9:00am: Registration and Arrivals 

Arrive early, connect over coffee, and get ready for a day of bold ideas and collaboration. 

9:45am: Morning Session 

9:45am: Opening Plenary: Systems Change
Hear from inspiring leaders and young performers as we set the tone for an energising and imaginative day. Speakers include Dr Vanessa Ogden CBE (Chair, Fair Education Alliance), Gina Cicerone and Sam Butters (Co-CEOs, Fair Education Alliance).

10:45am: Inside Out: Shifting Mindsets to Shift the System 
Explore how real change begins within. Through thought-provoking discussions and interactive sessions, we’ll examine how to challenge assumptions, reimagine education, and take the first steps towards lasting systems change.  

Panel and Q&A including Anna McShane (New Britain), Kiran Mahil (Central Foundation Girls’ School), Kwajo Tweneboa (Author and Campaigner), Natsayi Sithole (Renaisi) and Sophie Pender (93% Club).

11:30am: Refreshments

11:50am: Breakouts: Shifting individual and public mindsets

12:50 – 1:50: Lunch and Networking 

Refuel, connect and share reflections with fellow changemakers. 

1:50pm: Afternoon Session 

1:50pm: Power to the People: Driving Place-Based Change 
Discover how local leadership can drive national impact. We’ll reveal our new Collaboration Partnerships with Combined Authorities and hear from leaders at the forefront of place-based change. 

Featuring a poem by Subhan from our Youth Steering Group, a keynote by Sarah Smith MP, and the launch of our place-based collaborations, including the announcement of the Mayoral Combined Authorities selected as Collaboration Partners.

A panel discussion will follow, with contributions from Sarah Smith MP and representatives from Mayoral Combined Authorities.

3:15pm: Breakouts: From Neighbourhood to National
Join focused sessions bringing together grassroots practitioners, regional leaders and national policy changemakers from across the Alliance to explore the FEA’s three priority themes — Early Childhood, Jobs for Tomorrow and Literacy. The Literacy session will include a special launch for the National Year of Reading 2026. 

Panellists include David Hayman (National Year of Reading), Farzana Hussain (Teesville School), Elaine Fulton (Common Outcomes) and Barry Fletcher (Youth Futures Foundation).

4:30pm: Closing Plenary: Taking action together
We reflect on the day’s insights, celebrate collective progress, and look ahead to the action that follows, inspired by a keynote from Stephen Twigg (Commonwealth Parliamentary Association). 

5:00pm: Drinks Reception 

Wrap up the day in a festive setting and continue the conversations.