This weekend, 1-3 May, hundreds of school leaders from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will gather at the ICC in Belfast, representing NAHT’s nearly 40,000 strong membership across all three nations, to debate and vote on motions covering the matters of the moment in education.

NAHT – the UK’s largest school leaders’ union – has been supported in delivering its Annual Conference by Visit Belfast.

The conference is supported by the Belfast & Northern Ireland conference subvention scheme from Belfast City Council & Tourism Northern Ireland, administered by Visit Belfast.

As well as discussing educational topics ranging from SEND, Ofsted, screen time / social media and phone use, to countering the far right and extremism, pay, and school funding, delegates will also be attending a tour of the city, and will be visiting numerous Belfast restaurants for regional dinners.

More than 500 delegates, staff and exhibitors will be in attendance.

While in Belfast, NAHT delegates will hear from Paul Doherty, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, and will use the occasion of their annual gala dinner to raise awareness and funds for his charity Foodstock, which combats poverty in West Belfast.

NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman commented: “We are delighted to be travelling to Belfast for our Annual Conference this year, and are very grateful to Visit Belfast for rolling out the welcome mat for us and our members. Their support has been invaluable in organising our event. We very much look forward to sampling the delights of Belfast’s tourism and hospitality during the weekend we are there.”

Judith Abraham, Head of Business Events for Visit Belfast, said: “We are delighted to welcome the National Association of Head Teachers to Belfast for the first time. As a city with strong educational foundations and a growing reputation for innovation, Belfast provides an ideal setting for school leaders to connect, share ideas, and shape the future of education.

“Beyond our world‑class venues and excellent connectivity, Belfast offers a warm welcome and a strong culture of collaboration. We look forward to delegates experiencing the city, engaging in meaningful discussions, and taking home lasting impressions of both the conference and the destination.”