Association of Education Advisers

Coaching 2: Applied Coaching for Advisers and Leaders
2026-02-12 09:00 - 12:30 (Europe/London) | Online
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
This session will build on your AoEA Level 1 Coaching knowledge by learning about and applying different approaches. There will be a plethora of new and different ideas, challenges, and case studies to stimulate debate and enhance your learning and the practical sessions.

As well as goal setting, tuning in, and contracting, we will consider: chemistry; ‘the tone’; trusting relationships; authenticity; co-active coaching; beginnings, middles and endings; metaphors; drawing; using the space; OSKAR; ZOUD; and unconditional positive regard.
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Book Launch – Advising on Organisational Development in Education
2026-02-24 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Advising on Organisational Development in Education, the fourth book in The Education Adviser series by the Association of Education Advisers (AoEA). This event is your chance to dive into the latest insights on organisational development in education with the book’s authors and contributors.

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
Time: 4:00 PM (GMT)
Location: Online via Zoom
What to Expect:
Keynote presentation by Dr Tony Birch and Ian Lane on behalf of the AoEA Editorial Team
Panel discussion with insights from contributors
Q&A session with experts and authors
Available for preorder, now!
Preorder Your Copy Here.
Again, special thanks to all our outstanding contributors:
Al Kingsley, MBE – CEO, NetSupport
Carolyn Roberts – Secretary, Ethical Leadership Alliance
Catherine Redgrave – School Improvement Manager, Hampshire County Council
Damian Eannetta – School Improvement Professional, Education Authority Northern Ireland
Emma Knights, OBE – Former CEO of National Governance Association
Grant Gillies – Headteacher, South Morningside Primary School
Harry Greer – Education Consultant, Northern Ireland
Joanne Davison – Partner, Muckle LLP
Kevin McDermid – AoEA Development Team
Kirsty Logan-Hall – Principal, Tullygally Primary School
Les Walton – Chair, AoEA
Liz Birchinall – Director of Primary PGCE, University of Manchester
Matthew Humphreys – School Improvement Officer, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Narinder Gill – DfE RISE Adviser
Sir Peter Lauener – Former Chief Executive of the Education and Skills Funding Agency
Peter Parish – AoEA Development Team
Roisin Harbinson – Senior Education Adviser, Education Authority Northern Ireland
Sian Smith – Primary Phase Inspector, Hampshire County Council
Jackie Wallace – Education Consultant, Northern Ireland
Catherine Wegwermer, MBE – Education Consultant, Northern Ireland

Briefing Session: IQSEA February 2026
2026-02-26 16:00 - 17:00 | Microsoft Teams
Interested in enhancing the quality of education advice? Learn more about the benefits of our International Quality Standard for Education Advisers.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The Association of Education Advisers (AoEA) has been established to help ensure quality and consistency in the advice given by school and college improvement advisers working in the education system.
These colleagues play a critical role and are increasingly deployed to provide specialist advice in the areas of educational improvement, governance, change management, finance and people development. Significant numbers of education leaders now work for national, international and local government,
individual schools, academies and colleges and other educational settings. The need for quality and consistency of advice is a very important concern. While government departments make their own judgements about the strengths and weaknesses of individual schools, it is essential that schools and colleges are confident their self-evaluation is sound and will withstand scrutiny by regulatory bodies.
The diverse education systems across the UK and overseas comprise a wide range of education leaders with different titles, who work to a variety of guidelines and standards and adopt differing approaches to the various requirements and priorities of providers. The system requires better quality and greater consistency and reliability in the advice received.
In the past, the accreditation of education advisers has tended to concentrate on data analysis and the key aspects of school and college improvement, as identified by government. The education context has significantly changed and requires a broader focus on corporate governance, establishing and developing educational organisations and quality management systems. The AoEA has developed an accreditation process based on clearly defined competence criteria which will allow people intending to provide advice to schools and colleges to demonstrate that they meet rigorous standards.
To learn more please join us for one of our briefing sessions about our quality standard and benefits for becoming a member.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Coaching 3: Advanced Coaching for Advisers and Leaders – From Individual to a Team Approach
2026-03-05 09:00 - 12:30 | Online
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This session will build on levels 1 and 2 and look to forward and deepen coaching practice by introducing advanced coaching techniques. It will also mark a subtle change, which demands that thinking moves towards how best to introduce coaching into the team setting, with a view to becoming part of a small-scale system.
We will consider your coaching approach and thoughts, and challenge you in the practical sessions. We will explore: chemistry; the coaching state; co-active approaches; return to OSKAR and ZOUD; discuss beginnings, middles, and endings; intuition; body language; and BAGs.
Two participants will feedback on background reading designed to extend and enhance learning.
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Using an Organisational Development Approach to School Improvement
2026-03-05 09:00 - 2026-03-06 15:00 | Private: Seamus Heaney Homeplace, 45 Main Street, Bellaghy, BT45 8HT
This full-day session will extend your understanding and knowledge of the facets of organisational development, how they interconnect and how contextual factors influence planning for improvement. It will support you with the process of School Development Planning. Please choose one date.

THIS EVENT IS FOR EANI COLLEAGUES ONLY

EduKIT: Using Data and Staff Development to Improve Pupil Outcomes
2026-03-17 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
This session explores how purposeful leadership can transform school culture, systems, and outcomes. On appointment as principal, Dr Michelle Rainey led the introduction of new policies and procedures for tracking and intervention to raise attainment. Central to this work was reshaping culture, developing staff, and ensuring accountability at all levels. Through collaborative workshops with senior leaders, middle leaders, governors, and staff, a shared vision was built and embedded into a three-year School Development Plan. A tailored in-house CPD programme supported staff to grow confidence in data use, coaching, and leadership skills, while ensuring workload and wellbeing remained priorities. This strategic, inclusive approach not only improved pupil outcomes year-on-year but also created a sustainable culture of collaboration, capacity building, and professional growth.

