Thriving Not Surviving: Remembering Who We Are
Lead Well.  Live Well.  Thrive.

School leadership is demanding, but it doesn't have to be unsustainable.

Join us for an inspiring and practical day that will help you leave with fresh perspectives, actionable ideas and renewed confidence to lead yourself, your staff and your school successfully.

Thrive, not just survive in a challenging leadership role.

• Prioritise your wellbeing so you can lead others more effectively.
• Lead with authenticity, confidence and purpose.
• Build resilience through practical habits and strategies.
• Create a positive culture by modelling healthy leadership behaviours.
• Invest in your leadership. Invest in yourself. Book your place today.
   

Leave with fresh perspectives, actionable ideas and renewed confidence to lead yourself, your staff and your school successfully.

Invest in your leadership. Invest in yourself. Book your place today.

Book for 4 December 2026

Click here for booking terms, conditions and code of conduct.

Time: 9.30am - 4.15pm
Venue: The Hospitium, Museum Gardens, York, YO30 7DR

Members:  £60.00
Non-members:  £75.00

Lunch and refreshments are included within the ticket price.

Welcome to our Speakers

Lisa Read

Lisa is an award-winning experienced ICF professionally certified coach and trainer. Leader of Real Clear – a coaching and training company that works with socially minded organisations – Lisa has worked with 1000s of people including MPs, MEPs, Headteachers, Teachers, Charity leaders and more.

Through Real Clear, Lisa specialises in leadership programmes, resilience, emotional intelligence, understanding human behaviour and mental fitness. Her unique ‘Four Core Muscles of Mental Fitness’ model is rooted in neuroscience and based on years of study, research, working with people, plus her own lived experience.
Lisa is a qualified teacher, and experienced special needs co-ordinator and senior leader. She also volunteers as Vice Chair of Governors for a large secondary school, and for nearly ten years led the continuing professional development group for all coaching professionals in South Yorkshire. 

Proud to be an Associate trainer for the UK's largest coaching school: The Coaching Academy, Lisa wrote and delivers the Neuroscience for Coaches CPD (based on her neuroscience training) and also Coaching Leaders within Education. Lisa also regularly delivers webinars and peer to peer sessions on International Coach Federation (ICF) competencies.

Dave Woods, NAHT  President

Dave Woods is currently the head teacher at Beaconsfield Primary School in Southall, London, and is NAHT’s vice-president for 2025/26. He started his career training and working in Sydney, Australia, and now has 27 years’ experience in the UK, where he has dedicated his career to leading in communities of diversity, deprivation and challenge, first in east London and now in west London, always with a focus on aspiration and inclusion for all.

Dave is extremely passionate about his work in education. Under his leadership, Beaconsfield Primary has doubled in size, expanded its specialist resource provision and strengthened its role at the heart of the local community. For Dave, inclusion is non-negotiable: every child, every family and every member of staff must feel supported, seen and inspired. He expects all staff to be aspirational in their outlook – modelling high expectations and belief in what all pupils can achieve.

The first in his family to attend university, Dave chose teaching over forensic science after a day at a primary classroom convinced him of where he could make the greatest impact. This commitment drives his belief that government investment in education is an investment in the nation’s future, and that failed policies of austerity and underfunding harm both children and wider society.

 Paul Whiteman – NAHT General Secretary 

Paul Whiteman took over as General Secretary of NAHT in September 2017.  NAHT represents the majority of school leaders in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Paul leads all of NAHT’s campaigns to improve schools for everyone, including the campaigns to achieve a fair funding settlement for schools, improving the systems of accountability and improving the recruitment and retention of teachers and leaders.  

Prior to taking over as general secretary, Paul was NAHT’s director of representation and advice, a post he held for five years. The representation and advice team includes regional officers, organisers, the advice team and the legal team, helping to promote NAHT’s voice across the country while providing highly-regarded assistance and protection to members when needed.

Before joining NAHT, Paul spent a decade as a national official at the FDA, the union for civil servants. He has a first-class grasp of education issues as well as many years’ experience in the wider trade union movement.
 

 Rob Kelsall - NAHT Assistant General Secretary

Robert Kelsall is a senior trade union leader dedicated to improving the lives of school leaders, the communities they serve, and the children and young people at the heart of education. As Assistant General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), Robert has been at the forefront of national campaigns on school funding, Ofsted reform, and SEND provision, ensuring that the voices of educators are heard where decisions are made.
With more than two decades of experience in organising, bargaining, and public advocacy, Robert has led NAHT’s growth from 26,000 to over 39,000 members and delivered successful industrial action across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey and the Isle of Man, winning improved pay, professional respect, and support for school leaders.
Robert has played a key role in supporting members through some of the most challenging moments in recent education history, including the Trojan Horse and extremism in schools investigations, and the rise in protests targeting LGBT+ inclusion in schools. His commitment to standing up for members, protecting children’s rights, and defending inclusive education has made him a trusted and respected voice across the education sector.
 

Programme*

*Programme subject to change

Book for 4 December 2026

Click here for booking terms, conditions and code of conduct.