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National Conference for Directors of Sport in Independent Schools – 2–3 March 2023 at Oxford

National Conference for Directors of Sport in Independent Schools

Leading into the Future

7–8 March 2024 at Leonardo Royal Hotel, Oxford

Book online

Please note, all bookings are handled through our partner ICE Education.

The most important thing a school can achieve in sport is a culture of enthusiastic participation. Intrinsic motivation to be involved in activity, whether in team games or health-promoting exercise is at the heart of this. The greatest achievement for Directors of Sport in any school is to establish an environment in which all children want to participate and in which normal behaviour it to be committed to being regularly active. These are the themes of PADSIS 2024: leading a culture in which sport and exercise are valued within schools, by students, staff and parents.

We are pleased to welcome James Kerr, author of the seminal culture book, “Legacy”, and also Dr Daniel Leiberman, who makes the trip from Harvard University exclusively for this event. His recent book, ”Exercised: the Science of Physical Activity, Rest and Health” provides a unique perspective on the value and promotion of physical activity in a sedentary society.

There is a very wide range of additional material, with a bigger selection of optional seminars than ever before. The aim is to enable delegates from all types of schools to find contemporary content relevant to their current challenges, and to enable them to stay abreast in developments in both sector trends and resourcing. The Thursday programme has been extended to enable this, whilst maintaining the Forum as an important Conference focus. The Forum continues to enjoy the support of the Sports Committees of both HMC and GSA. As last year, we will conduct sector research before the event, and present the results in the forum to enable delegates to understand what is happening across the sector. 

The venue will once again be the Leonardo Hotel (formerly Jury’s Inn) in Oxford, which has been the home of the Conference for over ten years. We believe that the advantages of familiarity continue to outweigh the restriction to an attendance of 250. What this means, however, is that demand is likely to exceed the limit on delegate numbers, dinner guests and accommodation, as it did last year. Early booking is therefore encouraged, particularly for those delegates wishing to attend the full event on a residential basis. 

The PADSIS Conference is the biggest gathering of Directors of Sport in Independent Schools anywhere in the world. In addition to the formal content, it continues to provide opportunity to connect, network and socialise with like-minded professionals in a convivial environment. Once again, we look forward to seeing you there.

Programme

Thursday 7 March

12.30pm

Arrivals/Refreshments

Please note that check in to rooms is not available until 3pm

1pm

Discussion Forum:
Issues in Contemporary School Sport 

2pm

Specialist Forums
Choose one of the following:
  1. Girls’ Schools
  2. Small Schools (approx. 500 pupils or fewer)
  3. Boarding Schools
  4. Co-educational day schools
  5. High Performing Sports schools

2.45pm

Refreshment break

3.15pm

Leading a Culture of Success
James Kerr

4.25pm

Sector Information Updates – Session Two
Leading suppliers provide an understanding of contemporary developments and trends in their field. Choose one of the following:
  1. The Video Analysis Revolution
    VEO Technology
  2. Understanding the kit Industry
    Limitless
  3. New Possibilities in Developing Outdoor Sports Facilities
    S & C Slatter
  4. Revolutionary Instrumented Mouth Guards
    OPRO
  5. Velocity-Based Weight Training
    Output Sports

4.25pm

Sector Information Updates – Session One
Leading suppliers provide an understanding of contemporary developments and trends in their field. Choose one of the following:
  1. Getting More out of SOCS
    James Kershaw-Naylor, SOCS
  2. The New Sports Touring Landscape
    Travelopia
  3. Contemporary Concussion Management
    Return2Play
  4. The Modern School Fitness Gym
    Perform Better
  5. Leadership in Sport
    Sam Warburton OBE

7.00pm

Pre-Dinner Drinks

8.00pm

Conference Dinner

Friday 8 March

9.30am

Conference assembles, refreshments

10.00am

Introduction: The Landscape of School Sport
Neil Rollings, PADSIS Chairman

10.30am

Building a Performance Culture in a School
Crista Cullen MBE

11.15am 

Refreshment break

11.45am

Exercised: A Fresh Perspective on Physical Activity and Health
Dr Daniel Leiberman

12.45pm

Lunch

1.45pm

Seminar Programme One
Choose one of the following sessions:
  1. Establishing Sports Culture: A Case Study from Millfield 
    Dr Scott Drawer
  2. The RFU Review on the Future of School Rugby
    Tony Jackson
  3. Winning Parental Engagement in School Sport
    Gordon Maclelland
  4. Challenging the Status Quo
    Dr Emma Ross, The Well HQ
  5. Modernising PE: New Approaches to Health and Exercise 
    Asha Riley
  6. A Supportive Team Culture in Female Sport 
    Tamsin Greenway

2.45pm

Seminar Programme Two
Choose one of the following sessions:
  1. Staffing the Programme and Managing Heads of Sport
    Neil Rollings
  2. Preparing for ISI Inspection of Sport
    John Cox
  3. Building a Positive Parent Culture
    Gordon Maclelland
  4. Practical Strategies for Developing Injury Resilience in Girls Sport
    Dr Emma Ross
  5. Engaging Reluctant Exercisers 
    Asha Riley
  6. Supporting High Performance Female Athletes 
    Tamsin Greenway

3.30pm

Conference closes

Price

Friday Conference Only

PADSIS Members £279
Non Members £319
Two Delegates from the same school £499

Thursday and Friday Full Conference

Includes Conference, Conference Dinner, Bed and Breakfast in single rooms

PADSIS Members £429
Non Members £479
Two Delegates from the same school (to include one PADSIS Member) £729

PADSIS Members (no accommodation) £359
Non Members (no accommodation) £399
Two Delegates from the same school (no accommodation, to include one PADSIS Member) £629

PADSIS Membership £99 (Join PADSIS when booking to enjoy member’s discount)

Call to discuss rates not listed, or additional requirements. All prices include resources, refreshments, lunch on Friday and merchandise.

Prices exclude VAT.

Book online

Please note, all bookings are handled through our partner ICE Education.

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