1 May 2025 at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre
This year’s summit will explore creative strategies for achieving excellence in early years education to deliver life-long benefits for young learners. Education leaders, policy makers and child development experts will discuss the meaning of ‘reception readiness’ and what effective early intervention looks like. We will also address the challenges related to assessment practices and transition data, considering the latest research findings on key factors driving children’s progress, and sharing practical examples of good practice. By joining this summit, you will have the opportunity to:
Hear from some of today's leading educational thinkers
Give you and your leadership team time to re-think how your trust works
Connect with colleagues from school trusts across the country
Engage with innovative providers to the school trust sector
This conference is an extension of the CST Early years professional community - a unique space for school trust staff to network, share, and learn, all year round. Community membership is an integral part of CST membership.
Senior Content and Engagement Manager for Early Years, Education Endowment Foundation
Senior Content and Engagement Manager for Early Years, Education Endowment Foundation
Julian joined the EEF in 2024. Before joining the EEF, Julian was the headteacher of Sheringham Nursery School and Children’s Centre in Newham, East London. During this time, he also led East London Research School. Julian has also been Ofsted's early education lead, and senior early years adviser in Tower Hamlets. He is a trustee of the charity Thrive at Five. He has written several best-selling books about early education and care.
Professor, University of Oxford
Professor, University of Oxford
Edward Melhuish is Professor of Human Development at the University of Oxford.
He has undertaken research in 12 countries, and is currently undertaking large-scale longitudinal studies in Norway, the UK, and Australia involving family, community and pre-school influences on child development, and policy implications. He is also taking part in an EU-project (ISOTIS) on inequality in childhood involving 11 countries.
His studies contributed to social policy in the UK in the area of families, young children, early education and social disadvantage, including the 1989 Children Act, the 2005 Children Act, 2006 Childcare Bill. He has served as an expert witness to several House of Commons Select Committees, and is a member of a child well-being working group of WHO, and the Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group Early Childhood Interventions Group. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and in 2016 was awarded an OBE for services to social sciences.
Over many years, he has acted as an advisor and consultant on a pro-bono basis to many charities and voluntary organisations involved with child well-being, including NSPCC, Save the Children and Action for Children. He has been a trustee of the WAVE trust and the Foundation Years Trust.
Senior HMI, Schools and Early Education, Ofsted
Senior HMI, Schools and Early Education, Ofsted
Kirsty Godfrey is one of His Majesty's Inspectors. She is a qualified teacher and has worked in senior leadership positions, including headship, in a range of schools for over twenty years. She has also worked as an educational consultant. Her last post before joining Ofsted was as the head of primary in an all-through school. This post involved setting up the primary provision from scratch and further developed her interest and expertise in early years. Kirsty’s current position is Senior His Majesty’s Inspector for Schools and Early Education. This role includes overseeing the development, quality and delivery of training for inspectors. It builds on her previous policy and curriculum roles as specialist advisor and subject lead for early reading.
For details about commercial tickets, please contact conference@cstuk.org.uk.
CST members only: Full conference access including keynotes, workshops, lunch, and resources
Book your place£330 inc VAT at 20%
Non-CST member place for conference including keynotes, workshops, and lunch
Book now£408 inc VAT at 20%
Our conference takes place at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre, a short walk from Birmingham New Street train station.
We recommend using public transport wherever possible to attend. The venue is within Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone and there may be additional fees for driving to the venue.
Birmingham Conference and Events Centre
Hill Street
Birmingham
B5 4EW
The conference takes place on 1 May 2025.
The full programme will published nearer to the event date, but delegate registration will begin at 08:30 with main programme running approximately 09:15 to 16:15.
Delegate places include full access to conference main sessions, workshops, and exhibition, plus refreshments, and lunch during the day.
Overnight accommodation is not included and delegates are responsible for their own travel arrangements.
The event programme is provisional and subject to change. Booking terms and conditions apply.
Imagery is from past events and may not reflect the 2025 programme.
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