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Nadine Bernard

CEO and Founder, Aspiring Heads
Nadine Bernard was just 18 years old when she attended a leadership event that would not only reinforce her aspirations of working in education but inspire her to pursue headship. At the time of fulfilling her goal, Nadine was considered the youngest black headteacher in England. Today, not only is Nadine leading a thriving school community in London, she is also the CEO of a Social Enterprise and a professional executive coach, helping clients to find reward in their work and improve their performance. Along her career path, Nadine has come to learn that personal development has no expiry date and believes in developing the whole person from mindset to physical wellbeing, during her 1:1 coaching, both of which impact personal growth, living and leading well. Nadine's purpose is to catalyse lasting change in the UK education system, by equipping learners with the support network and tools to achieve higher positions within education.
10:20

1 Main programme

Keynote: In conversation with Nadine Bernard

Analysis from NFER lays bare a stark and systemic challenge: the teaching workforce in England is struggling to reflect the diversity of the communities it serves. Across nearly every minority ethnic group, representation declines sharply from initial teacher training through to senior leadership, with the most significant underrepresentation at headship level. For trusts, the implications go beyond fairness, as a lack of diversity shapes culture, limits perspective, and risks weakening connection with pupils and communities. Nadine will explore not just why the gap persists, but what it will take to shift it.