IncludEd 2025: Full Schedule

IncludEd 2025 promises high quality professional development aimed at building inclusive schools and improving outcomes for ALL students.

If you’re looking for a blend of research, practical expertise, and lived experience, while networking with a like-minded community of practitioners, you’ve come to the right place.

You can see details of this year’s IncludEd 2025 sessions and speakers below.

For more information about IncludEd, or if you don’t yet have a ticket, you can buy one HERE
Find out more about The Difference HERE

We look forward to seeing you on January 11th!

Add sessions to your personal schedule to register your attendance (Check-In).

2:20pm GMT

Battling perverse incentives: How do we change policy to make schools more inclusive? (Panel Discussion)

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT

Logan Hall

How can we reshape policies that inadvertently discourage inclusion in schools?

This panel discussion brings together education leaders and changemakers, including Kiran Gill (CEO & Founder of The Difference), Patrick Cozier (Headteacher, Highgate Wood), Tom Rees (CEO, Ormiston Academy Trust), and Jonny Uttley (CEO, TEAL Trust). Together, they will explore how policy frameworks impact school behaviour, from accountability measures to funding structures, and discuss practical ways to remove perverse incentives.

Speakers

Patrick Cozier

Headteacher, Highgate Wood School

Patrick Cozier is a successful and experienced secondary school leader. He has been a Headteacher of a large comprehensive school (over 1500 students) for the last 17 years. He has also been the chair of the Haringey Secondary Heads Forum for the last 9 years. In the last five years... Read More →

Kiran Gill

CEO, The Difference

Kiran began her career in inner-city London, as an English teacher in schools serving the most deprived postcodes in the country. After five years on the frontline, Kiran left to work in education policy, searching for solutions to the rising number of children who fall through the... Read More →

Jonny Uttley

CEO, The Education Alliance Multi-Academy Trust (TEAL)

Jonny Uttley is the CEO of The Education Alliance Multi-Academy Trust (TEAL). He has been in post since April 2018, having previously been head teacher at South Hunsley School. TEAL is a trust of twelve schools, in East Yorkshire, Hull and York, serving over 7,000 students, and a... Read More →

Tom Rees

CEO, Ormniston Academies Trust

Tom is chief executive of Ormiston Academies Trust, one of England’s most established school trusts which serves over 35,000 children in 44 schools across the country, including special, alternative provision, primary and secondary. He has 25 years of experience working in education... Read More →

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT
Logan Hall Institute of Education, UCL, 20 Bedford Way, WC1H 0AL

Round Three Session

2:20pm GMT

Creating safe, relational spaces: cost-effective solutions for vulnerable student success

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT

C3.13

Football Beyond Borders works with 3,000 young people in London, the North West and the West Midlands every week, with their work focused on engaging the most vulnerable students. Join them for a session exploring how relational practices can enhance school cultures and improve outcomes for vulnerable students. Drawing on FBB’s approach to training and development, this workshop will showcase live case studies of their impact in schools across the UK, highlighting the power of relational cultures in boosting engagement, mental well-being, and student-staff relationships. Targeting headteachers and senior leaders, this session will offer practical solutions for schools aiming to build relational cultures, strengthen staff development, and improve outcomes for young people, while making savings too.

Speakers

Jack Reynolds

Chief Executive / Co-Founder, Football Beyond Borders

Jack is co- founder of Football Beyond Borders (FBB) and Chief Exec. FBB is non-profit that works with young people from areas of socio-economic disadvantage who are passionate about football but disengaged at school, using the beautiful game as a means to empower and inspire their... Read More →

Amani Carr

Lead Preactioner /Curriculum Lead, Football Beyond Borders

Amani is a Lead practitioner and programme design lead at FBB , Amani has years of experience working both in the charity sector and secondary schools to improve the lives of our most vulnerable young people. Not only is Amani an experienced youth worker he is also a talented musician... Read More →

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT
C3.13 Institute of Education, UCL, 20 Bedford Way, WC1H 0AL

Round Three Session

2:20pm GMT

How do we best engage parents to improve belonging?

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT

C3.12

The evidence base is strengthening that parental engagement is key to fostering a sense of belonging and reducing pupil absence.

This session brings together insights from primary, secondary, and Alternative Provision (AP) settings, showcasing impactful strategies to build strong school-parent partnerships. With case studies from Invicta Primary School, Tunmarsh School, and the collaborative work between Women’s Inclusive Team’s parent liaison practitioners and Morpeth School, the discussion will highlight practical approaches to enhance communication, trust, and collaboration with families.

Join us to explore proven methods that empower parents, strengthen connections, and create inclusive school communities where every child feels they belong.

Speakers

Jodie Cawte

Executive Headteacher, Invicta Primary School

I am proud to be the Executive Headteacher of Invicta, a happy and vibrant 2 site primary school which celebrates the diversity of its community. I work with a dedicated and talented team to provide a friendly, caring and inclusive learning environment where our children can feel... Read More →

Ilham Yusuf

Somali Parent Liaison Officer, Women’s Inclusive Team / Morpeth School

Ilham Yusuf is a Somali Parent Liaison Officer working at the Women’s Inclusive Team in Tower Hamlets. Based at Morpeth School, she aims to bridge the gap between the school and Somali parents. She collaborates with Morpeth and other schools in the borough to advocate for equality... Read More →

Terry Grego

Deputy Headteacher, Tunmarsh School

Terry is Deputy headteacher of Newham PRUs, and a former Difference Leader.

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT
C3.12 Institute of Education, UCL, 20 Bedford Way, WC1H 0AL

Round Three Session

2:20pm GMT

Inclusive Allyship

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT

C3.11

We support all stakeholders in schools and trusts, in developing their consciousness, confidence and competence in standing up, speaking out and showing solidarity for people who hold different identities to their own. We will create a safe space for you to explore your identity, power and privilege. We will create a brave space for you to consider how you can leverage your privilege and expand your sphere of influence.

