Stuart Allen, Exeter Maths School, Maths Teacher

Stuart Allen, Exeter Maths School, Maths Teacher

Jon Atkinson - SalamanderSoft

Jon Atkinson - SalamanderSoft

Jon is the Head of Operations for SalamanderSoft and heads the teams that build, deliver and supports the company's Integrations solutions. Having spent almost 15 years supporting the needs of Schools and other academic establishments, Jon brings a broad range of technical experience and passion to the role.

Becki Bawler - Secondary Teacher and MIEE

Becki Bawler - Secondary Teacher and MIEE

Becki is a secondary teacher in Wales with a background in MFL and RE, now teaching ICT and leading the digital strategy and DCF in her school. Becki has supported several schools in their own digital journey as part of the local consortium support offer and was named as one of the EdTech50 educators this year. Becki is an MIEE and Microsoft Trainer as well as a Google Level 2 Educator and ambassador for Flipgrid and Wakelet.

She is a vocal supporter of the new Welsh curriculum and our National Hwb platform, and a proud member of the GECFutures gang. Oh, and in her spare time she is currently completing an EdD focusing on staff skills in the digital age of teaching!

Neil Beck - National Star College

Neil Beck - National Star College

Neil’s role at National Star is to provide an Assistive Technology outreach service to schools, colleges and individuals. This has seen a number of exciting challenges including European projects to share best practice and pioneering work in India. Through his split role he provides similar services to Natspec through their TechAbility programme, helping to create the ground-breaking TechAbility Standards and delivering a wide range of webinars to the community of specialist colleges and Karten Centres. He has been involved in bringing the needs of those with SEND to the DfE initially through the APPGAT and then through the EdTech Demonstrators programme, both advising on accessibility and now delivering elements of this through National Star.

James Beevor - Teacher, Cornerstone

James Beevor - Teacher, Cornerstone

James Beevor has been a teacher with Cornerstone Trust for seven years and is currently a Year 5 teacher, after spending his first three years teaching in Year 4. His engagement with technology in his classroom has been a core part of his teaching practice and through working at Cornerstone he has been able to utilise technology extensively, integrating it into the classroom.

At Cornerstone, James is subject leader for Project Based Learning across the trust. As such, he takes responsibility for ensuring pupils across the trust engage in a project rich curriculum, with lots of opportunities to apply 21st Century Skills. He has also upheld links with international partners to make these projects successful around the world.

Most recently he has introduced 3D printing to Cornerstone & has embedded this exciting new technology into the classroom and into projects throughout KS2.

Steve Beswick - Surface Business Development Director - Microsoft

Steve Beswick - Surface Business Development Director - Microsoft

Steve Beswick is the Business Development Director for Surface technologies in EMEA and based in the UK. He has been working for Microsoft for 26 years. He graduated from Lancaster University in 1984 with a Bsc. Hons in Environmental Science. He started his career in IT working for a computer reseller just when the IBM PC became popular for use in business.

Steve’s career began at Microsoft in 1993 when he accepted the role of NHS Account Manager. With 26 years’ experience in Microsoft, Steve has gained a wealth of experience in various sales management roles, including managing the finance sales team. For six years Steve was a Partner Director working with the likes of HP, Accenture, Dell etc.

Steve then progressed to be the Director of Education between 2006-2016. Steve was responsible for implementing Microsoft’s worldwide vision for education: “Enable every student on the Planet to achieve more.” He was responsible for developing Microsoft’s strategies for UK schools, colleges and universities. This included sales, marketing, channels, programmes and investments, working with Government, and working closely with partners that develop solutions for the Education sector.

In 2017 Steve moved to a new role within the worldwide Education team. Based in the UK he is responsible for developing the Surface device business within the Education vertical for EMEA.

In 2009 Steve received the Microsoft Chairman’s Award for the UK, presented by Steve Ballmer, CEO Microsoft Corporation, for his contribution to the Microsoft Education business in the UK.

Steve is married to Naomi with 2 children Billy (24) and Hattie (28) and Leon (Grandchild) . Outside of work Steve enjoys golf, football and fishing.

Phil Birchinall - Senior Director of Immersive Content, Discovery Education UK

Phil Birchinall - Senior Director of Immersive Content, Discovery Education UK

Phil has been an educator and award winning EdTech innovation leader for almost 30 years, developing and bringing high impact content into the classroom, most recently at the forefront of immersive technologies such as augmented and virtual reality.

Prior to joining Discovery Education, Phil was managing director of Inspyro Limited. Inspyro was a specialist immersive technology company, developing Bett Award winning content and apps for education. As Education Director of Computeam limited, Phil ensured the design and delivery of technology services to schools were properly aligned to defined education outcomes. He has managed innovation initiatives for local, national and international government and corporate institutions such as the European Community, BT Global, Fujitsu, The Commonwealth Games and Capita. He has classroom, senior school management and local authority management experience. Prior to his education career, he served in the Army Air Corps.

