Whole Education and Schools of Tomorrow are delighted to be collaborating once again for our spring conference on 5th March 2026 at 20 Cavendish Square in London. Following the success of last year’s event, this year we turn our attention to one of the most pressing issues facing schools today: attendance. We will explore how we move beyond surface-level engagement to create environments where young people want to learn, participate and thrive.
With sessions from Rylie Sweeney, Professor Robin Dunbar, Hywel Roberts, and Richard Gerver, with more to be announced, this conference will explore, understand, and challenge our thinking about what it takes to build schools where attendance isn’t monitored through crisis management, but driven by connection, curiosity and a deep sense of belonging.
During our day together we will:
Deepen our understanding of the factors driving attendance and persistent absence, and the role that relationships, belonging and social connection play in young people’s willingness to engage.
Explore practical approaches by which schools and trusts can strengthen motivation, build meaningful engagement, and create learning environments where students feel seen, supported and excited to show up.
Reflect on our own contexts, examining the strengths and opportunities within our schools, trusts or roles, individually and collectively, to support sustainable cultural change around attendance and inclusion.
Develop our thinking about next steps, considering what actions we must take as leaders, practitioners and system-shapers to build schools where every young person can thrive socially, emotionally and academically.
Book your tickets
Places for this conference are included as part of our School Membership and Headteacher Membership. If you are involved in one of your programmes or have an Individual Membership, you can take advantage of a 50% discount. Please get in touch with your Whole Education contact to find out more.
This event is accessible to anyone interested in delivering a holistic education or who has an interest in attendance and engagement within schools and trusts. Places are available for £250.
If you’re not yet a member, you may be interested in our Individual Membership (£100), which gives you a member ticket price of £125 (a £25 saving on the full conference fee), along with access to the wider opportunities across the network. Individual Membership is open to anyone with an interest or involvement in education who is not currently a school headteacher or trust leader.
Confirmed speakers
Rylie Sweeney is a strategic advisor on youth and education policy, helping organisations and public bodies embed youth voice as a driver of meaningful change. She champions inclusive education and works to ensure young people shape decisions that affect them.
Robin Dunbar MA PhD DSc(Hon) FRAI FBA is Emeritus Professor of Evolutionary Psychology at Oxford and a Fellow of the British Academy. He is best known for Dunbar’s Number, the social brain hypothesis, and his work on the evolution of social relationships.
Richard Gerver is a leading expert on change and human leadership, described by Sir Ken Robinson as “one of the clearest and most passionate voices for radical change in education and business.” He is the author of four acclaimed books and a sought-after international speaker.
Hywel Roberts is an experienced teacher, writer, and speaker, specialising in Drama approaches and storytelling in classrooms. His books include Oops! Getting Children to Learn Accidentally and Botheredness, and he is known for inspiring audiences with humour and creativity.
