EdCon2026: Practical solutions for the biggest issues facing schools and trusts
Join us in March 2026 for our annual online Education conference (EdCon). We're running six webinars over three weeks, focusing on some of the most significant areas of development for the sector.
Gain invaluable insights from our leading education lawyers and HR experts who will provide practical solutions to support schools and trusts to handle these challenges effectively.
Who is EdCon for?
This online event is designed to support all of those who work in schools and academies with practical advice and support. EdCon2026 is open to all and free to attend.
Agenda
Six live webinars will take place 10am - 11am on Tuesdays and Thursdays over three weeks. Sessions cover essential legal, HR and governance challenges facing schools and trusts in 2026, from workforce restructuring and safeguarding compliance to managing complaints in the AI era, academy mergers, executive pay decisions and preparing for SEND reform.
Our in-person and online events are designed exclusively for clients and targets. As such, we reserve the right to cancel bookings. If you’d like to speak to a member of the team regarding your attendance, please contact us.
Agenda
Tuesday 10 March 2026, 10-11am
Falling rolls, tough decisions: how to restructure legally and with care
Budget pressures and falling rolls are forcing difficult workforce decisions. Learn practical strategies to manage restructures fairly, handle redundancies correctly and maintain a positive culture - protecting your school from tribunal claims while supporting staff.
Speakers: Hannah Bingham, Senior HR Consultant and Tom Mitchell, Principal Associate
Thursday 12 March 2026, 10-11am
Safeguarding record-keeping: best practice and common pitfalls
Effective safeguarding record-keeping is essential but fraught with risk. Learn best practice for maintaining accurate, compliant records, avoid common documentation errors and understand when to share information appropriately while ensuring KCSiE compliance.
Speaker: Dai Durbridge, Partner
Tuesday 17 March 2026, 10-11am
From conflict to resolution: managing complaints and data requests in the AI era
Parent complaints, SARs and FOI requests are becoming more complex as AI introduces new challenges. Learn techniques to de-escalate difficult interactions, manage information requests efficiently and navigate AI-related concerns.
Speakers: Vicky Hatton, Partner, and Claire Archibald, Legal Director
Thursday 19 March 2026, 10-11am
Academy mergers that work: trust growth and people management
High-profile MAT mergers are creating larger, more strategic organisations. Learn how to plan successful mergers, navigate due diligence, integrate cultures, streamline HR policies and build cohesive organisations that achieve sustainable growth.
Speakers: Lydia Michaelson-Yeates, Partner, and Tracy Foster, HR Consultant
Tuesday 24 March 2026, 10-11am
Governance reviews and executive pay
Strong governance and transparent decisions are fundamental to trust effectiveness. Learn how to commission external governance reviews, set executive pay that withstands scrutiny and strengthen trust capability and accountability.
Speakers: Emma Hughes, Partner, and Mark Blois, Partner
Thursday 26 March 2026, 10-11am
SEND and the White Paper: Practical steps for reform
Significant SEND reform is expected. We'll discuss proposed changes and practical steps schools can take now to prepare for new requirements and support pupils effectively.
Speakers: Hayley O’Sullivan, Principal Associate, and Philip Wood, Principal Associate
Tuesday 10 March 2026, 10-11am
Falling rolls, tough decisions: how to restructure legally and with care
Budget pressures and falling rolls are forcing difficult workforce decisions. Learn practical strategies to manage restructures fairly, handle redundancies correctly and maintain a positive culture - protecting your school from tribunal claims while supporting staff.
Speakers: Hannah Bingham, Senior HR Consultant and Tom Mitchell, Principal Associate
Thursday 12 March 2026, 10-11am
Safeguarding record-keeping: best practice and common pitfalls
Effective safeguarding record-keeping is essential but fraught with risk. Learn best practice for maintaining accurate, compliant records, avoid common documentation errors and understand when to share information appropriately while ensuring KCSiE compliance.
Speaker: Dai Durbridge, Partner
Tuesday 17 March 2026, 10-11am
From conflict to resolution: managing complaints and data requests in the AI era
Parent complaints, SARs and FOI requests are becoming more complex as AI introduces new challenges. Learn techniques to de-escalate difficult interactions, manage information requests efficiently and navigate AI-related concerns.
Speakers: Vicky Hatton, Partner, and Claire Archibald, Legal Director
Thursday 19 March 2026, 10-11am
Academy mergers that work: trust growth and people management
High-profile MAT mergers are creating larger, more strategic organisations. Learn how to plan successful mergers, navigate due diligence, integrate cultures, streamline HR policies and build cohesive organisations that achieve sustainable growth.
Speakers: Lydia Michaelson-Yeates, Partner, and Tracy Foster, HR Consultant
Tuesday 24 March 2026, 10-11am
Governance reviews and executive pay
Strong governance and transparent decisions are fundamental to trust effectiveness. Learn how to commission external governance reviews, set executive pay that withstands scrutiny and strengthen trust capability and accountability.
Speakers: Emma Hughes, Partner, and Mark Blois, Partner
Thursday 26 March 2026, 10-11am
SEND and the White Paper: Practical steps for reform
Significant SEND reform is expected. We'll discuss proposed changes and practical steps schools can take now to prepare for new requirements and support pupils effectively.
Speakers: Hayley O’Sullivan, Principal Associate, and Philip Wood, Principal Associate
Contact
Victoria Hatton
Partner
victoria.hatton@brownejacobson.com
+44 (0)330 045 2808
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