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 Harrogate 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
Supporting Early Writing Development in EYFS & Beyond
This workshop explores how to create and implement a progressive writing curriculum in the EYFS, providing strong foundations for children from Nursery through to Year 1. We will explore practical activities and share strategies to overcome common challenges, particularly in supporting children with lower starting points.
Hosted by:
Charlotte Kelly
Oldfield Brow Primary School
Read Charlotte’s Bio..
I’m Charlotte Kelly, a Nursery Teacher at Oldfield Brow Primary in Altrincham with seven years of teaching experience — two in Reception and five in Nursery. I am the Early Years Lead and Early Writing Lead, working closely with SLT and subject leaders to drive high-quality early education.
Workshop B
Supporting Stronger Practice in Teaching Self-Regulation in the EYFS
This workshop will focus on developing practice to help children regulate their emotions and support families in doing so at home. We’ll share the successful practice developed at Whitefield Primary School, practical strategies for your school and explore research on how self-regulation impacts learning and supports key executive functioning skills.
Hosted by:
Emma Doran
Whitefield Primary School
Read Emma’s Bio..
I’m Emma Doran, EYFS Lead at Whitefield Primary School. I have over 20 years of teaching and leadership experience in various schools and Children’s Centres in Liverpool. I am a qualified SENDCo passionate about early years and inclusion is a key driver in all aspects of my practice.
Workshop C
Creating an Enabling Environment that Inspires all Children
This workshop will share how we created a shared vision across the team and embedded pedagogy for quality learning environments, providing progression and challenge from Nursery into Year 1 with purposeful communication and language opportunities.
Hosted by:
Samantha Smith
Flanshaw Junior, Infant & Nursery School
Read Samantha’s Bio..
I’m Samantha Smith, a highly knowledgeable EYFS specialist with over 14 years experience. As a champion communicator and moderator, I use my passion and expertise in early years to support school improvement by creating inspiring learning environments and leading training across the authority.
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
Standard Rate:
£195.00 (exc. VAT)
Early Bird Special: *
£175.00 (exc. VAT)
Group Booking Rate:
Book 5 places or more and receive a 10% discount
Contact our Admin Team for the group discount
* Early bird offer on bookings made before 31st December 2024
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
Charlotte Kelly
I’m Charlotte Kelly, a Nursery Teacher at Oldfield Brow Primary in Altrincham with seven years of teaching experience — two in Reception and five in Nursery. I am the Early Years Lead and Early Writing Lead, working closely with SLT and subject leaders to drive high-quality early education.
Oldfield Brow Primary School
Emma Doran
I’m Emma Doran, EYFS Lead at Whitefield Primary School. I have over 20 years of teaching and leadership experience in various schools and Children’s Centres in Liverpool. I am a qualified SENDCo passionate about early years and inclusion is a key driver in all aspects of my practice.
Whitefield Primary School
Samantha Smith
I’m Samantha Smith, a highly knowledgeable EYFS specialist with over 14 years experience. As a champion communicator and moderator, I use my passion and expertise in early years to support school improvement by creating inspiring learning environments and leading training across the authority.
Flanshaw Junior, Infant & Nursery School