- Reflecting on the journey of an ally
- Unpacking and navigating our privilege
- Exploring our willingness to be vulnerable
- Sharing how we can learn from making mistakes
- Considering how we create and hold safe spaces
- Navigating our strong emotions
- Challenging language, behaviours and practices that are not inclusive.

Speakers

Hannah Wilson

Co-Founder and Director, Diverse Educators

Hannah is the Co-Founder and Director of #DiverseEd and works full time as an independent leadership development consultant, coach and trainer with a specialism in DEI. She grows their community, organises their events and designs/ delivers their training offer. She is a former Executive... Read More →

Adrian McLean

Director of Education + #DiverseEd Associate, Severn Academies Educational Trust

Adrian McLean is an associate coach, consultant and trainer. He is a former Headteacher and a current trust lead for character and personal development.

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT
C3.11 Institute of Education, UCL, 20 Bedford Way, WC1H 0AL

Round Three Session

2:20pm GMT

Principles for Inclusive Leadership

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT

C3.15

The Difference has three principles of whole-school inclusion

All children have learning, wellbeing and safeguarding needs
Relationships are integral to learning
Leading systems and practice change is key to whole school inclusion

5 current Difference Leaders working across mainstream and alternative provision settings discuss their principles for inclusive leadership, and examples of how they tackle these through people, policy and practice.

Speakers

Jayde Sarrington

Difference Leader

Jayde is an associate senior leader at ACE Luton, and a Difference Leader from Cohort 5 of the Difference Leadership Programme.

Ben Taylor

Difference Leader

Dan Dudson

Difference Leader

Secondary Head of Year, Kettering Science Academy/Brooke Weston Trust. Difference Leader Cohort 5.

Anthony O'Brien

Difference Leader

Anthony O’Brien is an Assistant Head Teacher with responsibility for Induction, Reintegration and Outreach at a London based PRU. He has spent the last year developing guidance papers in a wide range of areas to help improve practice across the borough in which he works, most notably... Read More →

Stuart Walker

Difference Leader

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT
C3.15 Institute of Education, UCL, 20 Bedford Way, WC1H 0AL

Round Three Session

2:20pm GMT

The three phases of introducing a successful Internal Alternative provision

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT

Drama Hall

This session outlines the three key phases of introducing a successful Internal Alternative Provision, from experiences at Co-op Academy Grange. This session will be particularly useful for school leaders and Alternative Provision staff.

Speakers

Shazad Ali

Lead for Alternative Provisions, Coop Academy Grange

Shazad Ali is a dedicated education professional with a proven track record in establishing and managing alternative provisions (AP) within schools. Over the past four years, he has successfully set up three internal APs across two schools, demonstrating his expertise in creating... Read More →

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT
Drama Hall Institute of Education, UCL, 20 Bedford Way, WC1H 0AL

Round Three Session

2:20pm GMT

What helps and what hinders: How schools can support the Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities to engage and thrive (Panel Discussion)

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT

C3.09

How can schools better support Romani (Gypsy), Roma, and Irish Traveller (GRT) pupils to engage and succeed in education?

This panel discussion features insights from Traveller organisations and individuals with lived experience, offering practical guidance on creating inclusive school environments.

Participants will share strategies for empowering GRT children and young people, as well as highlight common pitfalls to avoid when working with these communities. Join to further understanding, build trust, and create opportunities for GRT pupils to thrive in education and beyond.

Speakers

Chelsea McDonagh

Senior Researcher and Co-founder, Rom Belong, Kings College London

Chelsea McDonagh is an Irish Traveller, Senior Researcher and writer. She is one of the co-creators of the Rom Belong Widening Participation Programme at King’s College London and continues to offer training and consultancy for community organisations, universities, and local authorities... Read More →

Grace Preston

Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer, The Traveller Movement

Grace Preston is the Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer at the Traveller Movement (TM). She works mainly on TM's criminal justice and education policy work, where she advocates for the rights and needs of Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities. With a background in social... Read More →

Esther Stubbs

Associate Lecturer, GTRSB into Higher Education Pledge Lead

Rebecca McWherter

Research Associate, ROMLIT - University of East Anglia

Cristín O'Brien

Senior Policy Advisor, The Difference

Cristín began her career as a Community Worker and Social Worker serving the Irish Traveller community in Dublin. She then completed a Diploma in Law before moving to London to complete her Master’s degree in Human Rights and Politics at LSE. Upon graduation, she joined Ofsted... Read More →

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT
C3.09 Institute of Education, UCL, 20 Bedford Way, WC1H 0AL

Round Three Session

2:20pm GMT

What's so special about special educational needs? Towards a more inclusive approach

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT

Elvin Hall

Despite the efforts of many brilliant practitioners and families, the national "SEND system" is not working and needs urgent and fundamental reform. In this session, Ben Bryant from Isos Partnership will talk about his recent report that looks at the scale of the challenges in the "SEND system", the root causes of those challenges, and what is needed to build a new, more inclusive and holistic approach. This session will be of interest to anyone who wants to see reform of the current "SEND system" and wants to join the debate about how to make that happen.

Speakers

Ben Bryant

Director of Isos Partnership, Isos Partnership

Ben Bryant is a Director of the independent research and advisory organisation, Isos Partnership. Ben specialises in developing approaches to support young people with additional needs. He has undertaken high-profile national research on inclusion, exclusions, AP, additional needs... Read More →

Saturday January 11, 2025 2:20pm - 3:00pm GMT
Elvin Hall Institute of Education, UCL, 20 Bedford Way, WC1H 0AL

Round Three Session

IncludEd 2025

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