On 6 March, almost 600 members joined us online for our 2025 Spring Conference — a half-day of practical workshops and keynotes covering some of the most pressing issues affecting children and young people today.
We opened with a powerful keynote from Dr Chris van Tulleken — doctor, BBC broadcaster and best-selling author — who shared evidence-backed insights into the effects of ultra-processed foods on children and young people’s health.
Drawing on the latest research, Chris made a compelling call to action for urgent change in how we approach health education through the lens of food and nutrition.
Dr. Chris also introduced our brand new Food for Thought lesson packs for KS1–4, which he helped to develop. Available exclusively to members, these lesson packs aim to help pupils make healthier choices by addressing the everyday influences and barriers they face around nutrition.
Delegates then chose from a range of practical workshops led by our very own team of Subject Specialists.
Available workshop topics included:
- Protecting young people from fraud and online financial harms (KS1-4).
- Support for new PSHE leads (KS1-5).
- Gaining fresh perspectives on health education (KS1-5).
- Inclusive approaches to teaching puberty to pupils with SEND (KS1-4).
Our next guest speaker was Natalie Foos, Director of youth content platform VoiceBox.
Natalie shared early findings from VoiceBox’s ongoing research into how young people are increasingly forming connections with generative AI tools and chatbots — often without clear boundaries or protections.
It was a thought-provoking look at emerging risks and the vital role PSHE education plays in helping pupils navigate this fast-evolving online space.
After a short break, our Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Education, Jenny Barksfield, introduced our new School Plus membership tier.
School Plus builds on our existing School Membership offer — giving you and your whole staff team access to a new on-demand library of self-led, interactive CPD courses, webinars, and practical quick tips videos, as well as exclusive live events.
Next up was Dr Amy Orben, in conversation with our CEO Jonathan Baggaley.
Dr Orben, one of University of Cambridge’s world-leading experts on digital technology and adolescent mental health, shared findings from her latest research, and discussed the complex, nuanced relationship between smartphone use, social media and wellbeing.
Her insights offered practical ways we as educators can support young people in today’s complex digital world.
Delegates then took part in their second workshop of the day, with options including:
- Teaching about AI, in partnership with The Alan Turing Institute (KS3-5)
- Inclusive sexual health education (KS3-5)
- Effective careers education (KS1-4)
- Mental health education using the latest evidence (KS1-2)
This last workshop introduced our innovative mental health curriculum for primary schools, Foundations for Wellbeing.
We ended the day on a real high with a closing keynote from writer, speaker and former teacher Jeffrey Boakye. Jeffrey reflected on the role teachers play in helping children and young people understand and navigate identity in complex and shifting cultural contexts.
He also addressed how positive representations of masculinity can help challenge harmful narratives and ultimately support young people’s self-development and confidence.
Jeffrey’s closing message, that “as teachers, we are guiding the safe landing of young people”, perfectly captured the feeling of the event as a whole.
Delegates commented on the overall quality of the sessions and their practical application of the latest academic research, the punchy pacing of the day’s agenda (“you really value our time [as busy teachers!]”), and the event’s strong emphasis on the most pressing issues children and young people currently face.
“Speakers were so inspirational and extremely informative, giving us as educators access to essential research that helps ensure that these topics are being tackled with pupils in an accurate, safe and relevant way.”
“One of the best training days I’ve had in over 20 years.”