Phil studied industrial design, film and TV at the college of Ripon and York St John and lives in Manchester. His favourite subject at school was science and his favourite teacher was Mr. Cooper who in the 1970’s was light years ahead in his understanding of how children learn and bringing innovation to his science teaching.

Craig Butler, UK Business Manager, Netsweeper

Craig Butler, UK Business Manager, Netsweeper

Craig Butler is the UK Business Development Manager for Netsweeper. He has worked in the web filtering and safeguarding market place since 2014. Craig has worked with Local Authorities and Schools to help deliver and exceed the requirement that Educator requires when it comes to Online Digital Safety.

Jonathan Butler - Assistant Principal Wilberforce Sixth Form College

Jonathan Bishop - CEO, Cornerstone

Jonathan Bishop - CEO, Cornerstone

Jonathan Bishop is CEO and Executive Headteacher of the Cornerstone Academy Trust. Its founding school, Broadclyst Primary School, is a Microsoft Showcase School and as a Microsoft Innovative Educator, Jonathan pioneered the use of digital technologies in the classroom for many years. His schools employ the use of one-to-one Microsoft Pro Surfaces to deliver a project-based curriculum that fully utilises the power of Office365 tools. He runs the Global Enterprise Challenge with thousands of children working together in teams to run a company, collaborating and competing to make their ideas the most successful globally. Digital technologies underpin the management of the Academy Trust, the collaboration between staff and the teaching and learning; at school and beyond the school day.

Jonathan is a National Leader of Education, leads the Cornerstone Teaching School, BCPS Edtech Demonstrator Programme, English Hub, Science Learning Partnership and is opening a new Free School that will be a Microsoft Flagship School.

Peter Bradburn, IT and Commincation Leader, Aspire Academy Trust

Peter Bradburn, IT and Commincation Leader, Aspire Academy Trust

Peter leads the IT and Communication Teams at Aspire Academy Trust, a MAT of 28 primaries located in Cornwall. With a background in industry as well as primary and secondary education, Peter has worked at Aspire since its inception in 2011. His enthusiastic knowledge of all things EdTech has helped to shape the strategic direction of the trust.

Kate Bodle, Teacher

Kate Bodle, Teacher

Kate Bodle has been a teacher for over 26 years and during that time has always enjoyed learning new ideas and techniques to help the learning of her pupils. As a Specialist Dyslexia teacher and someone who trains teachers in SPLD moving from hands on learning to online learning has been a challenge. Recently she became a Microsoft Innovative Educator and has applied for further awards in this area. She is currently a Deputy Headteacher in a small private school, continues to train others in how to make classrooms inclusive and now shares her knowledge on EdTech where she can! Twitter @katebodle Instagram @MrsBteachandlearn

This session will explore how you can use Seesaw in a multi-sensory way to enhance the learning of all children and how, by harnessing the power and flexibility of Wakelet, this powerful combination can ensure that the children can maximise learning potential. The session will give a brief overview of Seesaw and Wakelet showing practical examples of lessons involving both. It will be suitable for users of either platform, for teachers of small groups, whole classes or individual learners.

Jess Boyce - Educator Innovation Lead, FlipGrid | Microsoft

Jess Boyce - Educator Innovation Lead, FlipGrid | Microsoft

Jess Boyce is a former secondary maths teacher, who now serves as an Educator Innovation Lead on Team Flipgrid. She is passionate about technology in education and trying new things. She works with teachers to make their classrooms as fun and innovative as possible! She lives in Florida, USA and loves reading and spending time at the beach!

Peter Bradburn - Director of IT & Communications, Aspire Academy Trust

Peter Bradburn - Director of IT & Communications, Aspire Academy Trust

Peter leads the IT and Communication Teams at Aspire Academy Trust, a MAT of 28 primaries located in Cornwall. With a background in industry as well as primary and secondary education, Peter has worked at Aspire since its inception in 2011. His enthusiastic knowledge of all things EdTech has helped to shape the strategic direction of the trust.

Sam Chapman - Chair of Local School Board

Sam Chapman - Chair of Local School Board

Samantha joined her trustee's board in September 2018. She is the Chair of the Local Advisory Board.  She has a background in teaching and education and currently works for Babcock Education with responsibility for improving outcomes for disadvantaged children and has particular expertise in the early years.  

