The hidden curriculum: executive function, learner agency and secondary success — Dr. James Mannion and Melissa Farnham

Dr. James Mannion is a teacher trainer, government advisor and author with a passion for educational reform. He is the co-founder and Director of Rethinking Education, a teacher training organisation specialising in implementation and improvement science, self-regulated learning and practitioner inquiry, and the author of Making Change Stick: A Practical Guide to Implementing School Improvement. A former teacher and school leader, James co-hosts the popular Rethinking Education podcast, which has had almost a million downloads to date.

Melissa Farnham is Chief Executive of ASDAN and has more than 25 years’ experience across the UK education landscape. Prior to joining ASDAN, she held leadership roles within education and charitable providers, alongside governance and advisory roles across local authorities and the non-maintained and independent sector. Melissa has worked with NGOs, devolved funding commissioners, government leaders and policy groups, and has contributed to policy consultations, governmental workshops, Green Paper development and advisory groups. Her experience spans inclusion, reasonable adjustments, access to assessment, organisational change and partnership development. She is passionate about shaping inclusive education systems that engage learners, elevate aspirations and empower young people to open doors to their futures.