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 Solihull 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
Wonder Wood: Get Immersed in the Outdoors through Stories, Exploration and Play
Inspired by Forest School, Greg Bottrill, The Children’s Forest, and Nature, I’ve discovered new depths of play and magic! By transforming a space in the grounds, we have been able to enhance our practice across the whole school. In this workshop, I’ll share ideas and practical activities to help you create your own Wonder Wood.
Hosted by:
Claire Underwood
Hopping Hill/East Haddon CEVC Primary School
Read Claire’s Bio..
I am Claire Underwood, I have 17 years experience in primary teaching and leading Forest School. I’m passionate about Nature Connection and Creativity, weaving it into my daily practice. Teaching across two schools, I’ve created a ‘Wonder Wood’ and I am excited to share my ideas and connect with others
Workshop B
Today I’ve been a Try-o-saur: Embedding Self-Regulation in EYFS
Explore how developing a reflection system based on the Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning can help children become self-regulated, resilient, and engaged learners. Discover how explicitly teaching children about learning behaviours using relatable characters can empower them to articulate their learning process and foster independence.
Hosted by:
Sayeh Mariner & Jeni Williams
Co-op Academies Trust
Read Sayeh’s Bio..
I am Sayeh Mariner, I lead Early Years improvement across Co-op Academies in the West Pennines. With 20 years of experience as a teacher, EYFS Leader, SLE, and EY Expert for the DfE, I am passionate about creating high-quality environments that promote strong learning behaviours and maximise engagement.
Read Jeni’s Bio..
I am Jeni Williams, the EYFS Lead and Reception teacher at Co-op Academy Friarswood with experience in leading quality Early Years provision. I believe in the importance of enabling environments, strong routines, and the vital role of Personal, Social, and Emotional Development in nurturing young learners.
Workshop C
Everyone’s a Leader
At The Priory Witham Academy, our primary curriculum is based on a pedagogy rooted in early years principles of continuous and enhanced provision. At this workshop we will reflect and explore the development of leadership at all levels within a school community which has enabled us to create high quality, sustainable early years and KS1 provision that we are now continuing into KS2.
Hosted by:
Kirsty Dawson & Amy Tallentire
The Priory Witham Academy
Read Kirsty’s Bio..
I am Kirsty Dawson, an Assistant Headteacher at The Priory Witham Academy and a Literacy Specialist for the English Hub. I have been instrumental in leading continuous and enhanced provision within Early Years, KS1, and now in its development in KS2
Read Amy’s Bio..
I’m Amy Tallentire, Co-Headteacher at The Priory Witham Academy in Lincoln. Witham is an all-through school that educates pupils from the age of 2 to 18 years. I am in my eighth year of headship and have a keen interest in developing curriculum implementation through a pedagogical approach that centres around continuous and enhanced provision.
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
Claire Underwood
I am Claire Underwood, I have 17 years’ experience in primary teaching and leading Forest School. I’m passionate about Nature Connection and Creativity, weaving it into my daily practice. Teaching across two schools, I’ve created a ‘Wonder Wood’ and I am excited to share my ideas and connect with others
Hopping Hill/East Haddon CEVC Primary School
Sayeh Mariner
I am Sayeh Mariner, I lead Early Years improvement across Co-op Academies in the West Pennines. With 20 years of experience as a teacher, EYFS Leader, SLE, and EY Expert for the DfE, I am passionate about creating high-quality environments that promote strong learning behaviours and maximise engagement.
Co-op Academies Trust
Jeni Williams
I am Jeni Williams, the EYFS Lead and Reception teacher at Co-op Academy Friarswood with experience in leading quality Early Years provision. I believe in the importance of enabling environments, strong routines, and the vital role of Personal, Social, and Emotional Development in nurturing young learners.
Co-op Academy Friarswood
Kirsty Dawson
I am Kirsty Dawson, an Assistant Headteacher at The Priory Witham Academy and a Literacy Specialist for the English Hub. I have been instrumental in leading continuous and enhanced provision within Early Years, KS1, and now in its development in KS2.
The Priory Witham Academy
Amy Tallentire
I am Amy Tallentire, Co-Headteacher at The Priory Witham Academy in Lincoln. Witham is an all-through school that educates pupils from the age of 2 to 18 years. I am in my eighth year of headship and have a keen interest in developing curriculum implementation through a pedagogical approach that centres around continuous and enhanced provision.
The Priory Witham Academy