Teresa Cavallo - Head of Children's Services, Cornerstone

Teresa Cavallo - Head of Children's Services, Cornerstone

Teresa Cavallo has taught within Cornerstone Trust for 14 years and is currently on the Senior Leadership Team and assumes the role of Head of Children’s Services across the Trust. As such, she is responsible for leading the SEND Team which includes two additional SENDCos, School Nurse, Educational Psychologist, and a Speech and Language Therapist.

She brings a depth and breadth of teaching experience including the support of children with SEND and parental engagement. She contributes to the strategic development of the school with a focus on inclusion and equality, ensuring that the standards of teaching and quality of support for children with SEN is high on the agenda.

Teresa has worked closely with Tracey Wills, School Nurse to develop the PSHE and RSE policies and offer across the Trust. She develops the SEND and Mental Health CPD programme delivers SEND CPD to staff, alongside the SEND Team

Abdul Chohan - Director of ThinkSimple Ltd

Abdul Chohan - Director of ThinkSimple Ltd

Abdul Chohan is the Director of ThinkSimple Ltd. The organisation works with school leaders and Ministries of Education to develop operational efficiencies and innovative learning approaches in education using mobile technology.

Abdul is a former teacher of 20 years and is the Co-founder of a primary free school in Bolton, UK. He is also a former Principal and CEO of a multi academy trust based in the UK.

He is known for his pioneering work on mobile based learning at Essa Academy, Bolton, UK. Since then he has worked with a number of international educational organisations as well as devising learning strategies based on mobile technology platforms. His programmes focus on the idea of ‘Changing Beliefs’ through ‘Simplicity and Reliability’ and have extended beyond the traditional school environment to impact families and the the wider communities that the schools serve.

More recently he has published a paper on ‘digitising effective feedback’ published in the Chartered College journal. Recent workshops on mobile based learning also include, ‘Operational efficiencies in education’ and ‘Evidence based consistency’. Apple refers to Abdul as ‘one of the most innovative educators in the world’

In 2011, his work at Essa Academy won the award under the ‘Outstanding ICT Learning Initiative’ by the The Times Education Awards of 2011

The BBC’s Technology correspondent, Rory Cellan-Jones’s interview with Abdul provides a deep insight into the learning approaches that have been implemented.

Through ThinkSimple Ltd Abdul provides strategy for leadership teams across the globe in order to ensure that a successful family based learning programme with iPads is achieved. The impact of this is on Leadership and organisation has led the way in its development of learning technologies, with a 1:1 family iPad programme and AppleTVs as a learning solution that allows the use of 21st century learning resources and streamlined productivity in a educational setting, yet accessible from anywhere.

He endorses equipping staff and students with tablet devices that allow for a range of benefits from cost efficiencies to expanding data and knowledge access. It also allows for a radical change in approach to space in mind: moving away from traditional offices to create more fluid areas that maximise the capabilities of new technologies to minimise the need for fixed location working.

Abdul has engaged with a number of Ministries of Education including India, Australia, Singapore and Iceland in a range of activities including workshops and thought leadership conversations. Abdul currently supports schools in the UK, Sweden, United Arab Emirates and India with the development of a clear mobile based learning strategy .

Abi Copley - Teacher, Cornerstone

Abi Copley - Teacher, Cornerstone

Abigail Copley is in her NQT year and teaching Year 2 within the Cornerstone Academy Trust. Her previous experience includes being a Teacher Assistant in a Special Educational Needs school and a key worker in a nursery. From her time as a teaching assistant at the Special Educational Needs School and her background with SEND, Abigail has spent time with children on a one to one basis and in small groups which has developed her passion for ensuring that all children can access the curriculum they need. This has taught her the importance of using accessibility tools within her teaching regularly.

Sean Collins, Danesfield School

Sean Collins, Danesfield School

I have been involved in school governance for 10 years working with a wide variety of schools and governing bodies to help them to create ambitious school visions and the structures of oversight to see them come to fruition. I have been Chair of Governors for 7 years at Danesfield School during its journey to become one of the leading schools in the country, in that time it has been awarded an Outstanding Ofsted judgment and been selected as one of the first 20 Ed Tech Demonstrator Schools.

Michael Cronk - Teacher Co-ordinator, Royal Academy of Engineering

Michael Cronk - Teacher Co-ordinator, Royal Academy of Engineering

Originally trained as a product designer, I worked as a Design and Technology teacher for seven years. I have been Head of Computer Science at Colyton for almost six years and I have moved the department from ICT to CS, introduced an A Level course and expanded the GCSE programme. These experiences have naturally led me towards robotics, and I have a great passion for using robotics in the as a way of introducing engineering and computer science to students. I have also been a Teacher Coordinator for the Royal Academy of Engineering Connecting STEM Teachers Programme for five years.

