Programme highlights

Evidence-based practice: Harnessing research to drive children's progress

Dr Julian Grenier CBE

Dr Julian Grenier CBE

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.

From insights to impact: Using data intelligently to secure success for every child

Andrew Truby

Andrew Truby

CEO, St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust

Andrew is the first substantive Chief Executive Officer of St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust. In his previous role, Andrew was the executive headteacher of two Ofsted-rated outstanding academies in Sheffield and a third school, which was in special measures when he took it on, that is now judged to be good in all areas. Andrew founded Learning Unlimited Teaching School Alliance, a teaching school with one of the strongest track records in South Yorkshire, was the strategic lead for St Wilfrid’s English Hub and a member of the English Hubs Council. Andrew is a National Leader of Education and has been personally responsible for a number of highly successful, large-scale school improvement projects

Amy Fidler

Amy Fidler

Director of School Improvement - Primary, St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust

Amy is the Director of Primary Education within St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust. She joined the St Joseph CMAT following headship within REAch2 Academy Trust, the largest primary only trust in the country. She has an unrelenting focus on ensuring that all children receive the best possible education, and has a strong track record of successful school improvement within areas of high deprivation. Amy brings extensive experience of working with the most vulnerable children and has demonstrated the ability to improve children’s lives through education. With a driving force for collaboration and developing expertise, Amy has supported many schools and individuals to demonstrate excellence and thrive in their settings. Amy’s support ensures that school communities are empowered to achieve the very best educational success for all.

Keynote: Neuroscience, early childhood education and care, and long-term development

Edward Melhuish

Edward Melhuish

Professor of Human Development, University of Oxford and Birkbeck, University of London

Edward Melhuish is Professor of Human Development at the University of Oxford, and Birkbeck, University of London. 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.

Keynote: Exploring effective pathways in early intervention: What does excellence look like?

Rachel Vlachonikolis

Rachel Vlachonikolis

Headteacher, New Marston Primary School, River Learning Trust

Rachel is Headteacher at New Marston Primary School, an RLT primary school for children aged 2-11 with a hearing resource base and SLCN enhanced provision. She is also a teacher development trust facilitator. Prior to her role as headteacher, Rachel was a special education needs coordinator. Rachel is passionate about making sure school is a positive experience for everyone in the community: all pupils, including pupils with SEND, families and staff.

Keynote

Keynote address from Lee Owston, National Director, Education, Ofsted

Lee Owston

Lee Owston

National Director, Education, Ofsted

Lee Owston was appointed National Director, Education in January 2024. Since joining Ofsted as one of His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) in 2013, Lee has held various deputy director roles across early years, schools, teacher development and special educational needs and/or disabilities. He has also been a senior HMI in Ofsted’s North East, Yorkshire and Humber region and held specialist adviser roles linked to registered early years provision, inspector training and His Majesty’s Chief Inspector’s accountability unit. Before joining Ofsted, Lee held senior leadership positions in schools, was senior adviser for early education and primary schools in a local authority and was regional director for the national strategies, where he contributed to national publications on English, phonics and assessment.