VNET EDUCATION CIC

Norfolk School Leaders’ Conference 2026

In collaboration with Educate Norfolk

Norfolk School Leaders' Conference | 12 November 2026

Brought to you by Norfolk School Leaders' Association and VNET Education CIC

Keynotes

Keynote: Leadership Resilience – Nicola S. Morgan

Nicola Morgan delivers a powerful keynote on resilience that breaks into four actionable strategies drawing from her grueling solo English Channel swim. First, she focuses on reframing failure, sharing how her initial failed attempt became a roadmap for future success rather than a final defeat. Second, she explores if ‘no’, what next, teaching audiences how to pivot constructively when facing absolute blockades. Third, she emphasises changing old ways that aren’t working, using mindset resets and behavioural shifts to break through rigid patterns. Finally, she demonstrates why attention is a superpower, showing how laser-sharp, disciplined focus keeps individuals steady under immense pressure.

Nicola S. Morgan

A multi award-winning TEDx and keynote speaker, international education consultant, author and teacher, Nicola has spent over 28 years supporting schools to strengthen behaviour culture, improve staff confidence and create learning environments where both adults and pupils can succeed even when emotions run high. She has worked with thousands of educators and school leaders across the UK and internationally, helping staff under pressure reconnect with what they do best: lead with clarity, courage and calm.

Nine Steps to Executive Leadership – Paul K. Ainsworth

In this keynote, Paul guides successful school leaders through the turbulent transition into executive leadership. Tailored both for newly appointed executives who find their proven headship strategies no longer apply and also to those leaders who are considering executive headship and leadership posts, the session provides a clear roadmap to navigate this high-stakes shift. Ainsworth systematically deconstructs his “nine steps to executive leadership.” He brings these principles to life using engaging, real-world anecdotes and powerful quotes drawn from his extensive career across multiple academy trusts. Concluding with actionable takeaways, the keynote equips leaders with the mindset, strategic vision, and practical tools needed to thrive at the executive level.

Paul K. Ainsworth

Paul is CEO designate of NACE (National Association for Able Children in Education) and an experienced education executive, consultant, and author dedicated to long-term school improvement. Over the past eleven years, he has held senior leadership roles across four Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs)—including serving as an Advisor, Regional Director, Interim Executive Head, and Director. His extensive system leadership includes supporting over 40 Ofsted inspections and chairing the boards of numerous primary, secondary, and multi-academy trusts. Paul also hosts the ‘No Silver Bullets Podcast’ the first series of which considers the Nine Steps to Executive Headship

Morning Workshops

Dealing with Difficult People & Conversations

Nicola S. Morgan

Difficult conversations are an unavoidable part of school leadership. Whether managing staff performance, responding to parent concerns or handling conflict within teams, the ability to communicate calmly, confidently and effectively under pressure is essential. This practical and engaging workshop equips headteachers with the strategies and confidence to prepare for difficult conversations, reduce tension, manage emotional responses and communicate with clarity in high pressure situations.

Supporting Neurodivergent Staff: What Schools are Missing

Perfectly Autistic

Most conversations about neurodiversity in education focus on pupils, yet many of the same needs exist within your staff, often hidden behind high performance, coping strategies and years of masking.

In this session, Kelly Grainger explores how neurodivergence presents differently in adults and why this can lead to missed support, misinterpreted behaviours and delayed burnout.

Moving beyond awareness, this session focuses on what this means in practice for headteachers, from communication and workplace expectations to creating environments where staff can perform without the hidden cost of constant coping.

Grounded in lived experience and real-world organisational insight, this session offers clear, practical shifts that leaders can apply immediately to better support their teams.

Making the Most Out of Your Pension and Tax Allowances as a Senior Leader

Wesleyan

Making the most out of your pension and tax allowances as a senior leader As a senior leader in education, your pension is likely to be one of your most valuable financial assets. However, higher earnings, pension growth and changes to the pension schemes can also mean that senior leaders face more complex decisions around tax allowances, retirement planning and how to maximise their benefits.

Understanding your position early can help you make informed decisions, avoid unexpected tax implications and ensure you are making the most of the benefits available to you and your family. Whether retirement is approaching or still many years away, the decisions you make during your senior leadership career can have a significant impact on your long-term financial position.