Emma Darcy- Director of Technology for Learning, Chiltern Learning Trust

Emma Darcy- Director of Technology for Learning, Chiltern Learning Trust

Emma Darcy is Director of Technology for Learning at Denbigh High School and the Chiltern Learning Trust. Working on both the Leadership Team in the school and across the other ten schools in the Chiltern Learning Trust, Emma supports staff and pupils with their use of technology across the curriculum. Her pupils have previously been shortlisted for the Tech4Good Awards, as Radio 1 Teen Heroes and won five times at the national Apps For Good Awards. Teaching practice at Denbigh featured in both the Chartered College of Teaching’s EdTech edition of Impact magazine and in the “Using Technology in Evidence-Based Teaching and Learning” and “Leadership of Education Technology in Schools” online courses. In 2019, Denbigh became an EdTech 50 School and was also selected by UNESCO as an international Best Practice Case Study for “Developing and delivering a successful technology for learning strategy in the UK.” This year the school has become a DfE EdTech Demonstrator School.

Matt Davies - Deputy Head, Treorchy Secondary

Matt Davies - Deputy Head, Treorchy Secondary

Tonia Dudley - Teacher, and Phase Leader, Cornerstone

Tonia Dudley - Teacher, and Phase Leader, Cornerstone

Tonia has been a teacher for 15 years and her passion for teaching the youngest children, has been the backbone of her career and where she has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience of children and their early development. Tonia is the Early Years Phase Lead for the Trust and has become an SLE and a Lead Practitioner in Early Years, specialising in supporting the transitions of children in their first years at school. She recognises the importance of establishing a curriculum that is engaging and purposeful, whilst ensuring that assessments and observations are used effectively to ensure good progress. She is passionate about the need for effective communication and relationships between parents and teachers and acknowledges that allowing parents access to their child’s learning and development, is key to effective collaboration. Tonia is also one of our Literacy Specialists and supports the English Hub in delivering conferences, network events and supporting schools in delivering their Phonics Programmes.

Sharon Doughty, Dotcom

Sharon Doughty, Dotcom

Sharon is a former television presenter and motivational speaker who presented at Tedx Norwich

2019. She is the founder of the Dot Com Children’s Foundation and creator of a range of resources which empower children to speak up about issues that frighten or worry them!

She is an adviser to the police nationally about the safeguarding of children and is currently working with 2Simple to turn the range of paper based resources which have a strong track record with schools into a digital wellbeing programme. The new digital resource has already been cited in DFE guidance for teaching online safety!

In 2014/15 as a journalist and survivor of child abuse she was appointed media spokesperson and panel member advising the government on the setting up of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse under the Home Secretary Theresa May!

Hosting and chairing events for the government and police on safeguarding issues for women and children began in 2000 when Sharon co-chaired the ‘Enough is Enough’ Domestic Violence conference with Sir John Stevens for 600 global stakeholders. She is currently a consultant on the safeguarding group to the Chief Constable of Essex, Steven Kavanagh who leads the national strategy on digital crime

Ken Dyson - Trustee, Cornerstone

Ken Dyson - Trustee, Cornerstone

Ken joined the governors in 2010 and is the Chair of both a Standards Committee and Local Advisory Board.  He also sits on a Personnel and Admissions & Ethos sub-committees.  He is now retired but worked as an HMI Inspector for schools in England for 18 years, including 5 years as the national lead for ICT and as a regulator for Ofsted Inspections. He has a wealth of experience from working with various national educational bodies. 

Paul Edge - Assistant Headteacher, Ribblesdale High

Paul Edge - Assistant Headteacher, Ribblesdale High

Paul has been a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Ribblesdale High School since 2011 and has fulfilled a range of different roles, whilst continually leading the use of technology across the organisation. However, he is a ‘technology pragmatist’, try it, measure the impact, evaluate it, adopt or drop! Paul continues to hold the position as leader of Curriculum and EdTech at Ribblesdale, which has encompassed the successful rollout of Office 365 and a parental supported Windows 10 one-to-one device scheme, for over 1300 students. He also now fulfils a dual role, working closely with Microsoft, and also holds the position as Project Lead within Ribblesdale, for the DfE EdTech Demonstrator Schools Programme.

Follow Paul on twitter: @Paul_A_Edge

Jimmy Edwards - Head of Computer Science & IT at Hele’s MIE Fellow South West

Jimmy Edwards - Head of Computer Science & IT at Hele’s MIE Fellow South West

Brief biography (100 words): I have been a teacher since 2007, I currently work at Hele's School in Plymouth in the South West of England as Head of Computer Science & IT. I have been part of the Microsoft Innovative Expert Educator Program/Community since 2008 and have played an active part in the community since then. I am the MIE Fellow for the South West of England. I am incredibly passionate about education and technology. I love working with inspirational people who push the boundaries and do things that other say can’t be done.

