Map the Future of Your School at the Schools & Academies Show
School leadership has never been more demanding. From managing stretched budgets and navigating policy changes to embracing AI, strengthening inclusion and improving pupil outcomes, education leaders are expected to solve increasingly complex challenges.
That's exactly why thousands of senior education professionals come together every year at the Schools & Academies Show Birmingham.
Taking place on 18–19 November 2026 at the NEC Birmingham, the UK's leading education event brings together expert insight, practical CPD, innovative suppliers and invaluable networking — all specifically designed to ensure senior leaders return to school with fresh ideas they can put into action immediately.
Discover Practical Solutions to Your Biggest Challenges
The Schools & Academies Show has been designed around the real priorities facing schools and trusts today. Whether you're looking to improve financial sustainability, strengthen your digital strategy, enhance SEND provision or develop your leadership team, you'll find practical advice and proven solutions across every area of the show floor.
The programme covers key strategic themes including:
- Leadership & Governance
- Business & Finance
- SEND & Inclusion
- Estates & Sustainability
- EdTech & Digital Transformation
- Teaching & Learning
Sessions and discussions focus on practical strategies, evidence-based approaches and real-world case studies that can help shape the future of your school or trust.
Learn from the Sector's Leading Voices
With more than 300 speakers delivering over 50 hours of CPD-certified content, the event offers one of the most comprehensive professional development programmes available for education leaders.
Hear directly from influential voices across education, including:
- The Rt․ Hon. Laura Trott MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Education
- Emma Wilson, Director, Education Value for Money Team, National Audit Office (NAO)
- Benedicte Yue, Chief Financial Officer, Community & Partnerships, River Learning Trust
- The Rt. Hon. Suella Braverman KC MP, Spokesman for Education, Skills & Equalities, Reform UK
- Sam Freedman, Senior Fellow, Institute for Government
- Dr. Jon Needham, National Director of Safeguarding & Mental Health, Oasis Academy Trust
- Gary Smart, Trust Head of Capital & Compliance, Matrix Academy Trust
- Rob Peters, Director of Marketing and Communications, National Governance Association
- Edward Vitalis, Chief Executive Officer, Invictus Education Trust
- Adam Sproston, Senior HMI for SEND, AP and Inclusion, Ofsted
- Dave Smith, Director of Procurement and Trust-wide Projects, Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust
You'll leave with fresh perspectives, actionable ideas and greater confidence to tackle the challenges facing your organisation.
Save Months of Research in Just Two Days
Finding trusted education suppliers can be time-consuming.
At the Schools & Academies Show you'll have the opportunity to meet more than 250 education solution providers under one roof, allowing you to compare products, ask questions and explore new innovations—all at one event, under one roof.
Whether you're reviewing your MIS, exploring AI tools, planning estates improvements or searching for cost-saving services, you'll be able to speak directly with the organisations supporting schools across the UK.
It's an efficient way to discover solutions that can help improve pupil outcomes while making the most of your budget.
Build a Year's Worth of Connections
The show is also a unique opportunity for school and trust leaders to network and make connections with peers who are facing the same challenges as them.
Across the two days you'll meet:
- Headteachers
- MAT CEOs and executive leaders
- School Business Managers
- Governors
- SENDCOs
- Estates leaders
- Digital and IT leaders
- HR professionals
- Teaching and learning specialists
Whether during networking breaks, dedicated networking activities or informal conversations across the exhibition, you'll gain valuable insights from colleagues tackling similar issues in their own schools and trusts.
Four Education Events. One Free Pass.
Your complimentary pass for the Schools & Academies Show unlocks access to four specialist education events running alongside the main exhibition.
This means even more opportunities to discover new ideas, attend CPD-certified sessions and meet sector experts at the:
Whatever your area of responsibility, you'll have access to even more tailored content and specialist expertise all over two days at one single event.
Explore Interactive Show Features
Throughout the show floor, you'll also discover a range of interactive show features specifically designed to help you learn, network and solve problems in a more engaging way.
Government Education Village
The Government Education Village gives school and trust leaders a rare opportunity to engage directly with senior representatives from the Department for Education and key education bodies in an informal, accessible setting.
Visitors can ask questions directly, gain clarity on upcoming changes and better understand how national priorities may impact their schools and trusts.
CPC Village
With increasing financial pressures across the sector, the CPC Village gives school and trust leaders direct access to trusted procurement specialists and framework providers who can help schools reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.
Hosted with Crescent Purchasing Consortium, this dedicated area focuses on practical ways schools can maximise value without compromising quality.
Inclusive Classroom
The Inclusive Classroom, hosted by Findel Education, brings inclusive learning environments to life through immersive, real-world examples designed to inspire school and MAT leaders.
Hosted by leading SEND suppliers and specialists, this feature showcases practical approaches, technologies and strategies that can help schools create more accessible and supportive learning environments for every pupil.
FED Stage
The Foundation for Education Development (FED), a key strategic partner of the Schools & Academies Show, will host a dedicated stage showcasing panel sessions that tackle the sector’s biggest strategic challenges. This stage will provide a platform for discussion, debate and solutions to long-term local, regional, national and global challenges.
NGA Annual Conference & AGM
The National Governance Association (NGA) is the national membership association for governors, trustees and governance professionals in England’s state schools and trusts. On day two of the Schools & Academies Show in Birmingham, we will host its Annual Conference and AGM.
With over 80,000 members and a growing community, the NGA will bring hundreds of governance professionals to the show and share research and insights, trusted information, advice and professional development to support governing boards, MATs and organisations.
Invest Two Days. Benefit All Year.
Attending the Schools & Academies Show isn't simply about spending time away from school— it's about making that time count. In just two days you can:
- Stay ahead of sector developments and policy changes.
- Gain practical CPD that supports your professional development.
- Compare hundreds of trusted education suppliers.
- Learn from leading practitioners.
- Build valuable professional relationships.
- Discover ideas that improve efficiency, save money and enhance outcomes for pupils.
If you're responsible for shaping the future of your school or trust, there's no better place to gain the insight, inspiration and practical solutions you need.
Join thousands of senior education leaders at the Schools & Academies Show Birmingham, taking place on 18–19 November 2026 at the NEC Birmingham, and discover why it's become the UK's leading event for school improvement.
Key Event Details:
- Schools & Academies Show
Co-Located with the EdTech Summit, SEND Conference & Independent Schools Conference
- Event Dates: 18th & 19th November 2026
- Location: NEC, Birmingham
- Registration Link: https://www.schoolsandacademiesshow.co.uk/birmingham-registration
- Free for all schools, including MATs, academies, independent schools, colleges, universities, local authorities and central government and the wider public sector.
