BESA's annual summer member event returns for 2024 at The Oval Cricket Ground this July!

As always, the day will offer BESA members an informative mix of discussions and talks from a range of inspiring and influential guest speakers, followed by networking with fellow members over an al fresco lunch overlooking the cricket ground. We look forward to welcoming all of our members (and cricket fans!) back for this year's event.

Agenda:

09.00 - Registration, tea and coffee

09.30 - Welcome and introduction

Caroline Wright, Director General, BESA

09.35 - Operational Excellence in the UK and USA As a natural evolution from their work on Professional Standards, ISBL has commissioned unique research into Operational Excellence, which looks at the ingredients for the success of any organisation, including but not limited to people, culture, and systems and their effective deployment. Stephen will be comparing and contrasting well-developed industry practice with what ISBL observe in this country’s education system and a sample of districts from across the United States.

Stephen Morales, CEO, Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL)

10.10 - Panel discussion: Bridging the procurement gap between suppliers, schools and MATs The education landscape is rapidly evolving, and the collaboration between education suppliers, schools, and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of learning. This panel discussion aims to foster dialogue, share insights, and explore strategies for effective collaboration between education suppliers and institutions regarding effective procurement. The discussion will be enriched by the diverse perspectives of our esteemed panellists representing schools, MATs, and suppliers.

• Trudy Spillane, Headteacher, Drapers Maylands Primary School
• Mark Unwin, CEO, Create Partnership Trust, Birmingham
• Simon Hill, Managing Director, YPO and Chair of BESA Executive Council

10.40 - Research: What schools are buying report A presentation on the outcomes of BESA's 'What schools are buying' research report, providing insights into schools' purchasing patterns.

Peter Doyle, Policy Manager, BESA

11.00 - Tea and coffee break & networking

11.30 - BESA SIGs, schools and MATs - LIVE! Imagine BESA SIG-focused Table Talks chaired by subject and aspect leaders with purchasing power from primary and secondary schools and MATs sharing insights into resource buying habits, what works in terms of marketing, and where school leaders find their inspiration for new products and services. across subjects and aspects e.g.  science, humanities, arts, music, SEND and Early Years. Join a table of your choice for a 60-minute peer-to-peer discussions with a chance to ask questions and share best practice with school leaders and fellow BESA members. 

12.30 - Insights from the prep school sector: What can BESA members glean from the characteristics and behaviours of prep schools? As Chief Executive of IAPS, Dominic Norrish is closely connected to the views, priorities and concerns of the 650+ headteachers in membership. He came to this role following a decade as an executive at United Learning. His session will share insights from the prep school sector to help BESA members better engage and further understand its unique characteristics and behaviours.

Dominic Norrish, Chief Executive, Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS)

13.15 - Closing remarks

Caroline Wright, Director General, BESA

13.20 - Alfresco buffet lunch, BESA Awards and networking

17.00 - Close of event

Key speakers:

Stephen Morales, CEO, Institute of School Business Leadership

Stephen has a 20-year career history in operations and finance, working at a senior level in the public and private sectors, both in the UK and abroad. Stephen presided over the development and implementation of nationally recognised school business leadership professional standards and led the transition from the National Association of School Business Management to the Institute of School Business Leadership. Stephen works closely with the Department for Education in areas of policy reform, and his commitment to research to aid our self-improving system includes ongoing engagement with international jurisdictions including Australia, Europe, the Middle East and the US.

Dominic Norrish, Chief Executive, Independent Association of Prep Schools

Dominic is Chief Executive of IAPS (Independent Association of Prep Schools), the largest Heads’ association in the independent sector, serving schools in the UK and globally. Prior to this, he was Chief Operating Officer at United Learning, with responsibilities spanning digital, HR and marketing for their then 90+ independent and state schools, his experience leading them through the pandemic capping a decade spent working at scale to create education-focused services to support school effectiveness. He began his career as a Year 5 teacher before moving into school leadership roles and time spent in the private sector.

Headline sponsor

Interested in being a category sponsor for this year's BESA Awards?

If you're interested in sponsoring opportunities with this or any other BESA event, please contact eventsteam@besa.org.uk.

If you are a BESA member, submit your entry to this year's BESA Awards here.

Please email eventsteam@besa.org.uk with any questions you may have. 

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