Chloe Farrant - Art Teacher and Global Projects Lead, Cornerstone

Chloe Farrant - Art Teacher and Global Projects Lead, Cornerstone

Chloe Farrant is a Lead Teacher with 15 years’ experience, Art Specialist and International Lead at Cornerstone Academy Trust. Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) for The Cornerstone Teaching School, SSAT Lead Practitioner and ETP facilitator. She Coordinates the Global Enterprise Challenge (GEC) and the Global Communities Project (GCP), Leads and develops the Creative Arts Curriculum, and mentors new teachers coming into the profession.

Chloe supports the growth of global learning, sustainability and using new technologies to bring schools together across the globe. She has led the schools through the British Councils International Schools Award accreditation and re-accreditation and has developed international partnerships with multiple schools through various projects, securing funding to enable mobilities to Ethiopia, Bangladesh and India. She has led on the GEC, with the support of Microsoft since it went global in 2014 each year connecting over 1000 pupils, across 4 continents in the competition.

As a primary teacher with a passion for visual art and as practising artist herself, Chloe has led in the development, support and design of the Art curriculum across the Trust. She leads in Artsmark and is an Arts Award adviser for Explore & Discover. Chloe is interested in the visual language of Art and how it brings people together across the world. She recognises the potential for using digital technologies within the teaching of art to increase pupil engagement and its importance and relevance within the wider curriculum and an increasingly digital world.

Trevor Finlay - Managing Director, Vision Asset Finance

Trevor Finlay - Managing Director, Vision Asset Finance

Trevor Finlay is the Managing Director at Vision Asset Finance. Trevor has over 20 years of experience in setting up ICT Leasing arrangements for schools throughout the UK and Ireland.

Abigail Fleming - Teacher, Cornerstone

Abigail Fleming - Teacher, Cornerstone

Abi Fleming is a Year 5 teacher and a music teaching lead across the Academy Trust. She has taken a lead on music within the trust teaching the curriculum across Key Stage 1 and 2 and has taken responsibility for the school choir at Yeo Valley. She has developed the choir through weekly curricular and extracurricular sessions and has provided the children with many opportunities for performance. Using online composition tools, resources and virtual teaching has greatly helped. This effective use of technology creates a better learning environment and improves student outcomes.

Taro Fujita - Senior Lecturer in Maths, Exeter University

Taro Fujita - Senior Lecturer in Maths, Exeter University

Ty Goddard - Ed Tech Demonstrator Programme

Ty Goddard - Ed Tech Demonstrator Programme

Sarah Gomersall - Teacher, Cornerstone

Sarah Gomersall - Teacher, Cornerstone

Sarah Gomersall has taught within Cornerstone Trust for 8 years and has spent time in both KS1 and KS2. For the past 3 years she has been working in year 1 as well as leading Modern Foreign Languages across the trust.

For the past year she has also been working as part of the English Hub as a Literacy Specialist. Her experience of working in year 1 has given her a strong grounding in reading and phonics which she is keen to share with other schools, to help raise standards across Somerset and Dorset.

Chris Goodwill - STEM Ambassador

Chris Goodwill - STEM Ambassador

Chris Goodwill is the Commercial Officer for Nexus a leading IT company and Microsoft Partner based in Exeter, Devon. With a background in engineering and telecommunications he also has a passion for the promotion of STEM activities and careers. He has run STEM workshops for youth groups, judged at the Tomorrow's Engineers Robotics Challenge and UK National Championships for VEX Robotics and is currently evaluating entries for the World Educational Robotics contest. A STEM Ambassador, Chris supports schools and colleges with events, is the Chair of the West Country Computing Hub and member of the Sidmouth Science Festival Steering Group. 

Session Title: STEM Competitions and Kits for the Classroom   

Ever wondered what STEM competitions there are taking place nationally and internationally right now? Within a digitally connected world there are superb opportunities for students, teachers and educators to take part in an amazing range of exciting and compelling competitive events. Chris will provide an overview of current competitions as well as highlighting those for the next academic year. Want to build a drone, hovercraft or robot? If you are looking for new and engaging STEM kits for the classroom, Chris will also showcase kits which can help inspire the next generation to consider STEM subjects and careers.

Richard Grazier - CEO, Community Brands

Richard Grazier - CEO, Community Brands

Richard has 26+ years of experience in the education technology sector. Currently Director of 12 companies, Richard has worked for some of the UKs most innovative, successful, and brightest brands: Granada Learning, Boardworks, AMI Education and now of course, Community Brands UK. He has held board level leadership roles across all aspects of the education technology sector for over 15 years and is purpose driven to help schools use technology to make a sustainable change and improve outcomes for all children.

