| NACE Leadership Conference |
NACE Leadership Conference 2020Understanding more able learners: key drivers to inform policy and practice
Interactive online event16 - 20 November 2020Monday - Thursday 3.45-5.00pm, Friday 12.30-1.30pm This interactive online conference explores five key aspects to help schools develop effective practice for more able learners. Taking a holistic view of the learner, and current challenges facing schools, the event provides authoritative keynotes alongside opportunities for senior peer-to-peer exchange. Delegates will gain an in-depth view of NACE’s national research project “Making Space for More Able Learners” and hear from leading figures as they explore the latest thinking around perfectionism and wellbeing. The role of learner and educator will also be explored as we review learning technologies. The final conference session will focus on the role of school leaders in creating the climate for challenge, as we hear directly from headteachers who participated in the NACE research project. The programme is a series of five online sessions across the week. Purchasing a conference pass allows for one participant to attend each live session, but for added flexibility, it does not have to be the same person each time, allowing you to share conference participation amongst your leadership team if you wish. Additional conference passes can be purchased to allow wider remote access, or you can purchase a recording of the main sessions if you are unable to join us live. PLUS: attending schools will receive a printed copy of NACE's new research publication – exploring the principles of cognitive challenge and how to put these into practice. (For member schools this will automatically be sent to your lead contact at the start of November, as part of your membership.) Explore the conference themes in our free content pack. Purchase the recordingsMembers Membership starts from £95 +VAT per year for the whole school.Attendee Price
£195.00
Exploring cognitive challenge - how do you optimise the engagement, learning and achievement of very able young people? 3.45 - 5.00pm, Monday 16 November The conference opens with the launch of NACE’s latest research, ‘Making space for able learners’. Report authors Hilary Lowe and Dr Ann McCarthy will outline key pedagogical approaches which provide cognitive challenge and have a positive impact on the learning and achievement of more able learners. Based on a series of research visits to schools that have gained the NACE Challenge Award, the session will explore:
Breakout questions:
Perfectionism and more able learners: current research and future classroom practice 3.45 - 5.00pm, Tuesday 17 November Presentation and discussion led by Professor Andy Hill, Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), York St John University. Breakout questions:
What’s holding them back? Lifting barriers to achievement for more able learners 3.45 - 5.00pm, Wednesday 18 November Carrie Winstanley, Professor of Pedagogy at Roehampton University, will consider some of the reasons why more able learners do not achieve as well as they could. She will consider classroom strategies based on research that can support areas such as self-regulation and mindset, along with sharing her views on equality of challenge. Breakout questions:
How can schools optimise the use of digital technologies to support the needs of more able learners? 3.45 - 5.00pm, Thursday 19 November Starting from the perspective of the learner, NACE patron Dr Chris Yapp will consider what learning needs technology can address, how to extend and enrich through digital resources and enable true independent pursuit of learning for the more able. Breakout questions:
Creating a climate for challenge – leadership imperatives that support high-quality education 12.30 - 1.30pm, Friday 20 November In conversation with headteachers from our research project schools, NACE Education Adviser Hilary Lowe will explore key organisational factors that have led to high-quality education for more able learners. Following initial views from our panel, you will be invited to take part in a live Q&A session. Panellists:
Presenters![]() Hilary Lowe
, NACE Education Adviser
With extensive experience in the education sector and a longstanding focus on more able provision, Hilary plays a key role in developing NACE's CPD, research, policy and guidance for schools. View profile![]() Dr Ann McCarthy
, NACE Associate
An experienced education consultant, leader and practitioner, Ann is a former Improvement Director for a multi-academy trust. She currently leads on NACE's regional R&D Hubs initiative. View profile![]() Prof. Andrew Hill
, York St John University
Professor Hill directs a research group examining the consequences of perfectionism in different achievement contexts at York St John University, and has written widely on this topic. View profile![]() Dr Chris Yapp
, NACE patron
Futurist Dr Chris Yapp has a longstanding interest in the future of education, including the challenges of personalised and lifelong learning, educational transformation and the knowledge economy. View profile![]() Prof. Carrie Winstanley
, University of Roehampton
Having taught in schools and HE for 25 years, Carrie Winstanley is now Professor of Pedagogy at Roehampton University, with an interest in developing appropriate challenge for learners of all ages. View profile |
16/10/2025 » 22/04/2026
The Working Classroom: How to effectively support more able but under-resourced students
22/10/2025 » 22/04/2026
Thinking Moves A-Z: Metacognition Made Simple