During the session, we will cover:

What the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and Local Government Pension Scheme provide for you and your family
Recent pension scheme changes and how they could affect your retirement benefits and lump sum
Ill-health retirement and the financial protection available for your family in the event of death
The McCloud Remedy and what it could mean for your pension
Understanding the Annual Allowance and how pension growth can create tax implications for higher earners
How to make the most of available pension and tax allowances while avoiding unnecessary tax charges
How pension tax relief works and the potential benefits of additional pension contributions
Options for building additional wealth and strengthening your financial position ahead of retirement.

Afternoon Workshops

Executive Leadership

Paul K. Ainsworth

This practical workshop explores the first three steps of The Nine Steps to Executive Headship: building one vision, fostering a shared purpose, and unleashing the capacity of your team. Drawing on real examples from Executive Heads across the country, we will examine how to craft a compelling, lived vision that guides daily practice; how to nurture a shared purpose across schools using strategies such as the non identical twin test and values led decision making; and how to unlock staff capacity through smart structures, shared leadership, and collaborative curriculum design. Participants will have the opportunity to apply these ideas to their own contexts. Expect an interactive session focused on what leaders can do tomorrow to strengthen alignment, build trust, and accelerate improvement across their schools.

Emotional Literacy

Richard Evans

What if the children who struggle most at school aren’t failing — but responding exactly as expected to unmet emotional needs?

With over 15 years’ experience working in lower sets and small-group settings, teacher, author and trainer Richard Evans sees first-hand how pupils labelled as disruptive, apathetic or underachieving are often carrying anxiety, trauma, low self-worth and exhaustion into the classroom.

At the heart of Richard’s response is emotional literacy: the ability to understand ourselves, recognise unmet needs and communicate what’s really going on beneath behaviour.In this workshop, Richard explains how we can teach both pupils and teachers to be more emotionally literate by sharing with you his Passport tool — a set of reflective questions exploring confidence, organisation and behaviour — which creates a shared language between educator and student, replacing judgement with curiosity.

Place-Informed Education in Norfolk

Professor Tanya Ovenden-Hope, Dean of Place and Social Purpose, Dean of Research and Knowledge Exchange (interim) and Professor of Education.

In this workshop Professor Tanya Ovenden-Hope, Plymouth Marjon University, will demonstrate, using findings from her research on Educational Isolation and ‘Pretty Poverty’, why place matters for school leaders in Norfolk. Tanya will explain why place-informed practice is not an optional add-on for educational leadership in coastal and rural areas. She will invite you to consider your school systems and practices through a place-informed lens and ask whether student support, curriculum, school access and belonging are designed to mitigate any place-based challenges.

Discount available for bookings of 10 or more tickets. Use coupon code GROUP10.

Conference Schedule:

Norfolk School Leaders’ Association is the Headteachers’ Association for Norfolk primary and secondary schools. In a fragmented and often challenging landscape, they provide support, collaborative opportunities and a collective voice for school leaders in Norfolk.

Their purpose is:

To identify and address the most poignant issues impacting on Norfolk’s leaders and their schools
To improve the wellbeing of Norfolk leaders
To encourage and support system generosity for the improvement of all Norfolk schools
To act as Norfolk’s voice in the wider education landscape
To work with and be a conduit of information to and from local and national organisations including the DfE, local MPs and the LA, furthering Norfolk causes on a national stage
Facilitate and support effective induction for Headteachers.

VNET Education CIC is a wholly independent, not-for-profit, Community Interest Company dedicated to supporting schools’ self improvement journeys.

VNET Education CIC supports schools, academies and MATs across East Anglia and beyond through a vibrant network. They facilitate CPD, training, consultancy, events, conferences, research and longitudinal projects across our community to support education professionals, for the benefit of children and young people. Read more…

The E-Learning Service

Since 2003, The E-Learning Service has been a trusted provider of Alternative Provision in Norfolk, delivering high-quality online education to children and young people across all key stages. Our flexible, student-centred approach ensures that each learner receives tailored support designed to meet their individual needs, helping them to thrive academically and personally. We are fully audited by Norfolk County Council, guaranteeing that our practices consistently align with DfE regulations and uphold the highest standards of educational provision.

Find out more: e-learningservice.org

apetito

apetito helps schools serve delicious meals that children love. Our chef-crafted, dietitian-approved dishes increase meal uptake, reduce food waste and simplify catering, making it easier for schools to deliver nutritious meals without compromise.

Why schools choose apetito