Jim Green - SENDCo, Cornerstone

Jim Green - SENDCo, Cornerstone

Jim Green has been a SENDCo with Cornerstone Trust for two years, after a range of teaching and senior leadership roles in the mainstream and independent education sector. His involvement with technology started many years ago with the Microsoft ‘Anytime, Anywhere Learning’ initiative as a pioneer of introducing laptops into the hands of pupils in primary schools in the late 90’s. This then continued with looking at a wide range of IT solutions, including trialling interactive whiteboards when commissioned by the DfE, which had a huge impact on the way teacher deliver lessons in classrooms.

At Cornerstone, Jim is the SENDCo at our North Devon school campus. As part of his role, he looks at the way digital tools in Office 365 can be used to support teaching and learning across the Primary age range. With close collaborative working with pupils and teaching staff, this use of digital technology has impacted upon pupils’ learning and increasing their independent skills for the future.

Jim works closely with the SEND Team which includes Teresa Cavallo, Head of Children’s Services, our own Speech and Language Therapist, Educational Psychologist and School Nurse. The team is able to offer specialist support across a wide range of areas, including Mental Health and wellbeing.

Kate Griggs - CEO, Made by Dyslexia

Kate Griggs - CEO, Made by Dyslexia

Dawn Hallybone - Educational Consultant at 2Simple

Dawn Hallybone - Educational Consultant at 2Simple

Dawn is part of the 2Simple team, helping schools maximise the benefits of online technologies to advance approaches to both teaching and learning, whilst improving outcomes for learners of all ages. Prior to joining 2Simple, Dawn worked for London Grid for Learning as a learning resource consultant advising schools and teachers on how to maximise use of technology to energise teaching and learning, as well as developing wellbeing resources for schools and helping to organise and run a range of conferences and training events.

Dawn has over 23 years teaching experience working in Junior schools across London in a range of roles and for the last four years was Deputy Head, also spending time as an acting head. Within these roles Dawn also worked with both NQTs and trainee teachers developing and supporting their use of technology across the curriculum. Dawn is a firm believer that digital tools can both engage and enhance the curriculum for all learners, as well as enabling teachers to work smarter and has worked and consulted with a number of companies and authorities as well as sharing her expertise at conferences across the country. Dawn is also a Secondary school governor.

Mark Harrison - Teacher, Cornerstone

Mark Harrison - Teacher, Cornerstone

Mark Harrison has experience of teaching in Key Stages 1 and 2, having worked at schools in the West Midlands and South West. For the past 3 years he has been teaching with the Cornerstone Academy Trust, spending the majority of this time working in Year 3.

With a background in sport Mark also leads PE across the trust, sharing his passion for this aspect of the curriculum, in not only promoting the benefits of an active lifestyle to pupils but also inspiring pupils to individual and team success in a range of events. This ranges from launching trust wide activity challenges to engage more pupils in regular activity, to taking a school football team to play at Wembley Stadium before the EFL League 2 Play-off final as part of a national competition. Mark recognises the value digital technologies can bring to this role, both in order to work closely with staff across multiple schools to co-ordinate delivery and organisation of the subject and to enhance the experience of pupils in their PE lessons through the use of innovative equipment and video as teaching tools.

Michael Heard - SCOMIS

Michael Heard - SCOMIS

Michael joined the Scomis Group as Education Business Partner in early 2018, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge about the education sector from his previous role at Capita SIMS where he worked for the previous 7 years. As a self-motivated individual, Michael strives to become a trusted partner with Scomis customers. He also supports his local primary school as a School Governor.

Darren Hemming - Teaching and Learning Consultant at Cloud Design Box

Darren Hemming - Teaching and Learning Consultant at Cloud Design Box

Darren is a former teacher of Modern Languages and ICT. As a passionate advocate of blended learning, he has led several large scale learning platform projects for local authorities and for Building Schools for the Future.

Gary Henderson - Scomis Consultant

Gary Henderson - Scomis Consultant

Before joining Scomis Gary Henderson was a teacher for 34 years in a number of schools from the Midlands to Cornwall. He has over 14 years’ experience at a senior level in three Cornish Secondary schools where he has led Curriculum, Assessment, Strategic Data and Timetabling. These schools have ranged in size from around 640 to over 1400.  He is familiar with many of the day to day challenges that schools face. Gary has also worked as a Local Authority Adviser working alongside a variety of  Primary, Secondary and Special Schools.

Session: Managing Staff Workload in Times of Change

Staff are our most valuable resource and as leaders we have a duty to promote their well-being. Gary's session will focus on some practical, but simple ways he has used to encourage staff well-being and improve efficiency focusing on Gary’s mantra of #10MinsADay.

