PADSIS Conference 2027

National Conference for Directors of Sport in Independent Schools

Thursday, 4 March 2027 to Friday, 5 March 2027

Leonardo Royal Hotel, Oxford

Headline sponsor
Limitless Sports Kit
Book online Please note bookings are handled by our partner ICE Education – you will be redirected to their online bookings platform
Welcome

Welcome to the annual PADSIS Directors of Sport Conference on 4 and 5 March 2027.

As the country’s largest gathering of Directors of Sport, this conference is the leading event of its kind, and an opportunity to update knowledge, benchmark against industry norms and network with like-minded professionals. Last year’s feedback affirmed the value of this event, especially in providing the opportunity to connect with peers, share experiences and return to school with fresh ideas and renewed energy.

This year’s programme brings together sector-wide discussion and practical learning. It will focus on the future of school sport, including reviewing the results of the annual survey. There will be sessions on building resilient programmes, inclusion, athlete wellbeing, Physical Education, women’s sport, leadership and the use of AI in sport. As usual, there will be a choice of breakout sessions, enabling delegates to focus on the areas relevant to their circumstances and interests.  Thursday evening’s conference dinner will offer further opportunities to exchange ideas and make new connections.

Regular delegates, and first time attendees will be warmly welcomed into the Director of Sport community. This is an environment of learning, sharing, addressing common challenges and shaping the conversation about the future of school sport.

Programme

Thursday 4 March

9.00am

Optional Padel Session

with S&C Slatter
11.00am
Registration, Networking & PADSIS Hubs

Registration Open, Coffee Available in the Oriel Suite, 
Partner Exhibitions Open
12.30pm
Welcome to Conference: Whole Sector Issues, Presentation of Annual Survey Findings and Discussion
Chris Dossett
Chair of PADSIS
1.00pm

Lunch in The Oriel Suite
1.45pm
Raising Awareness of Cardiac Risk and Screening Young People
Dr James Cockburn
Consultant Cardiologist and Young Heart Project
2.00pm
Building High Performance Environments
Jeremy Holt
TRIBE
2.45pm
Committed to Choice: The Inclusive Sportswear Movement from Team GB to School Sport
Tess Howard
GB Hockey, Founder of Inclusive Sportswear
3.00pm
The Future of School Sport: What are the biggest opportunities and challenges facing our type of school over the next three years?

Delegates choose one of the following:

IAPS
Jonathan Turner & Christina Chesworth
GSA
Sarah Rollings
Head, St Helen & St Katharine
HMC Schools
Kevin Knibbs
Head, Hampton School
4.00pm

Refreshment break
4.15pm
Breakout Session One

Delegates choose one of the following:

Resilience by Design: Building Stronger Sports Programmes 
Rick Cooper

How schools build sports programmes that stay strong through change and pressure. Practical ways to plan for resilience and create a programme that can adapt over time.

Planning a 5-10 Year Touring Programme
Edwin Doran

A practical look at planning school tours with a long-term view; setting clear aims, building a sustainable programme and managing the decisions that make a tour successful.

Making SOCS Work for Prep Schools
James Kershaw-Naylor
SOCS

A practical guide to getting more from SOCS in a Prep School setting. How the system can support the day-to-day organisation and communication of school sport.

From Red Roses to School Sport: Creating Environments Where Young Athletes Thrive
Sadia Kabeya
Red Roses, OPRO

Drawing on experience at the highest level of rugby, World Cup winner, Sadia Kabeya shares lessons for creating school environments where young athletes can develop, feel supported and enjoy their sport.

Dealing with Dissatisfaction
Sarah Rollings
Head, St Helen & St Katharine

Practical strategies for conducting conversations with unhappy parents and staff to diffuse situations, understand complaints procedures and ensure compliant record-keeping.
5.15pm
Breakout Session Two

Two Delegates choose one of the following:

Learning from a Legend: Inside Oleksandr Usyk’s Training Camp
Lewis Williams
Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist and Professional Heavyweight Boxer, PerformBetter ambassador

Lessons on mindset, preparation and standards that school sport can put into practice.

Future-Proofing Prep School Sport  
Gareth Hughes
Head, RGS The Grange

Exploring the challenges and opportunities facing schools with ideas for building programmes that can meet pupils’ changing needs.

From Camera to Insights: Using AI to unlock Individual Player Stats & Performance Analysis
Veo

How AI and match footage can help schools review performance and bring individual player insights into coaching.

