This first West Midlands School Leaders Annual Conference was created and developed by Opening Doors & Venues in close partnership with client team (TSA, NCTL, Britannia and Blackfriars TSAs) to tackle the changes in the education landscape and the importance of collaboration in this post-election educational landscape. Two powerful expert panel discussions and keynote contributions from respected educationalists such as Prof David Hopkins and Richard Gerver opened the path towards a deeper understanding of the school led system.

Nearly 200 delegates, 17 exhibitors and 3 sponsors were welcomed to the Regent Centre of the Chateau Impney in Droitwich Spa, by event host, Mary Rhodes of BBC Midlands Today. The diverse programme, graphically recorded throughout the day to create the event ‘Think Big Picture’, included four live voting sessions, the surprise appearance of an animatronic dinosaur, live camera relay, a Hakka energising session, opportunity for attendees to contribute to a graffiti board and to network and visit the 20 exhibition stands.

The paid for, full-day event, culminated with main motivational keynote speech, delivered by Adventurer and Author, Alastair Humphreys, who’s humble approach to risk-taking, and the sheer size of the challenges he has undertaken, touched a chord with so many of the delegates. Prizes in the form of signed books offered by all three of our keynotes and various items and workshops from our sponsors were drawn live on stage.