Felicity Higgins - Met Office

Felicity Higgins - Met Office

Felicity leads the Met Office’s award-winning Education Outreach programme and recently managed the development and launch of Met Office for schools, our new set of online curriculum-linked resources for use in the classroom. Before joining the Met Office College, Felicity worked in Climate Services, bringing bespoke interpretation and analysis of climate science to a range of customers. With experience in the transport, health and local government sectors, Felicity helped organisations identify the threats and opportunities climate change could bring both in the UK and around the world, providing the confidence to make appropriate adaptation decisions.

Giles Hill - Digital Learning Lead, Aspire Academy Trust

Giles Hill - Digital Learning Lead, Aspire Academy Trust

Giles and the Aspire Academy Trust have been offering ICT-based CPD to primary education staff for a number of years, most recently under the Digital Learning Cornwall badge. He combines an interesting mix of skills: tech journalism; multimedia and interface design; experienced and practising classroom teacher. Giles understands that schools need to be empowered to make well-informed, independent, practical choices; to implement technologies that genuinely enhance teaching and learning processes for children and staff who are not tech-specialists. Giles spearheaded Mount Hawke Academy’s successful application to be part of the first twenty DfE EdTech Demonstrator Schools.

Charlie James - Learning Technologist at Basingstoke College of Technology

Charlie James - Learning Technologist at Basingstoke College of Technology

Charlie is a Learning Technologist at Basingstoke College of Technology, a Google Reference College in the South East of England. A strong believer in student-centered learning, Charlie has an affinity for technologies and approaches which empower and accommodate all learners. Charlie also has a keen interest in AI and machine learning, social media and the uses of data within education, and is proud to work with the National Society of Apprentices as part of the Leadership Team.

Gareth James - Head of Partnerships. BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

Gareth James - Head of Partnerships. BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

Gareth looks after partnerships for the NCCE and the BCS. He joined the BCS from The Institute of Coding digital skills project. Prior to that he helped establish the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, having supported the original BBC project whilst Head of Education at the IET, where he also led and developed many STEM initiatives including the IET Faraday programme and the FIRST LEGO League competition. He has also worked for the Research Councils on their educational programmes around astronomy and particle physics and ran the education department at the National Space Centre. Once upon a time he was a science teacher.

Will Jordan - Co-Founder, IMP Software

Will Jordan - Co-Founder, IMP Software

Will Jordan FCCA has worked with Academies and MATs since the first ‘phase two’ Academies opened in September 2010. As a Qualified Accountant and Financial Technology specialist, Will now works with established Multi Academy Trusts to strengthen their financial planning and reporting processes by replacing legacy software with MAT specific, agile tools.

Becky Keene - Project Manager, i2eEDU

Becky Keene - Project Manager, i2eEDU

Becky Keene’s current role is Director of Content and Professional Learning for insight2execution, a Microsoft Global Training Partner and vendor based in Redmond, Washington. She works as a project manager for content development for worldwide edtech companies as well manages i2e’s professional learning specialists, training engagements, and implementation planning for systemic change with major school systems around the United States.

Caroline Keep - Teacher and the Director of Spark School

Caroline Keep - Teacher and the Director of Spark School

Caroline is a teacher and the Director of Spark School #Makerspace (the first of it's kind in the UK), Founder of the National Festival for Digital Making #Makefest, passionate advocate for eradicating the digital divide.

Victoria Kennard - Teacher and Literacy Specialist, Cornerstone

Victoria Kennard - Teacher and Literacy Specialist, Cornerstone

Vicky is a Year 2 teacher and the Key Stage 1 lead across our Academy Trust. As a Literacy Specialist she has supported the English Hub’s strategic plan for sharing best practice across a network of schools focusing on; developing language and closing the word gap, developing early reading through systematic synthetic phonics and promoting a love of reading. Integrating the use of online resources and virtual learning has been an integral part of this agenda.

As an MIE Expert Vicky understands the importance of integrating technology into the classroom and building resources that support student-centred learning aligning to 21st Century Skills. She has first-hand experience of using Office 365 technologies to support learning and problem solving, with this being an integral part of both her own and the Trust’s vision.

Michael Kimber - SLP Lead, Teacher and MIEE, Cornerstone

Michael Kimber - SLP Lead, Teacher and MIEE, Cornerstone

Michael has been leading the Science Learning Partnership since its formation in 2018. He is passionate about ensuring every child has access to a quality Science education and has been researching and developing the role that student voice has within STEM over recent months.

Michael is a STEM Learning Associate Facilitator, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and certified educator, a Flipgrid Student Voice ambassador and an Explorify Champion. When not teaching at the Cornerstone Academy Trust or leading on Science in the region, he can often be found speaking at events or running STEM or Computing professional development opportunities.

