When systems do not talk to each other, tasks get duplicated and planning happens in silos, it lands on school business teams first. This 30-minute optional session is about practical moves you can make straight away to reduce operational drag, tighten workflows and create space for the strategic work only you can do. We will use Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats as a simple framework to pressure-test decisions, improve delegation and make better use of the skills already in your team.

Key takeaways:

· Ways to avoid duplication

· Simple delegation rules

· Decision-making structures

Online commentary, social media escalation and misinformation can damage a reputation in minutes. This session looks at the risks schools and trusts are facing, drawing on real cases of defamation, false allegations and reputational harm. We look at what happens when an issue goes public fast. Gain insight into reputation and legal protection, the legal and practical options available and what duty of care should look like when a situation escalates publicly. Led by Education Mutual, this is a practical guide to protecting your people.

Key takeaways:

· Legal basics overview

· Your response checklist

· Prevention step structures

Schools and trusts often rely on the dedication, problem solving and multi-tasking super powers of their teams, and their willingness to step in and get things done. But too much yes can quietly drain capacity. Boundaries aren’t barriers; they’re foundations for sustainability. This session discusses how to push back professionally without damaging relationships or standards. We explore what a constructive no sounds like, how to manage expectations and how to recognise when saying yes will cause more problems than it solves. This is a session for leaders who want clearer boundaries, sharper prioritisation and a NO that lands well when it matters.

Key takeaways:

· Tools to manage expectations

· Confidence to prioritise

· Techniques to protect capacity

Whether you already have a Climate Action Plan in place, or are just at the start of your journey, this session looks to support you in actively delivering your plan in a meaningful and manageable way. Grounded in real school experience, this session will help you move from ambition to action, without adding unnecessary workload or cost.

Key takeaways:

· Practical real-life examples

· Confidence with compliance

· Prioritising action points

Finance teams in schools and trusts face mounting pressure - the need for efficiency has never been greater. AI and cloud-based systems are transforming how trusts manage finance, taking away repetitive manual tasks, reducing risk of error and opening up new possibilities for real-time visibility. This session explores how smarter finance systems can do more than simply balance the books. They can support leaders to plan with confidence and make decisions that strengthen day-to-day operations and long-term strategy.

Key takeaways:

· Financial futureproofing systems

· Understanding of automation

· Practical efficiency tools

For many schools and trusts, catering is the second largest expense after staffing, yet significant efficiencies often sit undiscovered in the kitchen. Leaders need models that protect quality while reducing cost and complexity. This session lifts the lid on where hidden savings can be found and how a strategic shift in catering provision can reduce waste, ease staffing demands and meet nutritional standards. We explore how the right catering model can enhance financial resilience, support inclusion and improve the dining experience.

Key takeaways:

· Insight into hidden costs

· Practical efficiency tips

· Strategic view of catering

Martyn's Law now expects every school, academy and trust to have clear, tested procedures in place. In other words, every setting needs a security plan that works in real life. Led by security specialist Shane, this session cuts through the noise and shows you what proportionate, modern lockdown planning looks like in 2026. We cover the practical steps that help you stay compliant, calm and ready, whether you're the person writing the plan or the senior leader responsible for making sure it happens across multiple sites.

Key takeaways:

· Step-step lockdown checklist

· Low-impact drill model

· Clear staff messaging

Subject access requests (SARs) can be time-consuming and complex. Increasingly, schools and trusts are also seeing SARs used in strategic or contentious ways linked to complaints or disputes, which increases both workload and risk for school and trust leaders. In this session, Shane draws on extensive experience supporting schools with SARs and data protection processes. He'll share insights into what's working on the ground, what's changed in recent legislation (including new ICO guidance and cooling-off periods), and how you can develop school-friendly procedures that protect your team, your pupils and your time.

Key takeaways:

· A clear SAR triage

· Stronger audit trails

· Practical tools for review

Both governors in maintained schools and trustees in MATs are expected to focus on strategic priorities, risk and long-term impact, but many boards struggle to hold that line in practice. This session explores effective governance, how to keep conversations anchored in strategic intent rather than operational detail, and how to shape reporting that supports better decisions. You'll also look at the nuances between governing bodies and trustee boards, and how to work with volunteer members confidently and constructively.

Key takeaways:

· Board agenda boundaries

· Language and framing

· Decision making structures

Across schools and MATs, rising costs and growing demands mean doing more with less. In this regard, Operational Excellence (OpEx) isn't a buzzword, it is a proven approach for streamlining non-teaching processes, reducing waste and protecting capacity so your school or trust can stay focused on its mission. Drawing on the latest ISBL research, this session shows how OpEx can deliver real efficiency gains and smarter resource deployment. We translate the theory into everyday contexts - from single school application, small and large trusts - and demonstrate how OpEx builds strong, sustainable operations that support educational priorities.

Key takeaways:

· Practical process framework

· Continuous improvement tools

· Insight in OpEx Research

As a school business leader you hold insight, experience and expertise that deserves strategic recognition. This session is about stepping into that space fully: building confidence, honing communication and making sure your voice is heard as a driver of decisions. We'll look at how to frame complex school business issues - from finance to operations - as clear, persuasive propositions. We'll explore how to navigate meetings, manage dynamics with heads or trustees and assert yourself as a strategic partner rather than a support function. The goal is to help you move from behind the scenes support to visible, respected leadership.

Key takeaways:

· Communicate with confidence

· Use of body language

· Influencing without conflict

ICFP is one of the most effective tools for managing rising costs and staffing pressures. With staff making up around 80 percent of school spend, even small shifts in deployment can make a significant difference. This session shows how integrated curriculum and financial planning can improve curriculum design, strengthen staffing decisions and support long term sustainability. It focuses on practical, proactive ways to use ICFP so you can deliver value for money without compromising the offer for pupils.

Key takeaways:

· A clear understanding of ICFP

· Practical steps to model

· Using ICFP for scenario planning