Our Senior Leader Briefings
Our Senior Leader Briefings take place throughout the year and are designed to help school and setting leaders stay up to date with national developments affecting Early Years and Key Stage 1.
As this academic year draws to a close, join us for our Summer 2026 Senior Leader Briefing to hear the latest national updates and practical guidance on supporting your youngest children and those working with them.
Upcoming Briefing:
Tuesday 9th June 2026 | 1pm – 3pm
Informed Leadership: Navigating Guidance, Strengthening Practice
Price
£85.00 (exc. VAT) per person
Can’t attend live?
No problem! You can order a recording of the briefing.
Informed Leadership: Navigating Guidance, Strengthening Practice
The spotlight from the DfE and Ofsted on the Reception Year continues to shine brightly. We will be exploring the latest DfE guidance, expectations on school leadership and reviewing the range of supporting materials and services available to schools.
Recently we have seen the publication of guidance from DfE on the use of digital technology in the Early Years. During this briefing we will be considering the implications this has on leadership, classroom practice and working with parents.
We will also be reflecting on assessment and transition; unpicking the latest guidance on the EYFS profile and its use to support transition to Year One; plus taking a closer look at the Kindred Squared Report on Transition into Reception and the impact on teaching and learning.
As always, we will also be providing you with examples of the latest research and guidance to strengthen leadership and practice in the Early Years and Key Stage One. We will unpack the details and provide clear strategic guidance for you to ensure that you and your team are fully informed.
Hosted by our Senior Curriculum Experts
Hosted by Phil Armstrong (Senior Education Lead) and Sarah Carey (School Improvement Lead), with guest speakers from Ofsted, the DfE, and other sector experts.
Phil Armstrong – Senior Education Lead
Phil has 20+ years’ experience across early years and primary education, including teaching, leadership, and headship roles. He supports schools and settings with strategic leadership, school improvement, and national policy implementation.
Sarah Carey – School Improvement Lead
Sarah brings over 20 years’ school improvement experience, including EYFS Leader, Deputy Head, and Headteacher roles. She helps senior leaders drive improvement priorities in EYFS and KS1 through strategic planning, teaching development, and sustained school improvement.
Why Attend
- Stay up to date with national policy and inspection developments
- Gain clarity on expectations for Early Years and KS1
- Access strategic insight to support leadership decision-making
- Connect with wider sector thinking and professional dialogue
Who should attend?
- Senior Leaders in schools and settings
- MAT or Trust leaders
- Local Authority advisers and coordinators
- Anyone supporting strategic leadership or operational planning in Early Years and KS1
This Senior Leader Briefing explored the latest national priorities in Early Years and KS1, including insights from the newly published Every Child Achieving and Thriving – Schools White Paper and the SEND Reform Consultation. Participants gained clarity on the direction of national reform, funding changes, integrated early years and family services, and evolving school structures.
With a continued focus on the Reception year, the session examined DfE guidance, Kindred Squared’s Reception Readiness publication, and the implications of recent policy changes for strategic school improvement.
We heard from Kirsty Godfrey, Deputy Director for Schools and Early Education Policy, as she outlined new Ofsted expectations for knowledgeable leadership in Early Years and key elements of the updated inspection framework.
The briefing also explored effective use of Pupil Premium and EYPP, drawing on current guidance, research, and case studies to support narrowing the disadvantage gap.
Previous Briefing:
Tuesday 10th March 2026