Conference for Leaders of School Sport in Scotland
Thursday 19 September at The Glasgow Academy
Dates & Venues
School sport is in an era of unprecedented change. Many of the assumptions which have applied for nearly 100 years are under threat from a variety of pressures. New parental expectations, changing attitudes to team games, emerging sports and exercise opportunities all increase demands on Directors of Sport. Current and proposed political threats also influence the place of sport: there are pressures to consolidate provision and cut costs – alongside an acute awareness that sport is one of the points of difference that the independent sector offers. It is central to the business case.
This combination of factors presents various pressures to school sport and its leaders. Firstly, there is a greater drive than ever to ensure an excellent, inclusive, imaginative and efficient offering. Second is the need to exist within a collaborative eco-system, working with other schools, government and national sports bodies, to ensure that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. It is not a good time to be an outlier.
This year’s PADSIS Scotland Conference seeks to address these issues and to equip Directors of Sport with the knowledge, skills and industry awareness to ensure they can navigate the new school year with confidence.
Programme
9.30am
Conference Assembles. Refreshments
10.00am
Introductory Remarks
Chris Dossett, PADSIS Chair
10.15am
The Implications of Political Threats for School Sport
Matthew Pearce, Rector, The Glasgow Academy
10.45am
Creating a Culture of ExcellenceCreating a Culture of Excellence
David Faulkner MBE OLY
11.30am
Refreshment Break
11.45am
Sport Scotland: Aspirations for School Sport
12.30pm
Lunch
1.15pm
Afternoon Seminar Programme 1
either Scottish Hockey: Building the school game
or What Does Co-educational School Sport Really Mean?
Chris Dossett
or The Future of School Sport Programmes
Neil Rollings
2.30pm
Refreshment Break
2.45pm
Afternoon Seminar Programme 2
either Staffing the Sports Programme
Neil Rollings
or Netball Scotland: The Future of the Game in Schools
or Cricket Scotland: Opportunities for School Cricket
3.30pm
Conference disperses
Prices
1 DELEGATE £219 (+VAT)
2 DELEGATES £299 (+VAT)
Includes refreshments, lunch and resources. Excludes VAT
Speakers
David Faulkner MBE OLY
David is an ex Olympic Gold medallist GB hockey player and was Head of Performance – Women’s Professional Game and Para at The Football Association. Previously he was Director of Sport at Millfield School between 2012–17, and prior to this Performance Director at England Hockey from 2005 to 2012. David was awarded an MBE for services to Sport in June 2021 and currently a non-executive Director of Hampshire Cricket. He now specialises in people and team development across business, education and sport covering leadership, cultural development, behaviour and high performing teams.
Chris Dossett
Chris has been Chair of PADSIS (The Professional Association of Directors of Sport in Independent Schools) since January 2024. He has over thirty years teaching experience, including Director of Sport posts at Pangbourne College, The Portsmouth Grammar School, Uppingham and Solihull.
Neil Rollings
Neil was Director of Sport in four independent schools, over a 21-year career. He was Chairman of HMC NE Games Masters' Conference and an Independent Schools Inspector. Neil now works with schools in the UK and overseas, developing sports programmes and appointing Directors of Sport. He is a member of the RFU Schools' Partnerships Group, contributor to the Government Task Force on the Future of PE, member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood. He was Chairman of the Professional Association of Directors of Sport in Independent Schools for 15 years, and is Course Director of the University of Buckingham MA programme in Leading School Sport.