Physical Education Reimagined: Fit for the Modern World
Centre for Child and Adolescent Physical Literacy’ Leeds Beckett University

How Physical Education can develop movement skills, confidence and a lasting interest in physical activity.

Managing Team Selection and Communicating with Parents
Neil Rollings

Practical ways to make selection decisions clear, communicate them well and manage the conversations that follow.
6.00pm

Conference close
7.00pm
Drinks for New Delegates

If you are new to the conference this year, you are invited to new delegate drinks in the Conference Bar.
8.00pm
Conference Dinner

Thursday 4 March

8.00am

Optional Breakfast Run

with Rosie Crampin, Veo
Please meet in the Hotel Lobby.
9.00am 
Registration, Networking & PADSIS Hubs

in the Oriel Suite
10.00am 
Leading the Future of School Sport: From Vision to Impact
Chris Dossett
Chair of PADSIS 
10.30am
Leading School Sport
Lucy Pearson
Head, Oakham School
11.15am

Refreshment break
11.45am
Character, Sport, and Flourishing: A Framework for Coaches and Coaching
Professor Andrew Peterson
Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, Birmingham University
12.30pm 

Lunch
1.30pm
Breakout Session One

Three Delegates choose one of the following sessions:

Rehabilitation and Conditioning for Young Athletes 
Carl Wells & Mitch Raynsford 
P3RFORM 

Helping athletes return to sport with resilience and confidence. How force-time profiling can help staff track recovery, shape rehabilitation and inform conditioning along the way.

The Future of Women’s Sport: What Schools Need to Know 
Professor Leanne Norman 
Executive Director Loughborough University Women’s Sport and Innovation Hub 

Exploring the developments in women’s sport that schools should understand and what they mean for pupils, programmes and opportunities to take part.

More Than an Athlete: The Power of Mentoring in School Sport 
Sam Parfitt 
The True Athlete Project 

How mentoring can support pupils’ wider development and help them navigate the demands of school sport.

Generating Non-Fee Income Through Sport 
Leanne Chandler 
Director of Operations at Denstone College 

Practical considerations for developing opportunities while supporting the school’s wider aims.

From Prep to Senior School: What Should Sport Prepare Pupils For?  
Tom Butt
Head, King’s Hawford 

What pupils need as they move on: confidence, independence, broad experience and a positive relationship with competition.

Are We Winning at the Right Things? Rethinking Success in School Sport  
Chris Dossett
Chair of PADSIS

Success in school sport should mean more than results. What programmes should value and how they can balance performance, participation and pupils’ wider development.
2.15pm

Refreshment break
2.30pm
Breakout Session Two

Delegates choose one of the following sessions: 

The Social Impact of Sports Scholarships
Chris Ekron
Playbook Ed South Africa

The wider impact of sports scholarships on pupils, school communities and access to sport.

Leading Through Change
Paul Tolley
RAF fast-jet pilot

How leaders can help teams adapt and keep improving through trust, communication and feedback in building a high-performance culture.

Using Psychological Safety to Generate Positive Staff Teams
Nia Palmer
Loughborough University

Speaking up, asking question and learning from mistakes - how leaders can build a sense of safety in their departments and teams.

Prep School Physical Education Reworked: Developing Athleticism for Life
Dr Graham Williams

How curriculum design, teaching and assessment can move beyond sport-specific models to build pupils’ movement skills, confidence and physical understanding.

AI for Directors of Sport
TBC
SOCS for Senior Schools: Maximising Impact
James Kershaw-Naylor
SOCS

Practical support for using SOCS
3.30pm

Conference closes
Booking Information

Full Conference

Includes Thursday and Friday plus Dinner and Accommodation

PADSIS Members, IAPS Members £499

Non PADSIS Members £599

Two Delegates from the same school £829
(PADSIS Members, IAPS Members)

Two Delegates from the same school £899
(Non PADSIS Members)

Thursday or Friday Only

PADSIS Members, IAPS Members £319 

Non PADSIS Members £369

Two Delegates from the same school £569 
(PADSIS Members, IAPS Members)

Two Delegates from the same school £619 
(Non PADSIS Members)

Thursday Night Dinner £70

Call to discuss rates not listed, or additional requirements. 
 

 

All prices include resources, refreshments, lunch and merchandise. Should you need to cancel a booking you have made for a particular course/conference you need to give us a minimum of 14 days' notice.

Book online Please note bookings are handled by our partner ICE Education – you will be redirected to their online bookings platform