National Headteacher Conference 2024

News article

Owen Evans speaks at a podium during Estyn's National Headteacher Conference. The background features the Estyn logo and bilingual text in Welsh and English.

On 29th February 2024, we hosted our National Headteacher Conference at Cardiff City Stadium, bringing together nearly 500 headteachers and senior leaders from across Wales. This event was a pivotal moment in our ongoing consultation process for the new inspection framework, set to launch in September 2024.

The conference featured a keynote address from Welsh Government’s Owain Lloyd, Director of Education and the Welsh Language in Wales, who shared insights into the evolving landscape of education in the country. Additionally, a panel of senior school leaders discussed their experiences of the pilot inspections under the new framework.

Attendees had the opportunity to network with fellow headteachers and senior leaders from all over Wales, throughout the day. The afternoon offered a selection of workshops where schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) showcased effective practices on key educational themes:

  • Developing the Welsh language in English medium and bilingual schools
  • Mitigating the impacts of poverty and disadvantage on educational attainment
  • Using self-evaluation processes to plan for improvement
  • Delivering the Curriculum for Wales

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales, Owen Evans, said: “This conference provided a valuable opportunity, for education leaders to provide feedback and contribute to the development of our new inspection arrangements whilst learning from each other’s experiences.

“Thank you to everyone who attended the event. We look forward to continuing this collaborative journey as we prepare for the launch of the new inspection arrangements in September.”