Featuring a range of speakers who are experts in communication and oracy, leadership and personal development, this conference will provide you with tips and strategies to enhance your communication skills in the workplace, at home and in life.
Clear and purposeful communication is the foundation of effective teaching and leadership. Whether it’s engaging pupils through storytelling, making complex ideas and concepts accessible, liaising with parents, or inspiring a team with a compelling vision, strong communication skills shape how ideas are received and acted upon.
For parents, there will no doubt be times when you will come away from a conversation with your child feeling that it could have gone better. And as children reach adolescence and gain greater independence, they can often be less open to conversation about themselves.
So please join us and connect with likeminded people as together we help our children go out into the world as capable, independent, interested and interesting individuals.
Early bird tickets now available!
Speakers
Ros Atkins - BBC News Analyst Editor
Ros has been labelled the nation's 'Explainer-in-Chief'. The 'Ros Atkins on...' videoseries features across BBC News and Ros is also the co-presenter of The Media Show on BBC Radio 4.
Ros' first book The Art of Explanation came out in 2023 and received widespread praise. It's a guide for anyone looking to improve how they communicate. Ros' new BBC Radio 4 podcast, 'Communicating...', was released in May 2024.
Caroline Nokes MP - House of Commons Deputy Speaker
Caroline was first elected to represent Romsey & Southampton North as an MP in 2010 and has been re-elected at every election since. Between 2020 and 2024, Caroline was Chair of the Women & Equalities Select Committee, she has served in three different Government departments and attended Cabinet as Minister of State for Immigration between 2018 and 2019.
In July 2024, Caroline was elected by the whole House to serve as one of three Deputy Speakers.
Mike Buchanan - Founder of Positively Leading 
Mike is a coach, mentor and strategy consultant focused on improving individual performance. He's also Executive Head at Apex 2100, the world's leading alpine ski academy, and was Executive Director of HMC, the English-speaking world's oldest association of head teachers.
Mike's interests and experiences are in organisational culture, coaching for improved performance, character development and the use of positive psychology to promote wellbeing in education.
Geoff Barton - Chair, Commission on Oracy in Education
Former General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ACSL), Geoff's current focus is on driving the agenda to raise the profile of speaking and listening in education. The Oracy Commission's recommendations are now being considered as part of the Government's curriculum review.
Geoff spent 32 years as an English teacher and then headteacher before joining the ASCL. He has written a number of books, is a regular commentator in the media and writes for a range of publications. Geoff was awarded the CBE in the 2025 New Year’s Honours List for services to education.
Dr Fiona Aubrey-Smith - Founder of PedTech & Director of One Life Learning
Named in 2024 as one of the Top 5 Visionary Women in Education, Fiona is an award-winning teacher, leader and academic. She is an associate lecturer, PhD supervisor and consultant researcher at a number of universities, and sits on the board of a number of multi academy and charitable trusts.
Co-author of the best selling book From EdTech to PedTech: Changing the way we think about digital technology, Fiona is a regular contributor to events and publications about education, pedagogy and education technology. In 2023, Fiona was made a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Educators and in 2024 she was granted Freedom of the City of London.
Osi Ejiofor - Educational Technologist
Consultant and founder of 'Osi's Tech Tips', OSI works with schools, colleges and universities across the world to provide expert guidance and training to teachers, parents, governers and children on the effective use of technology in education.
In his current role, he's working with schools across the United Learning group to transform their use of technology as an enabler for learning.