Inclusion Conference 2026
Kingston Park Stadium
The Schools North East Inclusion Conference 2026 is your essential opportunity to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in education today: Inclusion. As schools across the North East face mounting pressures from rising SEND needs, a shortage of specialist placements, and seismic changes to the Ofsted framework, this event will equip you with the tools, strategies, and inspiration to lead in this new landscape. Mainstream schools are increasingly at the forefront of delivering inclusive education, supporting children with diverse abilities, needs, and circumstances in the face of complex systemic barriers.
With Ofsted’s new framework placing inclusion firmly at the heart of school inspections, there is a renewed focus on how every pupil is supported to succeed. This shift highlights the importance of early identification, inclusive teaching, and strong leadership in making sure no child is left behind. Our Inclusion Conference 2026 will bring school leaders, practitioners and experts together to unpack what these changes mean in practice, share real-world strategies, and celebrate the progress being made across our region.
The event will provide you with:
- Practical Strategies: Learn actionable methods to address resource gaps, break down barriers, and create inclusive environments.
- Expert Insights: Hear from thought leaders, practitioners, and policymakers who are redefining inclusion in education.
- Hands-On Workshops: Explore topics such as:
- Designing Inclusive Curricula: Represent diverse needs and perspectives in your teaching.
- Challenging Systemic Inequalities: Equip your school to better support marginalised groups.
- Building Positive Attitudes: Create a whole-school culture of acceptance and celebration of diversity.
- Collaborating Effectively: Partner with families, external agencies, and the wider community for holistic support systems.
Who Should Attend?
- Head Teachers and School Leaders
- SENDCOs and Inclusion Leads
- Pastoral and Wellbeing Staff
- Policy Influencers and Governors
Due to the ongoing Tyne Bridge works, queues at the Tyne tunnel may take longer than expected.
Book your placeEvent Organiser
Event Costs
SNE Partner School£90 +VAT
Non Partner School£130 +VAT
Commercial/Educational Supporter£250 +VAT
Non School£300 +VAT
For groups of 3+10% Discount
Book your placeEvent Overview
Rethinking Inclusion for the Disengaged – James Searjeant, Head Teacher, Wyborne Primary School
Inclusion is often framed through visible need. Yet many children, particularly boys, are masking struggles with anxiety, pressure, and school culture. My personal and professional journey gives me a unique perspective on the role of anxiety in shaping engagement with learning. This session will challenge current narratives of zero-tolerance behaviour policies and high-stakes standardised testing that too often push pupils out rather than draw them in. Attendees will gain insight into how leaders and teachers can create environments where neurodivergence, mental health, and identity are acknowledged as integral to inclusion rather than peripheral.
AI in Education to Support SEND Pupils – Martin Bailey, Director, animate2educate
Explore how AI can be used to create inclusive learning environments and improve outcomes for all learners. This session will examine the key benefits of AI, practical considerations for implementation, and how to confidently introduce it in your setting. Gain insights into how AI can enhance accessibility, personalise learning, and support SEND pupils in meaningful ways.
By the end of this session you should be able to:
• Recognise the Potential of AI in Supporting SEND Pupils – Delegates will understand how AI can enhance accessibility, personalise learning experiences, and provide targeted support for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
• Explore AI Tools for Different SEND Needs – Delegates will become familiar with a range of AI-driven tools and how these can support pupils with diverse needs.
• Develop Strategies for Effective AI Integration – Delegates will learn how to introduce AI tools into their teaching practice, ensuring they complement existing support strategies and are used effectively to benefit SEND pupils.
James Searjeant
Head Teacher, Wyborne Primary School
James Searjeant is a serving primary headteacher with over a decade of leadership experience and a passionate advocate for curriculum innovation and inclusive education. He has written extensively on curriculum reform and inclusion, with published articles influencing national debate. A member of the Foundation for Education Development, James brings personal and professional insight into the challenges of anxiety, identity, and belonging in education. His work champions immersive and creative approaches to teaching and learning that equip pupils not only with knowledge but also with resilience, confidence, and a strong sense of self.
Martin Bailey
Director, Animate 2 Educate Ltd
Martin Bailey is an esteemed educator with over 25 years experience in primary school teaching and leadership roles across the UK. Currently, Martin serves as a part-time teacher and Computer Subject Leader at Ellington Primary School in Northumberland and Birchwood Primary School in Tamworth. In these positions, he passionately delivers the Computing curriculum to students from Early Years Foundation Stage to Year 6 while spearheading digital enrichment activities and shaping the schools' digital strategies.
