by Margaret Mulholland, ASCL SEND and Inclusion Specialist
School leaders are facing an increasingly complex landscape: tight budgets, shifting policy demands, and the growing needs of pupils with SEND. Against this backdrop, the Tes SEND Show returns in October, with the SEND Leadership Summit at its centre — a one-day conference designed to give leaders space to think strategically about inclusion.
Taking place on 10 October 2025 at London’s Business Design Centre, and delivered in partnership with ASCL, the Summit brings together senior leaders, SENCos, trust executives and policy influencers for a day of debate, strategy and shared insight.
Tackling the big questions
The agenda has been shaped around the most pressing challenges schools face. Sessions will explore how to maintain quality SEND provision amid financial pressures, how to respond effectively to policy change, and how innovation - from technology to evidence-based practice, can shape the future of inclusive education.
Leading voices
The line-up features sector leaders with hard-won experience:
- Tom Rees, Chief Executive of Ormiston Academies Trust, will challenge delegates to translate policy ambition into school-wide action.
- Johnny Uttley, CEO of The Education Alliance, examines systemic barriers to inclusion, from admissions to inspections.
- Kate Browning, SEND consultant, sets out how the Graduated Approach can drive meaningful change.
- Tom Shaw, R&D Director at Carr Manor, shares how his school has embedded inclusion into its culture.
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Beyond the sessions
What makes the Summit distinctive is its focus on collaboration. Roundtables and networking breaks are built in, ensuring that leaders not only hear from experts but also learn from one another.
The Summit sits within the wider Tes SEND Show, which spans 42 CPD-certified seminars, three free theatres, and an exhibition of over 150 suppliers. Together, they offer leaders both the strategic vision and the practical tools to make inclusion sustainable.
Tickets
- £195 + VAT (public sector)
- £270 + VAT (private sector)
- ASCL members save 40%, apply for a discount code on their website
Join the movement for inclusive excellence – register free for Tes SEND Show and add the Leadership Summit to your basket today.