Devon Maintained Schools conference 2026 programme

Conference programme

09:00  Registration, refreshments, networking and exhibition

09:30  Welcome and introduction - Jim Barnicott, Assistant Director, Inclusion and Learning

09:40  Maintained Schools Business - Ruh Alford, Executive Headteacher, The Carey Federation 

This session will provide clarity of roles and representation from DSLS along with outlining next steps

10:00  School improvement | The plan moving forward - Alice McShane and Mark Walker, Heads of Service for Education, Quality and Inclusion (South and West, North and Mid)

More information coming soon...

10.30  Collaboration in practice | Session 1

More information coming soon...

10.50  Collaboration in practice | Session 2

More information coming soon...

11:10  Refreshments, networking and exhibition

11:40  Partnership mapping activity -Alice McShane and Mark Walker, Heads of Service for Education, Quality and Inclusion (South and West, North and Mid)

This session will discuss;

        • What are the features of a strong partnership?
        • Our Partnerships/Their Strengths
        • What would make them even stronger?

12:45  Next steps | Q&A session - Jim Barnicott, Assistant Director, Inclusion and Learning

13:00  Lunch and networking 

13:30  Close of event

Devon Maintained Schools conference 2026 programme