National Conference for Co-Curricular Leaders
Wednesday 26 November at Hilton London Olympia, Kensington

Dates & Venues
Welcome to the 2025 Conference for leaders of the co-curriculum. This is the largest assembly of this constituency in the country, and offers a chance to stay abreast of current practice, contemporary thinking and new initiatives.
The morning will address issues faced by every school. These existed before schools were subjected to recent financial pressure, but have been intensified by it. In an environment where the co-curriculum is a major point of difference for the sector, the difficulty of staffing all its dimensions with a workforce that is both able and willing is a challenge which all schools face. Much of the morning will be dedicated to the findings of research into how schools approach this, and consider how staff expectations might be presented in a manner that is broadly perceived as fair, but enables a school to offer a programme which is diverse and has wide opportunities for excellence. Partnership work presents similar dilemmas, and an update on the shifting landscape will inform benchmarking of approaches.
The afternoon presents a range of sessions, enabling delegates to pursue topics which are pertinent to their priorities and environments. As always, there will be opportunities to network with like-minded professionals in a convivial atmosphere.
Programme
9.30am |
Conference Assembles
|
10.00am |
Teacher Workload Norms:
|
10.45am |
Models for Monitoring Staff CommitmentsNeil Rollings, PADSIS |
11.30am |
Refreshment break |
11.45am |
Partnerships and Outreach in a Changed Political LandscapeDr Joe Spence, CEO Schools Partnerships Alliance, Former Head Dulwich College |
12.30pm |
Lunch |
1.30pm |
Afternoon Seminar Programme Session OneDelegates choose ONE of the following sessions: either The Challenges Facing Music EducationMark Aicheson, The Music Teachers’ Associationor Getting More Out of SOCS Co-CurricularJames Kershaw-Naylor, SOCSor Developing Character and Resilience Through Outdoor ActivitiesDavid Coleman, Civvy to Commando |
2.30pm |
Afternoon Seminar Programme Session TwoDelegates choose ONE of the following sessions:
either Managing Risk on Ski TripsOperations Manager, SkiBoundor Legal Updates for Educational Visits CoordinatorsPaul Bond, Outdoor Education Advisors’ Panelor Maintaining a Team Games Culture in an Environment of ChoiceNeil Rollings, PADSIS |
3.30pm |
Conference disperses |
Prices
1 delegate £225
2 delegates £359
All prices exclude VAT
Don’t forget schools can now reclaim the VAT on all our courses
Conference runs 9.30am – 3.30pm. Prices include catering and resources. In the event of you needing to cancel a place on a course, please note we require 14 days notice.