Conference 2025

Lead Well - Move Well - Live Well

Awards Dinner - Tuesday 25 March
Conference - Wednesday 26 March
Telford International Centre

Agenda

09.30 - 10.20 - Lead Well workshops (choose one)

  • Workshop - What is a Well School?

This session is the perfect introduction to Well Schools. Led by passionate educators and forward-thinking innovators at the centre of the Well Schools approach, the session will: 

  • Reflect on the journey and key milestones achieved so far. 
  • Explore the core framework and principles that underpin Well Schools. 
  • Share insights into the exciting next steps and future vision. 

This session is an ideal starting point for anyone curious about transforming education through wellbeing-focused practices. 

  • Workshop - Giving every young person a voice – the value of seeking diverse perspectives 

This interactive session will focus on the essential role of Youth Voice in addressing inequalities within both mainstream education and Alternative Provision settings. Key talking points include: 

  • Exploring children’s rights to express their views and be heard. 
  • Demonstrating how providing meaningful opportunities for young people to express their views can drive transformative change 
  • Showcasing practical examples of elevating diverse perspectives in action. 

Attendees will reflect and discuss strategies to amplify and integrate these voices into their own contexts. 

  • Workshop - The Power of a Well School Trust: Elevating school improvement and shaping your Multi-Academy Trust's purpose 

In this session, we will cover: 

  • What is a Well School Trust? A multi-academy trust (MAT) that prioritises health and wellbeing in strategic and improvement plans. 
  • Core Focus: Uses PE, sport, and play to drive positive change across schools. 
  • Purpose-Driven Framework: Aligns the MAT with a clear, compelling vision. 
  • Impact: Explores how this approach fosters significant school improvement and long-lasting outcomes. 

Join us to explore the transformative potential of the Well Trust framework. 

  • Workshop - Tackling the barriers to parent engagement within ethnically diverse communities 

When schools and parents collaborate, they have a positive impact on attainment and student wellbeing (Parent Kind 2024). In this session, discover how Cubitt Town Primary School in Tower Hamlets is building strong partnerships with its diverse parent community to promote children’s physical activity. We will explore: 

  • How the school addresses key barriers such as language, cultural differences, and time constraints. 
  • Strategies for fostering trust and building strong relationships with parents. 
  • Effective ways to engage families and increase participation in physical activity. 

Join us to learn practical strategies for overcoming these challenges and enhancing parent engagement in diverse communities. 

  • Panel - Representation and its role in education

Join a diverse panel of voices, from individuals to educators and policymakers, as they:

  • Explore the vital role of representation in education.
  • Highlight the value of distributed leadership in promoting equity and shared decision-making.
  • Explore the concept of "being comfortable with being uncomfortable" as a pathway to trust and understanding.
  • Share actionable strategies to drive meaningful and lasting change in schools and communities.
  • Discussion - Meet the Well Schools – Secondary 

Join us to explore how Beacon Well Schools are leading the way in integrating wellbeing into education. In this session, Crown Hills Community College in Leicester and Manchester Communications Academy will share: 

  • How they have implemented and developed the Well School Framework. 
  • The impact of their Lead Well pillar in action. 
  • Practical insights and lessons to help you adopt similar strategies. 

This is a valuable opportunity to learn directly from schools making a significant difference. 

10.30 - 11.45 - Morning Keynote

Sue Campbell DBE

Sue Campbell DBE started her career as a physical education teacher in Whalley Range in Manchester. It was there that, in her own words, Sue recognised the ‘power of sport to change lives’.   

She later became the founding Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust (1995), Chair of UK Sport (2005), and Director of Women’s Football at The FA (2018). Notably, she led the Lionesses to victory at the 2022 UEFA Women’s EURO and oversaw Team GB’s and Paralympics GB’s incredible performance at the London 2012 games. 

A recipient of numerous honours, including an OBE and a Lifetime Contribution to Education Award (2021), Sue champions the transformative value of sport.  

In her opening keynote address, Sue will: 

  • Share key lessons from her leadership journey. 
  • Highlight the importance of leading with courage, conviction, and compassion. 
  • Offer strategies to inspire colleagues and students to reach their full potential. 

Sue Campbell headshot

12.15 - 13.05 - Move Well workshops (choose one)

  • Workshop - The who, the what, the how to create an extra-curricular offer that is inspiring, accessible and meaningful

This session will help delegates to reflect on their extra-curricular sport offer and assess whether they are inclusive for all young people. Key highlights include: 

  • Gaining insights from practitioners on overcoming challenges and achieving success. 
  • Learning from real-world examples and key lessons to shape future practices. 

Leave equipped with practical guidance to create extra-curricular opportunities that inspire and include every young person. 

  • Workshop - Starting the journey: Inspiring lifelong joy in movement and physical activity in your school community  

Led by the Ted Wragg Trust, this session explores how a trust-wide approach can transform PE, school sport, and physical activity, fostering a lifelong love for movement among students. Key focus areas include: 

  • Developing a positive, long-term connection to physical activity for all pupils. 
  • Workforce development, community outreach, and partnership building. 
  • Insights, approaches, and lessons learned as the Trust works to shift historical cultures and create lasting positive movement experiences for every student. 

