The ninth annual AoEA Connecting Educators Summit has once again brought together a powerful community of education advisers, school leaders, and system thinkers, united by a shared commitment to raising the quality of education advice.
Held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Manchester Airport, this year’s Summit provided a rich and thought-provoking programme, blending strategic insight, practical application, and meaningful professional dialogue.
A Summit Built on Connection and Purpose
From the pre-conference dinner through to the closing remarks, the Summit created space for genuine connection. The opening panel discussion, featuring Baroness Estelle Morris, Les Walton CBE, and Rory File, challenged delegates to consider a fundamental question: if we were designing the education system today, what would we do differently?
This spirit of reflection and forward thinking carried throughout the entire event.
Keynotes That Challenged and Inspired
The keynote sessions addressed some of the most pressing issues in education today.
Wayne Harris opened the day with a compelling focus on building inclusive attendance cultures, encouraging schools to rethink engagement and belonging. Felicity Gillespie followed with a powerful exploration of governance and its critical role in school improvement. Emma Turner closed the keynote series with a thought-provoking session on leadership, drawing unexpected lessons from early childhood practice.
Together, these sessions encouraged delegates to think deeply about leadership, systems, and the human dimensions of education.
Values-Driven Leadership at the Forefront
A highlight of the Summit was the expert panel discussion on values-driven leadership. The panel explored how leaders can move beyond compliance and instead focus on sustainable, principled improvement.
Discussions emphasised trust, collaboration, and the importance of acting as critical friends, balancing support with challenge to drive meaningful change.
Sharing Great Practice Across the System
At the heart of the Summit were the “Sharing Great Practice” sessions, where AoEA Associates and Senior Associates showcased real-world work across a range of areas including curriculum design, leadership, professional development, organisational development, and change management.
These sessions provided practical, evidence-informed approaches grounded in lived experience. From embedding cognitive science in classrooms to navigating leadership transitions and harnessing AI for inclusive learning, delegates were able to engage with ideas directly applicable to their own contexts.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Summit reaffirmed the strength and purpose of the AoEA community. It is more than an event. It is a space where ideas are tested, professional relationships are strengthened, and collective ambition is renewed.
As we reflect on the conversations, insights, and connections made over the past two days, one thing is clear: the future of education advice depends on collaboration, courage, and a continued commitment to improvement.
We look forward to continuing this journey together, our next Summit will mark a decade of our tradition of connecting educators.