Hi Everyone,

With almost all colleagues now firmly ensconced in the summer break, I just want to round off our final newsletter of the academic year by wishing you an enjoyable and restful holiday! Very much deserved.

If by any chance that you do get bored during the summer, don't forget that you can take advantage of a wealth of FREE CPD in the Independent Schools Portal YouTube channel - with over 100 hours of content spread across 115 videos - with topics such as inspection, leadership, strategic planning, creating a coaching culture, schools marketing and mental health to name but a few. Well worth checking out and subscribing so that you are notified as soon as new content goes live. Not that anything will be over the summer, mind, as we'll be taking a well-earned rest too!

Also, don't forget to also subscribe to next year's webinar series for independent school leaders and schools marketers.  All completely FREE as well.

Next year, we will be celebrating 10 years of the Independent Schools Portal. We begin September with an AI conference at Canva HQ in Foxton Square, London (tickets only £35), whereas in October it is our Northern prep and primary leaders conference in Harrogate (tickets just £45). There aren't many spaces left at either event, so I recommend booking quickly if you're interested in either of these. As you'd expect, the programmes are outstanding and as you can probably tell from the pricing, we're one of the very few organisations running these events to give back to the sector, rather than to make a profit. More information below.

Lastly, don't forget that if you'd like to watch 6 short product demonstrations online during a weekday evening and share your thoughts on what you've seen (in return for a £40 Amazon voucher), I'd heartily recommend registering your interest with our sister organisation BlueCow Education here. If you've never tried these sessions - part product pitch, part market research - I'd forgive you for thinking that they sound horrendous! However, over 3000 leaders have given them a try over the last two years and they have a 100% recommendation rate, with 92% classing the evenings as CPD. They're really relaxed, fast paced and good fun - so even if you're still sceptical and you're arching your eyebrow as you read this - do give one a go and I promise you won't regret it!

So that's it from me for this academic year - have a brilliant summer!

As ever,
​
David
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David Winfield
Founder, Independent Schools Portal.

AI continues to develop at pace in terms of the solutions and problems it can create and solve in education. This means that it can be an overwhelming subject for schools and teachers. However, used well, it can be truly transformational.

There is an ever widening knowledge and skills gap between those who using AI strategically and to great effect and those using it poorly - or not at all. This one day event will bring together some of the leading experts in the sector to look at how YOUR school could use AI effectively and safely for the benefit of staff and children.

Programme Overview:
• Understanding the role AI can play in your school
• Managing and being aware of AI risks
• AI use cases to save teachers time
• Using AI to improve teaching and learning
• Developing your AI strategy and approach

Who should attend:
No prior knowledge is assumed – this really is an event for those who are beginning their AI journey would like to take their next steps. The leading experts delivering the sessions will offer practical insights, enabling each and every delegate to leave with key takeaways. These are:

• Being aware of what AI offers in terms of benefits and risks
• Know what is currently out there to help your school
• Understand what an AI strategy for your school could look like

The aim is to inspire attendees with a snapshot what is currently possible and how to safely navigate this developing area with increased confidence and understanding. Find out more and book your place.

I​nnovate, Inspire and Improve in 2025. Friday 17th October 2025, Crowne Plaze, Harrogate. £45+VAT (Early bird tickets)
Programme:
0930 - KEYNOTE. Current trends in the education sector. June Stevenson, Teacher Tapp.
1010 - Barrowford Primary School: From agape to sonder with a cwtch. Rachel Tomlinson, Head, Barrowford Primary School.
1050 - Coffee and exhibition.
1115 - KCSIE and safeguarding in the digital age. Ann Marie Christian.
1200 - Case studies and scenarios. Simon Blower.
1230 - Lunch and exhibition.
1330 - AI in Action. Martin Bailey.
1410 - KEYNOTE. Promoting inclusivity in schools, Baasit Siddiqui.
1450 - Parental engagement: Getting it right, Rachael Wilding.
1525 - Questions and close.

Hi Everyone,

With schools now beginning to break up for the summer, I'd like to draw your attention to the READING ALOUD CHALLENGE, which we at BlueCow Education and the Independent Schools Portal are passionate supporters of.

This initiative, now in it's 3rd year, aims to keep children reading over the summer break and is completely free of charge. It gamifies reading, allows schools to compete with each other locally and nationally, and fosters a love of reading. Click here to find out more.

Our friends at Pageticker have also produced a summer reading list for parents and teachers. If you'd like access to this, click here.

Places are rapidly selling out at out Northern Primary Leaders conference in Harrogate (October 17th) and at our AI Conference at Canva HQ, London (25th September). If you are interested in attending one of these events, I'd definitely recommend signing up sooner rather than later to guarantee your place. More information below.

Finally, Emma Ralph delivered a superb 45 minute webinar this week on Promoting ownership of writing in early years and key stage one. The session was recorded and you can now watch it here.
I hope that you find all this of use.
​
With all good wishes,
David
---
David Winfield
Founder, Independent Schools Portal.

​AI continues to develop at pace in terms of the solutions and problems it can create and solve in education. This means that it can be an overwhelming subject for schools and teachers. However, used well, it can be truly transformational.

There is an ever widening knowledge and skills gap between those who using AI strategically and to great effect and those using it poorly - or not at all. This one day event will bring together some of the leading experts in the sector to look at how YOUR school could use AI effectively and safely for the benefit of staff and children.

Programme Overview:
• Understanding the role AI can play in your school
• Managing and being aware of AI risks
• AI use cases to save teachers time
• Using AI to improve teaching and learning
• Developing your AI strategy and approach

Who should attend:
No prior knowledge is assumed – this really is an event for those who are beginning their AI journey would like to take their next steps. The leading experts delivering the sessions will offer practical insights, enabling each and every delegate to leave with key takeaways. These are:

• Being aware of what AI offers in terms of benefits and risks
• Know what is currently out there to help your school
• Understand what an AI strategy for your school could look like

The aim is to inspire attendees with a snapshot what is currently possible and how to safely navigate this developing area with increased confidence and understanding. Find out more and book your place.

Innovate, Inspire and Improve in 2025. Friday 17th October 2025, Crowne Plaze, Harrogate. £45+VAT (Early bird tickets)

Programme:

0930 - KEYNOTE. Current trends in the education sector. June Stevenson, Teacher Tapp.
1010 - Barrowford Primary School: From agape to sonder with a cwtch. Rachel Tomlinson, Head, Barrowford Primary School.
1050 - Coffee and exhibition.
1115 - KCSIE and safeguarding in the digital age. Ann Marie Christian.
1200 - Case studies and scenarios. Simon Blower.
1230 - Lunch and exhibition.
1330 - AI in Action. Martin Bailey.
1410 - KEYNOTE. Promoting inclusivity in schools, Baasit Siddiqui.
1450 - Parental engagement: Getting it right, Rachael Wilding.
1525 - Questions and close.

Find out more and book.