Beyond his classroom commitments, Martin is the driving force behind Animate 2 Educate Ltd, where he acts as a Primary Computing Advisor. Through this platform, he extends his expertise globally, conducting engaging workshops for students and comprehensive training sessions for staff on all aspects of Primary Computing and technology integration. Martin's academic journey includes lecturing roles at institutions such as Durham University and his current involvement at Sunderland University, where he educates PGCE and BA students on Primary Computing. Martin's influence transcends the classroom; he's a frequent presenter at international conferences like BETT and the SEND Show.
He's also a regular contributor to educational publications and has served as a judge for prestigious awards like BETT and ERA (Education Resource Awards). Notably, he has held advisory positions for both BETT and NAACE (National Association of Advisors for Computers in Education), demonstrating his commitment to shaping the educational landscape.
Chris Zarraga
Director, Schools North East
Chris is the Director of School North East. He has been part of the Schools North East team since its operational inception in 2008 and in 2019 he was appointed Director. Chris works with senior leaders across the North East and nationally in the education and charity sectors, to represent the voice of North East schools. A central part of his work is to lobby politicians, policy makers, and the media to put a strong ‘regional accent’ on the education debate, so that North East schools are not left behind when it comes to education policy.
Under Chris, Schools North East launched the ‘Manifesto for North East Education’. The manifesto sets out the perennial challenges that impact educational opportunities in the North East and the principles needed to inform any educational policy wanting to address them.
Chris works with hundreds of schools across the North East and various organisations including Ofsted, the DfE, the North East’s universities, Local Authorities and various regional/ national businesses. Prior to joining Schools North East, he led a £1.4 million culture change project in education across the North East for the Treasury and DfE and was responsible for setting up a multi-million pound Enterprise Education Network.
Chris sits on various advisory boards including the NHS Integrated Care Boards, various Combined Authority advisory boards, and was a member of the DfE’s Opportunity North East strategic board. He has also sat on various boards for North East Universities. As well as being a Director of two North East multi academy trusts, Chris has been Chair of a 3 school Trust, Vice Chair of a large maintained secondary school and Vice Chair of a primary foundation school.
In a variety of roles from Regional Manager to Chief Executive to Board member, Chris has led large scale change management projects in education and has over 20 years’ experience of strategic management, consultancy, and client development experience at a ‘Big Four’ firm and various financial institutions.
Chris holds an MBA with distinction from Durham University Business School.
Tyne Bridge Restoration – Travel Information
If you are planning to travel to the conference by car, please remember that the Tyne Bridge is currently undergoing major restoration works and is down to one lane each way.
We recommend avoiding the Tyne Bridge as there are expected delays of up to 40 minutes at peak travel times. Heavy congestion is expected on the Quayside route, Swing Bridge and routes to and from Redheugh Bridge and all approaches to the Tyne Bridge from both Newcastle and Gateshead sides.
Public transport is strongly advised when travelling to and from Newcastle city centre and Gateshead town centre, whether or not you now drive over the Tyne. For those who can’t use public transport, other river crossings that drivers could use include the A19, with the Tyne Tunnel connecting North Shields and Jarrow. Further west, motorists could cross the Tyne via the A1 on Blaydon Bridge or Scotswood Bridge, which connects the A694 and A695.
Whichever route you decide to use, we advise planning ahead, allow more time for your journeys, and expect delays.
More information about parking, public transport & journey here!
Parking
The venue offers ample parking for all guests. Please make your way to the West Stand entrance upon arrival.
Public Transport
If you’re travelling from Newcastle Central Station, you can take the Green Line Metro to Kingston Park Station — it’s just a 4-minute walk from there to the venue.
The same route applies if you’re travelling from the Monument Metro stop in the city centre.
From Eldon Square Bus Station, several bus routes will also take you close to the venue, including the X47 (approximately every 15 minutes) and the X78 (approximately every 30 minutes). Both stop at Kingston Park Shops, which is about a 2-minute walk to the stadium.
If you’re driving, the journey from Newcastle Central Station takes around 20 minutes.
WiFi
Network – Exhibitors Password – Expo2017
Arrival
Please make your way to check in at the Schools North East registration desk.
Your name badge will be laid out alphabetically by last name—just find yours, help yourself to a drink, and take a seat!
Exhibition Bingo
HOW TO PLAY:
- Visit the stand numbers on your card
- Get this card stamped by the exhibitors
- Fill in you contact details and deposit this card at the registration desk for you chance to win!
Bingo Prizes coming soon!
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