Conference Programme - HMC (The Heads' Conference)

HMC Spring Conference 2025

8 May 2025

BMA House, London

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Spring Conference Programme - Wednesday 1 May 2025

Time	Event
09.30 - 10.30	Arrival and registration Coffee and refreshments available among the exhibitors
10.30 - 10.40	Welcome and opening remarks Speaker: Sue Woodroofe, HMC Chair and Principal, The Grammar School at Leeds Location: The Great Hall
10.40 - 11.20	Keynote 1: Moving beyond the AI hype: AI stewardship for schools and pupils Speaker: Tania Duarte, Founder, We and AI Chair: Lisa Kerr, Principal, Gordonstoun Location: The Great Hall
11.20 - 11.50	Keynote 2: Getting Ahead of AI: Horizon scan, where we are and where we are going. Opportunities and implications for schools Speaker: Priya Lakhani OBE, Founder CEO, CENTURY Tech Chair: Pete Goodyer, Headmaster, Bede’s School Location: The Great Hall
11.50- 12.25	Coffee and refreshments among the exhibitors Location: The Lutyens Suite
12.30 - 13.10	Keynote 3: In Conversation with Rashik Parmar: What have you always wanted to know about AI but were too afraid to ask Speaker: Rashik Parmar MBE, Group CEO of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT Chair: Ceri Jones, Headmaster, Caterham School Location: The Great Hall
13.10 - 13.15	HMC Autumn Conference 2024 Launch Speaker: Jaideep Barot, HMC Chair Elect and Headmaster, Bristol Grammar School Location: The Great Hall
13.15 - 14.10	Lunch and networking Location: The Lutyens Suite
14.10 - 14.40	Workshops and networking time Delegates may choose from one of three options: 1. Update session on Inspection and Framework ’23 Speakers: Jason Slack, Head, The King’s School in Macclesfield and Chair, HMC Inspection Committee Millan Sachania, Head Master, Immanuel College and serving Reporting Inspector Chris Townsend, Head, Felsted School Sue Woodroofe, HMC Chair and Principal, The Grammar School at Leeds Location: The Great Hall 2. Heads’ Wellbeing: Looking after yourself whilst leading healthy teams in the new era of Headship This workshop will cover recent changes to the landscape of Headship and provide practical ways for Heads to look after their own wellbeing whilst developing healthy and effective teams within their schools. Participants will be asked to do their own wellbeing survey which forms part of a practical toolkit that has been successfully implemented in a number of schools to improve staff wellbeing and effectiveness. Speakers: Chris Whiteley, Managing Director, The 21st Century Leadership Company George Hartley, Headmaster, The King’s School, Chester Location: Council Chamber 3. Time for extended discussions with exhibitors and peer-to-peer networking Location: The Lutyens Suite
14.40 - 14.45	Return to the Great Hall for Nick Robinson’s keynote speech
14.45 - 15.30	Keynote 4: Lessons learnt from a lifetime of talking to politicians Speaker: Nick Robinson, BBC journalist and presenter, former BBC Political Editor Chair: Sue Woodroofe, HMC Chair and Principal, The Grammar School at Leeds Location: The Great Hall
15.30 - 15.35	Closing remarks Speaker: Sue Woodroofe, HMC Chair and Principal, The Grammar School at Leeds Location: The Great Hall
15.40 onwards	Tea and refreshments Location: The Lutyens Suite

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