Association of Education Advisers

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 (Europe/London) | 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

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
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

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

North East Network Conference
2027-01-14 09:00 - 15:30
For senior leaders in the North East, showcasing school improvement practice and facilitating conversations with peers.
THIS EVENT IS FOR COLLEAGUES IN THE NORTH EAST MAYORAL STRATEGIC AUTHORITY AREA ONLY
The conference will bring together leaders and partners from across the North East to:

respond to shared regional priorities;
strengthen collaboration and partnerships;
showcase quality-assured practice and lived experience;
move from discussion to practical action;
create a shared sense of purpose across the region

Delegates will leave with:

practical strategies that can be implemented immediately;
stronger relationships and partnerships;
increased awareness of expertise across the region;
examples of effective and quality-assured practice;
renewed hope and shared purpose

AGENDA

9.00
Registration and Networking

9.15
Togetherness into the Future
Mick Waters, Independent Education Consultant and Policy Expert

10.00
Panel: Inclusion, Belonging, and Communities: Listening to Unheard Voices
Exploring: inclusion as a whole-system approach attendance and belonging; vulnerable children and families; voices that are often absent from decision-making.

11.00
Refreshments and Networking

11.30
Keynote: Staying Grounded in Uncertain Times
Examples from psychology, coaching and leadership practice

12.15
Lunch and Networking

13.00
Interactive Workshop Session: Practical Tools for Change
Delegates will explore: Kotter’s change framework; reflective questions; practical tools and approaches; examples from schools and organisations

14.00
Panel: Self-Efficacy and Our Story
Including perspectives from children, parents, early career teachers, teaching assistants and experienced educators

14.45
Closing Reflection: Writing Chapter Two
Richard O’Neill MBE, Founder of Richard O’Neill Storytelling
