School leaders are facing significant challenges to ensure that pupils across London can be well supported to develop into well-rounded individuals regardless of their backgrounds, interests, and needs. This conference will explore some of the social, health and educational challenges that pupils face and will provide potential strategies for attendees to reflect on, discuss and plan the next steps for their schools to implement in order to fully support the further development of a fully inclusive London.

Welcome to our Speakers

Mike Nicholson: Progressive Masculinity Ltd is dedicated to reshaping the understanding of masculinity for boys and men. Mike Nicholson, who has over 20 years of experience in education. Progressive Masculinity's mission is to challenge outdated models of masculinity and promote a healthier, more open-minded perspective.

Their approach is based on creating safe, non-judgmental spaces where boys and men can explore their masculinity. We focus on supporting them through the transition from adolescence to manhood by empowering them to construct models of masculinity that align with their values. This enables them to become the kind of men, friends, partners, and fathers that the world needs.

Lee Elliot-Major: Professor of Social Mobility, University of Exeter. Lee is Britain’s first Professor of Social Mobility, based at the University of Exeter. He was previously Chief Executive of the Sutton Trust, the UK’s leading social mobility foundation.

His work is dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people from under-resourced or poorer backgrounds. He works closely with school and university leaders, global employers and Governments in the UK and across the world to develop practical ways of improving educational and life prospects.

Alex Bax: Joined Pathway in 2010. He has two decades of public health experience, as a senior advisor to Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson. He led the development of London’s first statutory health inequalities strategy, oversaw major reviews of planning policy for London, and chaired London’s European Social Fund and European Regional Development Fund Committees. Alex became a member (through distinction) of the UK Faculty of Public Health in 2012.

Alex’s work with the Mayor’s Office, National Institute for Clinical Excellence, Greater London Alcohol and Drugs Alliance and as a London Child Poverty Commissioner offer him unique insights into the long-term social determinants of health, matched only by his passion for fairness and equality.

Marijke Miles:  For over 25 years, Marijke Miles has worked with young people with SEND in many different settings and sectors. Currently Head Teacher of Baycroft School, a school for secondary aged students with learning and sensory difficulties and autism, she was previously Head Teacher of Prospect School, a secondary school for boys with SEMH. Both have become known as centres for excellence for supporting young people and their families, particularly for children in care, as well as training units for student social workers from the Universities of Chichester and Winchester. She is known for her innovative practice which has featured in several books, and she is in demand as both a speaker and writer. As Chair of the NAHT SEND Council and a member of the National Forum for Neuroscience in Special Education she contributes intellectual and moral advocacy into SEND practice, provision and strategy. Marijke will outline how school leaders can help to build an inclusive London for children with SEND.

Angi Gibson: Head Teacher of Hadrian Park Primary School in North Tyneside and Vice-President of NAHT, President of NAHT from September 2025.  Throughout her career, Angi has been driven by a simple, powerful belief: every child matters, every day. Inclusion is the foundation of her work — in her school, in the wider community, and now on the national stage.

Originally from a working-class background, Angi’s values of hard work, honesty and determination were shaped by her family and community. After beginning her career in engineering, she moved into teaching out of a desire to make a difference where it matters most. She believes passionately that education must help children see beyond their circumstances — and that opportunity must never depend on a postcode.

Under Angi’s leadership, Hadrian Park has become known for its commitment to equity, kindness, and inclusion. She has championed bicycles as a symbol of equality — helping children connect with their community, stay active, and experience freedom regardless of their background.

As NAHT President, Angi leads with heart and fire, focused on meaningful action rather than titles or photo opportunities. Her priorities are clear: to reform inspection and accountability, improve pay and funding, address recruitment and retention challenges, secure investment in safe school buildings, strengthen SEND support, and tackle workload so that staff and children can thrive. As she says: “These aren’t wish lists — these are non-negotiables.”

Angi’s presidency is a call to action — to fight for the best for every child, and to ensure that no child is left behind.  In our conference today, Angi will share how she has built an inclusive school in a northern city and used cycling as, quite literally, a vehicle for change.

Agenda