45pm			Refreshments and exhibition

3.00pm			Workshop session 2 - delegates can attend one session Education and curriculum Operations and decarbonisation: sustainable catering including waste management delivered by Russell Abbey, HEART Academies, Polly Higginson of ProVeg, and Cozzi Baring, Olio DfE support programmes delivered by Sam Hartley, National Education Nature Park for RHS and sustainability Support in Education

3.45pm			Close

Who can attend?

Suitable for business leaders (including director of estates and sustainability leaders), CEOs, headteachers, senior leaders, trustees and governors.

Day

05 June 2025
time

08:30 - 16:00
location

Manchester
Day

See 'Fee' tab