SAfE Leadership Conference 2026: Authentic Leadership for a Changing World
On Wednesday 18th March 2026, SAfE will host its flagship Leadership Conference at the stunning Hilltop Garden Room, RHS Wisley. This year’s theme, ‘Authentic Leadership for a Changing World’, could not be more timely.
Education leaders today face unprecedented complexity: rapid technological change, growing mental health challenges, and the urgent need to embed equity and inclusion in every aspect of school life. Authentic leadership, rooted in integrity, transparency, and values, is essential for navigating these pressures while sustaining trust and resilience in our communities. Research shows that leaders who model authenticity and equity foster stronger cultures of belonging, improve staff retention, and drive better outcomes for learners.
This year’s keynote speakers bring deep expertise and lived experience:
- Dame Rachel de Souza DBE – A distinguished education leader and former headteacher, Dame Rachel is the Children’s Commissioner for England. She founded and led Inspiration Trust as its first CEO, transforming outcomes across its schools in East Anglia over the last decade. She was appointed Dame in 2014 for services to education, and rose to the role of Children’s Commissioner in 2021. During her tenure, she has led two of the largest surveys of children ever conducted — The Big Ask and The Big Ambition— amplifying the voices of over a million young people to influence policy and improve children’s lives.
- Lord Hobby – Former General Secretary of NAHT and former CEO of Teach First, Lord Hobby is the current Chief Executive of The Kemnal Academies Trust. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in English education, bringing extensive senior leadership experience in national-level roles across the system. As a new member of the House of Lords, he offers a rare combination of frontline understanding, strategic insight, and policy‑shaping expertise.
- Sian Hampton OBE – With over two decades as CEO of Archway Learning Trust, Sian has transformed education for thousands of disadvantaged learners. Her insights on values-driven leadership and navigating systemic change will resonate with anyone striving to lead with courage and clarity in uncertain times.
- Alex Atherton – Former inner-city headteacher and leadership coach, Alex is a leading voice on generational diversity. His work helps leaders harness the strengths of Gen Z and build high-performing, multigenerational teams, a critical skill as schools adapt to workforce shifts and evolving expectations.
- Casey Bailey – An award-winning poet, educator, and advocate for social justice, Casey explores how authentic leadership empowers communities and dismantles barriers to equity. His sessions inspire leaders to create cultures where every voice matters and belonging is non-negotiable.
- Emily Hayward-Stubbs – CEO and Headteacher of Pond Meadow Academy Trust, an Outstanding special school in Guildford for children and young people aged 3-19 with autism and complex learning needs. Since 2020, she and her team have led thoughtful and purposeful growth, strengthening specialist provision, beginning the development of a new satellite setting, and working alongside mainstream colleagues to help them teach in the way all pupils learn best. Emily believes that culture drives outcomes, that people and place matter, and that when adults create calm, structured environments with high expectations, children thrive.
Alongside these thought-provoking keynotes, delegates will enjoy networking opportunities, practical activities, and a delicious lunch in a beautiful setting.
Date: Wednesday 18th March 2026
Time: 9:00am – 2:30pm
Venue: RHS Wisley, Hilltop Garden Room
Price: SAfE Subscribers £160 | Non-Subscribers £200
Spaces are limited. Book your place now to join this inspiring event. Find out more and register here.
