A Conference to Celebrate and Strengthen Early Years Leadership
Explore the vital role of leadership in early childhood education at this conference featuring inspiring leaders from across the UK. Gain insights from national and international research, with a focus on workshops that celebrate best practice.
What You Will Gain
This CPD event will enhance your leadership skills and provide evidence-based strategies for improvement with a keynote from Phil Armstrong on how leadership shapes outcomes and deepens practice.
Engage with peers through workshops, share ideas, and build lasting connections with passionate Early Years Leaders with fresh inspiration to drive positive change in your school.
Bringing together exceptional Early Years Leaders, this will be a unique opportunity to connect and learn from those who have successfully transformed pedagogy and provision in their own school. Through a choice of workshops we will celebrate their leadership stories, share experiences, exchange ideas, and build relationships with like-minded, passionate professionals.
The workshops choices for Gatwick are listed below, you will have the opportunity to attend two of these during the day. You will be contacted nearer the date to select your preferred option.
Workshop A
Outdoor Learning: A Journey from Nursery to Year 1
Discover how, with support from Early Excellence, we redesigned our outdoor learning spaces, beginning with Nursery and Reception and extending into Year 1. This session will focus on the importance of the progression of resources and skills, and how these changes have fostered children’s curiosity, growth, and meaningful outcomes.
Hosted by:
Kate Gari
Brighton College Prep School
Read Kate’s Bio..
I’m Kate Gari, I have over 25 years of teaching experience in Primary education, my current role is Assistant Head for Nursery to Year 1 and Reception teacher at Brighton College Prep School. I was involved from the start of the journey to redevelop the Early Years outdoor learning spaces and extend outdoor provision into Year 1.
Workshop B
Curriculum Design in the EYFS
This workshop will explore how to design an EYFS curriculum that makes clear links to the National Curriculum while maintaining an authentic early years approach. Focusing on planning a high-quality, sequenced, and progressive curriculum through continuous provision and core texts, ensuring a balanced and effective learning experience for young children.
Hosted by:
Sophie Chaloner
Children First Academy Trust
Read Sophie’s Bio..
I’m Sophie Chaloner, I am an experienced Primary Senior Leader with a specialism in school-based EYFS, including curriculum design. As the EYFS lead for Children First Academy Trust, I have designed and overseen the implementation of a bespoke and highly rated EYFS curriculum across the Trust.
Workshop C
Spotlight on Early Writing: the Impact of Action Research
Join this inspiring workshop to hear how Action Research was used as a catalyst to strengthen writing in the Early Years. Michelle will explore the ongoing conundrum of boys and early writing, sharing how her project led to even the most reluctant writers eager to put pen to paper! Victoria will be sharing how she engaged with parents to support writing in her classroom in a truly impactful way.
Hosted by:
Michelle Sparkes & Victoria Jukes
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Northfleet & Stella Maris Catholic Primary School
Read Michelle’s Bio..
I’m Michelle Sparkes, EYFS and KS1 Lead at St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School. I started teaching 11 years ago in inner-city London and have a passion for the Early Years. Inclusion and raising standards are at the heart of my practice and I strive to provide all pupils with an excellent foundation and to inspire a love of learning.
Read Victoria’s Bio..
I am Victoria Jukes, I began teaching in 1998 at St. Mary’s University College, Twickenham, and started my first teaching role at Stella Maris, a Catholic school in Folkestone. Twenty-three years later, I’m still here, thriving within a school family that continues to inspire and excite me every day!
Conference Agenda
9:00am Arrival
Registration
Welcome and Introductions
Keynote
Workshop 1
Lunch and Networking
Workshop 2
Plenary
Interactive Classroom Learning Walk
4:00pm End
Lunch & Refreshments are included with your booking
Cost per person
Price:
£195.00 (exc. VAT)
Group Booking Rate:
Book 5 places or more and receive a 10% discount
Contact our Admin Team for the group discount
Phil Armstrong
I am Phil Armstrong, an educator with over 20 years of experience in early years and primary education. I lead school improvement consultancy, providing tailored training and collaborative programmes for schools and authorities across England and internationally.
Senior Education Lead
Early Excellence
Kate Gari
I’m Kate Gari, I have over 25 years of teaching experience in Primary education, my current role is Assistant Head for Nursery to Year 1 and Reception teacher at Brighton College Prep School. I was involved from the start of the journey to redevelop the Early Years outdoor learning spaces and extend outdoor provision into Year 1.
Brighton College Prep School
Sophie Chaloner
I’m Sophie Chaloner, I am an experienced Primary Senior Leader with a specialism in school-based EYFS, including curriculum design. As the EYFS lead for Children First Academy Trust, I have designed and overseen the implementation of a bespoke and highly rated EYFS curriculum across the Trust.
Children First Academy Trust
Victoria Jukes
I am Victoria Jukes, I began teaching in 1998 at St. Mary’s University College, Twickenham, and started my first teaching role at Stella Maris, a Catholic school in Folkestone. Twenty-three years later, I’m still here, thriving within a school family that continues to inspire and excite me every day!
Stella Maris Catholic Primary School
Michelle Sparkes
I’m Michelle Sparkes, EYFS and KS1 Lead at St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School. I started teaching 11 years ago in inner-city London and have a passion for the Early Years. Inclusion and raising standards are at the heart of my practice and I strive to provide all pupils with an excellent foundation and to inspire a love of learning.
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Northfleet