Join us to discover how to inspire joy in movement and promote physical wellbeing for students now and in the future. 

  • Panel - Leading the change: The transformative power of sport in KS4 and KS5 

Hear from the Youth Sport Trust Youth Board as they discuss the challenges of a reduced PE curriculum in KS4 and KS5 and its impact on their wellbeing. This session will: 

  • Feature Youth Board members discussing the importance of maintaining an engaging and balanced PE offer. 
  • Include insights from practitioners on designing a progressive and thriving KS4 and KS5 PE curriculum. 
  • Highlight a compelling school case study demonstrating successful implementation. 

Join us to explore practical solutions for ensuring sport remains a transformative and integral part of the curriculum in KS4 and KS5. 

  • Workshop - Dressed to move – does the uniform policy help or hinder movement?

What impact does the uniform policy we adopt have on our young people’s movement throughout the school day and engagement in PE and co-curriculum opportunities? This workshop will explore: 

  • The impact of uniform on student mobility and engagement.  
  • Examples of effective uniform policies across various settings.  
  • Practical solutions and tools to ensure young people are enabled to move well in school thereby supporting their learning. 
  • Panel - A playing child is a learning child: The need for active play in education

This panel discussion will explore the place of active play in education and the implications for learning and brain development. With a rise in children not able to engage physically and emotionally with the classroom, and the rise in children diagnosed with additional needs, this panel will uncover the potential of play and movement during the school day.

  • Discussion - Meet the Well Schools – Primary and Trusts 

Join us to explore how Beacon Well Schools and Trusts are leading the way in integrating wellbeing into education. In this session, Oasis Academy, Blakenhale, Birmingham and Tapscott Trust, Newham will share: 

  • How they have implemented and developed the Well School Framework. 
  • The impact of their Move Well pillar in action. 
  • Practical insights and lessons to help you adopt similar strategies. 

This is a valuable opportunity to learn directly from schools making a significant difference. 

Agenda

14.20 - 15.20 - Afternoon Keynote

Dr. James Hewitt

Dr. James Hewitt is a performance scientist, speaker and author, with over 15 years of experience in human high performance. James is an active researcher at Loughborough University (#1 globally in Sport, Exercise, and Health Science). He specialises in human high performance, without compromising health in the process.  

In this keynote on the Move Well pillar, James will blend cutting-edge science with practical strategies to show how physical activity enhances brain development, cognitive performance, and academic achievement. 

During the session, James will:  

  • Empower educators with evidence-based insights about physical activity's role in brain development and learning. 
  • Provide practical, cost-effective solutions that work within existing educational constraints. 
  • Foster a ‘movement culture’ that aligns with academic priorities. 
  • Provide actionable takeaways that can be implemented the next school day.

Dr James Hewitt

15.35 - 16.25 - Live Well workshops (choose one)

  • Workshop - Equipping for life: Cultivating essential skills through PE and sport 

Showcasing the unique role of PE and sport in building essential life skills. This session will explore: 

  • How PE, sport, and play can address the skills gap and prepare students for the future. 
  • Practical strategies to leverage these opportunities within schools. 
  • The role of PE in shaping confident, capable, and well-rounded citizens. 

Join us to learn how to cultivate the skills students need to thrive in life beyond school. 

  • Panel - Belonging through sport: Enhancing student engagement and attendance in schools 

Discover how sport can create a strong sense of belonging, enhancing students’ connection to school and improving attendance. This session will: 

  • Present five actionable strategies for using sport interventions to drive student engagement. 
  • Highlight key areas such as leadership, participation, and inclusion. 
  • Share real-world examples from successful programs, including Set for Success, My Personal Best, and Back in the Game. 
  • Explore the transformative impact of Athlete Mentors in inspiring and motivating students. 

Learn how to create inclusive environments where every student feels valued, connected, and eager to attend school regularly. 

  • Workshop - Building cultural capital in our communities through the power of volunteering and social action  

This session will explore how schools use sport to engage students in civic activities, promoting community cohesion, responsible citizenship, and leadership development. 

Key points include: 

  • Using sport to inspire student involvement in civic action. 
  • Promoting community cohesion through volunteering and social initiatives. 
  • Developing leadership and citizenship skills in young people. 
  • Workshop - Using movement to tackle trauma and toxic stress

Trauma and toxic stress can significantly hinder children’s ability to attend school or engage positively in learning. This workshop will: 

  • Explain the science behind why movement is a powerful tool in addressing trauma and stress. 
  • Explore practical principles for integrating movement into support strategies. 
  • Share real-life stories through the experiences of children in the care system. 

Join us to understand how movement can transform wellbeing and learning outcomes for vulnerable children. 

  • Discussion - Meet the Well Schools – Special

Join us to explore how Beacon Well Schools are leading the way in integrating wellbeing into education. In this session, Clare Mount Specialist Sports College, Wirral will share: 

  • How they have implemented and developed the Well School Framework. 
  • The impact of their Live Well pillar in action. 
  • Practical insights and lessons to help you adopt similar strategies. 

This is a valuable opportunity to learn directly from schools making a significant difference. 

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