This year’s Annual Conference in Belfast comes at a pivotal moment for school leaders. In the latest issue of Leadership Focus, we explore the key themes members will be debating, from special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms and Ofsted to workload, funding, pay and the wider political landscape.

As NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman notes, now that the government’s SEND proposals in the white paper have been published, members will have the chance to discuss them in more detail and help shape our response, highlighting where the government has got things right and where it has got things wrong.

The feature also examines Northern Ireland’s recent successes, including pay restoration and workload reforms, and how these wins demonstrate the impact of sustained collective action.

We also hear from Wales, where concerns about devolved funding and political uncertainty sit alongside a wider darkening mood in England, as leaders express growing frustration with tight budgets, policy stasis and the slow pace of change.

Finally, the article looks ahead to the point at Annual Conference when it will be confirmed that Dave Woods will succeed Angi Gibson as NAHT president – ahead of him formally taking up the role in September – a moment to reflect on a year focused on restoring joy and pride in school leadership and to look ahead to themes of internationalism, ambition and building a better future for education.