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National Conference for Heads of Physical Education

Thursday 5 February 2026 at Summer Fields School, Oxford

National Conference for Heads of Physical Education - Thursday 5 February 2026 in Oxford

Dates & Venues

    Welcome to the 2026 Conference for Heads of PE. This event is aimed at leaders of Physical Education in secondary schools of all types. It brings together the leading thinkers, researchers and influencers in the subject from across the university and school sectors, for a day of the latest trends and directions in school Physical Education. This year features an unrivalled assembly of teacher educators, innovators and national leaders to provide Heads of PE with an opportunity to better understand developments in the subject, and the ways in which they can implement contemporary best practice in their schools.

    The morning will be hosted by Will Swaithes and feature keynote sessions from Professor Ashley Casey, leader of teacher education in PE at Loughborough University and Kate Thornton-Bousfield, CEO of the Association for Physical Education. Kate has been highly influential, and integrally involved, in working with the government to develop the new National Curriculum in the subject, and will provide an insight into the process, philosophy and implications of this for schools.  

    The afternoon will provide a range of sessions from which delegates can choose, in order to pursue their particular enthusiasms, or to become updated on areas with which they are less familiar.  As always, there will be the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals, within a convivial atmosphere.

    Programme

    9.00am

    Arrival
    Refreshments
    Networking - Successes and Struggles Leading PE

    9.45am
    Welcome
    Prof Liz Durden-Myers & Will Swaithes
    10.00am
    From Performance to PEdagogy: Rebalancing Priorities in PE
    Prof Ash Casey, Loughborough University
    10.45am

    Refreshment break 

    11.00am
    The Future of PE and the National Curriculum
    Kate Thornton-Bousfield, CEO at the Association for Physical Education
    11.45am
    Hot Topic Discussion Forum 
    12.30pm

    Lunch

    1.30pm
    Seminar Programme One
    Delegates choose ONE of the following sessions:
    either Observing, Debriefing and Quality Assuring lessons
    Tom Butler & Will Swaithes
    or Inclusive PE: Ensuring Every Child Can Thrive
    Simon Scarborough & Lou Hacking
    or Implementing a Physical Literacy Informed Approach to PE
    Liz Durden-Myers & Keira Wylie
    2.45pm
    Seminar Programme Two
    Delegates choose ONE of the following sessions:
    either Teaching OAA and Health & Wellbeing Effectively
    Keira Wylie
    or Bringing cooperative learning to life: How to maximise its impact in lessons
    Ash Casey & Will Swaithes
    or Closing the Disadvantage Gap and Supporting our Hardest to Reach Students
    Louise Hacking
    or Exploring Safe Practice in PE. afPE
    Podium and PE Scholar
    4.00pm

    Conference disperses

    4.00pm
    Optional Networking on Effective Teaching of Examination PE & Vocational Sport Courses

    Price

    1 PLACE £225
    2 PLACES £359
     

    Conference runs 9.30am – 3.30pm. Prices include catering and resources. In the event of you needing to cancel a place on a course, please note we require 14 days notice.

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