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.
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:
-
Girls’ Schools
-
Small Schools (approx. 500 pupils or fewer)
-
Boarding Schools
-
Co-educational day schools
-
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:
-
The Video Analysis Revolution
VEO Technology
-
Understanding the kit Industry
Limitless
-
New Possibilities in Developing Outdoor Sports Facilities
S & C Slatter
-
Revolutionary Instrumented Mouth Guards
OPRO
-
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:
-
Getting More out of SOCS
James Kershaw-Naylor, SOCS
-
The New Sports Touring Landscape
Travelopia
-
Contemporary Concussion Management
Return2Play
-
The Modern School Fitness Gym
Perform Better
-
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:
-
Establishing Sports Culture: A Case Study from Millfield
Dr Scott Drawer
-
The RFU Review on the Future of School Rugby
Tony Jackson
-
Winning Parental Engagement in School Sport
Gordon Maclelland
-
Challenging the Status Quo
Dr Emma Ross, The Well HQ
-
Modernising PE: New Approaches to Health and Exercise
Asha Riley
-
A Supportive Team Culture in Female Sport
Tamsin Greenway
2.45pm
Seminar Programme Two
Choose one of the following sessions:
-
Staffing the Programme and Managing Heads of Sport
Neil Rollings
-
Preparing for ISI Inspection of Sport
John Cox
-
Building a Positive Parent Culture
Gordon Maclelland
-
Practical Strategies for Developing Injury Resilience in Girls Sport
Dr Emma Ross
-
Engaging Reluctant Exercisers
Asha Riley
-
Supporting High Performance Female Athletes
Tamsin Greenway
3.30pm
Conference closes
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.
Book online
Please note, all bookings are handled through our partner ICE Education.