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Curriculum Conference 2026
When
Thursday, 19 March 10:00am - 5:00pmWhere
Mary Ward House, 7 Tavistock PlacePrice
From £135 + VAT and feesFollowing the Government’s publication of its full report on the Review of the Curriculum and Assessment System, BESA is pleased to announce our annual Curriculum Conference for 2026 – proudly supported by our media partner ITN.
This year’s conference offers a unique opportunity to engage with leading experts and peers as we explore the Department for Education’s proposed changes and what they mean for the education sector. In addition to opportunities to network with peers and sector leaders, the conference offers a day of insight and discussion as we unpack the substance of these changes and their implications for suppliers and schools.
What to Expect
- Expert Perspectives
Hear from those involved in shaping the national curriculum, past and present, and gain valuable insights into the Government’s intended direction of travel - Practical Approaches
Discover how teachers are designing and sequencing their curriculum today, and how practices have evolved over the last decade - Implementation Challenges
Consider the key hurdles to adopting the new curriculum and strategies to overcome them - Future Focus
Understand how these changes aim to refocus the system on essential skills every child should learn at school.
Join peers and experts at BESA’s Curriculum Conference as we explore these upcoming changes and their impact on the educational suppliers sector.
Chair
Dawn Hallybone, Chief Operations Officer, 2Simple
Dawn Hallybone brings a wealth of expertise to BESA’s Executive Council. As Chief Operations Officer at 2Simple, she leads strategic initiatives that support primary and secondary schools in the UK and internationally, ensuring digital tools enhance learning outcomes and reduce teacher workload. Dawn is passionate about the transformative potential of technology to enrich the curriculum, foster creativity, and engage learners. In her role as Chair of BESA’s Curriculum Special Interest Group, Dawn collaborates with industry leaders to address key curriculum challenges and opportunities. Her 24 years in primary education, spanning classroom and senior leadership roles, give her deep insight into the needs of schools, teachers, and learners. Her broad experience, strategic insight, and commitment to improving education make her an invaluable asset to the BESA board.
Media Partner & Global Education Digital Content Supplier
ITN are the industry’s premier educational video content provider. Their work reaches millions of learners globally through partnerships with Discovery Education, National Geographic Learning, Pearson, OUP, CUP, and the BBC, among others. We’re proud to collaborate with a team whose mission aligns so closely with ours: to elevate educational impact through powerful storytelling and purposeful media.
Timings
10:00am
Registration and refreshments
10:25am
Welcome from the Chair
Dawn Hallybone, Chief Operations Officer, 2Simple
10:30am
Evolution not Revolution: Keynote address on the recommendations from Curriculum & Assessment Review.
11:10am
The Case for Change: Why the recommendations from the Curriculum and Assessment Review are necessary.
11:50pm
A Change in Direction: Do the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s recommendations risk undermining progress?
12:30pm
Lunch
1:30pm
Welcome back from the Chair
Dawn Hallybone, Chief Operations Officer, 2Simple
1:31pm
From Curriculum to Classroom: How teachers bring the curriculum to life.
2:31pm
The Core Subjects: An expert led discussion on the core changes for English, Maths, and Science
3:11pm
Refreshments
3:31pm
A Curriculum for All: The new curriculum’s inclusion led approach.
4:16pm
Skills for the Future: An expert led panel discussion on the inclusion of Financial, Digital, and Media literacy.
5:01pm
Closing Remarks
5:05pm
Event Closes
Hear from past delegates
“The BESA Conference was insightful, well-paced, and packed with thought-provoking discussions. The mix of panels and presentations provided practical ideas I can take back to drive real solutions. Highly recommended!“
Samantha Austen, The Day News & Media Ltd
“It was great to attend my first BESA curriculum conference and have the opportunity to hear from leading experts in curriculum and assessment research and design. While we come from various organisations with different specialisms, there was a common thread in anticipating the new curriculum review and utilising our skills to bring positive change for teachers and students.“
Sarah Bremner, Educake
Venue Details
Mary Ward House, 7 Tavistock Place