Registration:
RSVP via the AoEA Hub – CLICK HERE TO RSVP
If you are not a member of the AoEA, get in touch with us at info@aoea.co.uk to learn more about EduKITs and becoming a member of the AoEA.

Coaching 4: ‘Culture eats strategy for breakfast’ (Peter Drucker)
2026-03-26 09:00 - 12:30 | Online
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This half-day course is for those wishing to develop a coaching approach to their work. It is suitable for those with a leadership role in schools, advisory services, local authorities, Multi-Academy Trusts or with an HR function in a related industry. Building on the introductory course offered earlier in the year, this session will consider the impact of coaching on individuals, the teams they lead and the outcomes that might be expected.
Rooted in experience and based on current research in education and business, the session will provide insight, practical demonstration and collaborative opportunity to experience and learn about coaching.
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Coaching 5: Introducing a Coaching System
2026-04-23 09:00 - 12:30 | Online
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This final session will look at learning to date; best practice locally and nationally; your responses to specified learning, reading and practice; and seek to simplify the task of introducing a coaching and change management system.
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Briefing Session: IQSEA April 2026
2026-04-23 16:00 - 17:00 | Microsoft Teams

Ninth Connecting Educators Summit
2026-04-30 | Radisson Blu Hotel, Manchester Airport, Chicago Ave, Manchester, M90 3RA, United Kingdom
29–30 April 2026 | Radisson Blu Hotel, Manchester Airport
Click here to book via AoEA Hub
The AoEA is delighted to announce the Ninth Connecting Educators Summit, taking place on 29–30 April 2026 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Manchester Airport.
This annual summit is a highlight of the AoEA calendar, bringing together education advisers, leaders, and practitioners to connect, reflect, and exchange knowledge. Within our one day programme, attendees will engage in keynote sessions, thought-provoking panels, and collaborative discussions focused on raising the quality of education advice.
As in previous years, the programme includes a pre-conference dinner, offering an opportunity to strengthen professional connections in an informal and collegial environment.
Prices for 2026:

BB, Dinner & Day Ticket: £350 (members) | £375 (non-members)
Dinner & Day Ticket: £200 (members) | £225 (non-members)
Day Ticket Only: £125 (members) | £150 (non-members)

To book your place, including tickets, dinner, and hotel accommodation, please visit the AoEA Hub.
Click here to book via AoEA Hub

EduKIT: System Leadership and Professional Learning: A Model of Effective Practice
2026-05-19 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
This EduKIT will describe how, within the framework of the Association of Education Advisers’ (AoEA) Accreditation programme, Northern Ireland is growing a high-quality system-wide advisory community across its educational partners and school leaders.

Registration:
RSVP via the AoEA Hub – CLICK HERE TO RSVP
If you are not a member of the AoEA, get in touch with us at info@aoea.co.uk to learn more about EduKITs and becoming a member of the AoEA.

Effective Governance for School Improvement
2026-05-20 09:00 - 2026-05-21 15:00 | Private: Seamus Heaney Homeplace, 45 Main Street, Bellaghy, BT45 8HT
This full-day session will step through the characteristics of effective and accountable governance. It will cover in detail:
• the role of governors,
• the people, systems and structures which support governance, and
• how to evaluate governance of and for improvement.
Please choose one date.

THIS EVENT IS FOR EANI COLLEAGUES ONLY

Working in Concert with a Senior Leadership Team
2026-06-04 09:00 - 12:30 | Online
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
This module will focus on how role of the adviser interacts with that of the Senior Leadership Team and is influenced by the context and drivers for that work. It will explore how advisers can analyse how SLT functions and consider implications for improvement journey. It will further explore the significance of agreed and co constructed milestones and building in sustainable self improvement.
The participant will:
1) Understand how to use facilitating leadership skills without compromising the roles and responsibilities of Senior Leaders and Governors/Trustees, and why it matters.
2) How the adviser applies situational leadership theory and skills to match the urgency and complexity of the improvement context, drawing upon relevant examples.
3) How advisers support and challenge so that school improvement is evident and sustained.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

TransformED NI Accreditation Celebratory Event
2026-06-12 09:00 - 12:00 | Island Civic Centre, Lisburn, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4
This will be a morning event marking the achievements of the TransformED NI cohort. We will celebrate also the contribution of some of this region’s AoEA Associates to the AoEA book series on school and system improvement.

THIS EVENT IS FOR EANI COLLEAGUES ONLY

EduKIT: Equity in Action: Transforming School Systems for Every Student
2026-06-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
Discover how E.O. Smith High School transformed equity from a guiding principle into everyday practice. Despite strong academic results, disparities persisted in course access, belonging, and participation among marginalised students. Headteacher Lou DeLoreto shares how strategic planning, data-informed leadership and courageous conversations dismantled barriers to access, belonging and achievement. This session offers practical insights for senior leaders seeking to embed equity across systems, sustain improvement through challenge, and ensure every learner benefits from an inclusive and high-performing school culture.

Registration:
RSVP via the AoEA Hub – CLICK HERE TO RSVP
If you are not a member of the AoEA, get in touch with us at info@aoea.co.uk to learn more about EduKITs and becoming a member of the AoEA.

Briefing Session: IQSEA June 2026
2026-06-25 16:00 - 17:00 | Microsoft Teams

Briefing Session: IQSEA July 2026
2026-07-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Microsoft Teams
