Event Details

Welcome to the National Conference for Heads of Physical Education 2026, in partnership with ICE Education.

Physical Education is at a crossroads.
Schools of every type face growing pressures, and recent political announcements have major implications for how PE is led, managed, and delivered. While government and public figures — including England’s Lionesses — champion more time and greater quality for PE and school sport, many schools still lack a clear understanding of physical education’s unique purpose and value in their setting.

Amid an obesity crisis, a growing mental health emergency, rising social inequality, and increasing demands for life and work skills, PE is often positioned as part of the solution. Yet schools are simultaneously under intense pressure to secure academic outcomes, navigate constant curriculum reform, and meet ever-evolving inspection frameworks — creating a conflict of priorities for PE leaders.

The Department for Education’s Curriculum and Assessment Review, alongside the new Ofsted Inspection Framework, signals that change is coming. This year’s Conference offers a crucial opportunity to get ahead of that change.

Join us as we explore what a modern, impactful and holistic PE curriculum should look like. The morning features a thought-provoking keynote from Professor Ash Casey (Loughborough University) on rebalancing your priorities in PE, followed by an essential update from Kate Thornton-Bousfield, CEO of the Association for Physical Education.

The day will also include structured discussions on the biggest challenges facing PE today and practical opportunities to share best practice. In the afternoon, delegates can choose from focused sessions tailored to the specific needs of their schools — helping you develop a forward-thinking and context-specific plan to lead PE with clarity and confidence. We hope the reduced price of additional places encourages you to bring colleagues along to capitalise on multiple workshops and commit to all important reflection and planning to implement ideas on your journey home.

Conference Programme

9.00AM – Arrival, Refreshments + Networking: Successes and Struggles Leading PE

9.45AM – Welcome. Prof Liz Durden-Myers & Will Swaithes, PE Scholar

10.00AM – From Performance to PEdagogy: Rebalancing Priorities in PE. Prof Ash Casey, Loughborough University

10.45AM – Refreshment Break

11.00AM – The Future of PE and the National Curriculum. Kate Thornton-Bousfield, CEO at the Association for Physical Education

11.45AM – Hot Topic Discussion Forum

12.30PM – Lunch

1.30PM – Seminar Programme 1
Delegates choose one of the following sessions:

1. Observing, Debriefing and Quality Assuring lessons. Tom Butler & Will Swaithes
2. Inclusive PE: Ensuring Every Child Can Thrive. Simon Scarborough & Lou Hacking
3. Implementing a Physical Literacy Informed Approach to PE. Prof Liz Durden-Myers & Keira Wylie

2.45PM – Seminar Programme 2
Delegates choose one of the following sessions:

1. Teaching OAA and Health & Wellbeing Effectively. Keira Wylie & Nathan Joyce
2. Bringing cooperative learning to life: How to maximise its impact in lessons. Prof Ash Casey & Will Swaithes
3. Closing the Disadvantage Gap and Supporting our Hardest to Reach Students. Lou Hacking & Claire Squires
4. Exploring Safe Practice in PE. AfPE, Podium and PE Scholar

4.00PM – Conference Disperses

4.00PM – Optional – Networking on Effective Teaching of Examination PE & Vocational Sport Courses

Conference Tickets and Prices

To book online, please click the button below to visit the ICE Education website.

Please note:

• All prices include catering and resources.
• All prices exclude VAT – but remember schools can reclaim the VAT on all courses!
• We require 14 days notice in the event that you need to cancel a place.