2026 National Conference for Directors of Sport in Independent Schools | ICE Education
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2026 National Conference for Directors of Sport in Independent Schools

Thursday & Friday, 5–6 March 2026 at Leonardo Royal Hotel, Oxford

National Conference for Directors of Sport in Independent Schools – 5-6 March 2026
Dates & Venues

    The world’s largest gathering of Directors of Sport in Independent Schools

    Sport continues to play a vital role in the life and business of schools. Yet its future priorities and resources are under increasing pressure. With traditional programmes being challenged and expectations evolving rapidly, clear vision and inspiring leadership in school sport have never been more important.

    This year’s conference is designed to support Directors of Sport across the full breadth of their responsibilities — strengthening their impact as school leaders through the latest insights into emerging developments, best practice, and sector compliance.

    PADSIS 2026 offers more choice than ever before, featuring an expanded programme with a wider range of optional seminars to ensure every delegate — from schools of every size and type — finds content directly relevant to their current challenges. To support this, the Thursday programme has been extended, while the Forum remains a central focus of the conference.

    The Forum continues to enjoy the strong backing of the Sports Committees of HMC, GSA, and IAPS. As always, we’ll conduct sector-wide research ahead of the event and present our findings during the Forum, providing delegates with valuable, data-driven insights into current trends across the sector.

    For the first time, PADSIS is partnering with IAPS to deliver a dedicated event for the prep sector. The seminar programme will include sessions of immediate practical value for leaders of sport in prep schools; alongside keynote speakers whose messages resonate across the full age range.

    Beyond the formal sessions, the conference offers a fantastic opportunity to connect, network, and socialise with like-minded professionals who share a passion for sport and education.

    We look forward to welcoming you to PADSIS 2026.

    Programme

    Thursday 5 March

    12.00pm

    Conference Assembles. Light Lunch. Refreshments
    Please note that check in to rooms is not available until 3pm
    12.30pm
    Discussion Forum One:
    Whole Sector Issues – Presentation of 2026 Survey Results

    1.45pm
    Discussion Forum Two:
    School Group Sessions
    Delegates choose one of the following:
    1    Girls’ Schools
    2    Small Schools
    (under approx.500 pupils)
    3    Predominantly Boarding Schools
    4    Co-educational Schools
    5    High Performing Schools
    6    Prep Schools

    2.45pm

    Keynote Speech

    Physical Education at the Heart of School Life: Why the New Curriculum Matters
    Kate Thornton-Bousfield
    CEO AfPE

    3.45pm

    Delegates choose one of the following:

    1 HMC Panel Feedback 
    Kevin Knibbs 
    Headmaster, Hampton School, Chair, HMC Sports Committee
    Rachel Owens 
    Head, St George’s, Weybridge 
    2 IAPS Sports Committee Feedback
    Sarah Rollings
    Head St Helen & St Katharine, Chair of GSA Sport and Wellness Committee
    3 GSA Sports Committee Feedback

    4.30pm

    Breakout Sessions One

    Delegates choose one of the following:
    1 Performance, Pride, and Purpose: Rethinking School Sportswear
    Limitless
    2 Making Use of New Functions in Veo
    Veo
    3 Beyond Concussion: Building a Culture of Player Welfare in Schools
    Sam Barke
    Meliora Medical
    4 Attracting the ADHD Athletes: Creating safe places so they thrive 
    Dr Josie Perry
    5 Building Movers for Life: Physical Literacy in the Prep School Years: 
    Dr Sam Gregory
    6 Defining Excellence in Leadership: Reflections on School Visits
    Chris Dossett

    5.00pm

    Refreshment break
    5.15pm

    Sessions Two

    Delegates choose one of the following:
    1 Making the Most of the New SOCS Functions
    James Kershaw-Naylor
    2 P3RFORM Principles: Building Athletic Excellence in Schools
    P3RFORM
    3 Support Matters: Why Sports Bras Belong on Every School Kit List
    Pebe
    4 Why School Sport Matters: Evidence to Shape and Strengthen Your Programme
    Dr Mairead Ryan 
    School Health Pulse
    5 Preparing for the Future of School Sport 
    Neil Rollings
    6 Working in the UAE
    Roger Nicholson

    7.00pm
    Drinks for New Delegates
    8.00pm
    Conference Dinner

    Friday 6 March

    9.30am 

    Conference assembles, refreshments

    10.00am
    Leading with Purpose: A Positive Future for Sport in Our Schools
    Chris Dossett
    Chair of PADSIS 

    10.30am
    Culture is a Team Sport: Building Belief, Belonging and Behaviour
    Geva Mentor CBE
    England Roses Netball
    Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE
    CEO Leeds Rhinos

    11.15am 

    Refreshment break

    11.30am
    The World of Parental Engagement
    Gordon MacLellan WPIS

    12.00pm
    Working with your Bursar
    Baz Bennett 
    COO, Sedbergh School

    12.30pm

    Lunch

    1.30pm

    Seminar Session One

    Delegates choose one of the following sessions:
    1 Creating Lasting Impact:
    The Power of School Sports Travel
    Edwin Doran
    2 Compliance in Sport: Managing Risk Assessment to be Inspection Ready
    Citation
    3 Retaining Pupils in Team Games in an Environment of Choice
    Neil Rollings
    4 From Elite Dressing Rooms to the Classroom: Communication That Drives Performance
    Eamon Devlin 
    Minute9
    5 Supporting Female Athletes
    Geva Mentor CBE 
    England Roses Netball
    6 Working with your Head in Prep School Sport
    Bill Toleman

    2.15pm

    Refreshment break
    2.30pm

    Seminar Session Two

    Delegates choose one of the following sessions
    1 Unlocking Potential: Driving Excellence
    Perform Better
    2 The Rise of Padel: What Schools Need to Know 
    S&C Slatter
    3 Protecting Performance: The Role of OPRO in School Sport Safety
    OPRO
    4 Working with Parents of High Performers
    Gordon MacLelland 
    WWPIS
    5 Brave Conversations: Supporting Mental Health in Young People Through Sport
    Simon Trower 
    Founder Brave Mind
    6 Managing Staff in School Sport 
    Neil Rollings
    7 Managing Risk in School Fitness Centres 
    Citation
    3.30pm

    Conference closes
    Prices

    Full Conference
    Includes Thursday and Friday plus dinner and Accommodation

    PADSIS Members  £469
    Non Members  £529
    Two Delegates from the same school  £769
    (PADSIS Members)
    Two Delegates from the same school  £799
    (Non PADSIS Members)

    Thursday or Friday Only

    PADSIS Members  £299 
    Non Members  £339
    Two Delegates from the same school  £529
    (PADSIS Members)
    Two Delegates from the same school  £569
    (Non PADSIS Members)

    Thursday Night Dinner  £65

    All prices exclude VAT

    Don’t forget schools can now reclaim the VAT on all our courses

    Call to discuss rates not listed, or additional requirements. All prices include resources, refreshments, lunch on Friday and merchandise.

    Updated 08 October 2025

    Categories Seminar Programme