Michael coordinates all of the Science Learning Partnership opportunities and is in communication with a range of Science teaching experts and partners in the area to provide you with the highest-quality, DfE approved, CPD.

Jennifer King - UK Schools Engagement Lead at Microsoft

Jennifer King - UK Schools Engagement Lead at Microsoft

Jennifer King is an award-winning, international thought leader in Education with 20 years of experience in the education sector from classroom to corporations. She is passionate about the success of students and their teachers and how the power of technology can transform the way they work and learn. Jennifer was previously the Head of Film and Media at Strode’s College in Surrey before starting her own education consultancy. JKES was a Microsoft Education Partner with a focus on digital transformation, project based learning, and teacher professional development. Jennifer is also the creator of the Student Teacher Education Program. She has been the Schools Engagement lead for the UK since October 2019 after returning from Microsoft Corp in Seattle, where she was the Director of Education in the 21st Century Jobs, Skills, and Employability.

Chris Knowlton - Stream Product Lead, Microsoft

Chris Knowlton - Stream Product Lead, Microsoft

Chris is a Program Manager in the Microsoft Stream product group, focusing on Education. He has been working in the field of streaming media for the last 20 years, 12 of those at Microsoft, focused on providing strategic solutions to real-world customer challenges.

John Laramy, Principal and Chief Executive, Exeter College

John Laramy, Principal and Chief Executive, Exeter College

John Laramy is Principal and Chief Executive of Exeter College, a position he has held since 2016. John has been at the College since 2009.

John sits on a national steering group for executive leadership in Further Education, a collaborative between the Education & Training Foundation and the Oxford Said Business School.  In July 2019, John became a Director of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.

John holds a BSc (Hons) in Construction Management from the University of the West of England and an MSc in Educational Leadership from the University of Leicester.  He is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Building.

Dale Lawson - Teacher, Cornerstone

Dale Lawson - Teacher, Cornerstone

Dale Lawson has been teaching within the Cornerstone Academy Trust for 4 years, having also trained with the trust on their School Direct program. As well as having predominantly taught within Year 4, Dale's enthusiasm for linking the natural world and digital resources helps him lead Humanities within trust and support on Outdoor Learning.

From Virtual Reality tours to Minecraft for Education lessons, Dale endeavours to utilise the breadth of digital resources available when educating the children of his class. He shares new technologies through CPD sessions with the trust and is a keen advocate for using technology in the classroom.

Katie Lawson - Teacher and MIEE, Cornerstone

Katie Lawson - Teacher and MIEE, Cornerstone

Katie has been a teacher at The Cornerstone Academy Trust since 2013 and her real passion is being in the classroom with the children amongst their projects and engaging with their learning. At school she specialises in both Mathematics and Computing, and she is particularly interested in enthusing girls to love maths, as many are switched off - even at primary school level. Whilst at school, Katie has also helped develop ‘Digital Leaders’: children who are enhancing their Digital Literacy through coding and specific programmes.

Katie recently began leading the Microsoft Training Academy through the Cornerstone Academy Trust and delivers many courses to support schools in Microsoft programmes, offering bespoke training to those who need it. She is also a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE), a Microsoft Trainer and supports colleagues in their training through the National Computing Hub for the South West.

Having worked for the Trust for several years, Katie uses this experience to support in offering tips and support to new teachers through the NQT programme, whilst also focusing on the growth of the Microsoft Training Academy. With three young children at home, Katie has most recently enjoyed the challenge of virtually engaging her students in Year 6, whilst home-schooling her own children through the use of Microsoft Teams.

Anthony Lees - Deputy Head and MIEE, Cornerstone

Anthony Lees - Deputy Head and MIEE, Cornerstone

Anthony is Deputy Head of School for recently opened Westclyst Community Primary School, Devon, within the Cornerstone Academy Trust, where he also leads on EdTech strategy for the Trust. As a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) for The Cornerstone Teaching School he supports schools across the region in the areas of computing, online safety and as well as his other passion; music.

Anthony continues to support teachers' wider professional development as an SSAT Lead Practitioner and ETP Facilitator, and specifically in the areas of computing, EdTech and online safety as a Computing Associate for Babcock International and CEOP Ambassador. He trains and leads on the NCCE Computing Hub, for Broadclyst School as the Primary Phase Lead within the Westcountry Computing Hub.

He is also a Microsoft Certified Educator and Master Trainer, MIEExpert, Skype Master Teacher and Surface Expert; which he utilises to deliver staff development and training through both the Microsoft Showcase School Programme and the DfE EdTech Demonstrator School programme.

Lucy Lees - Teacher and Literacy Specialist, Cornerstone

Lucy Lees - Teacher and Literacy Specialist, Cornerstone

Lucy has worked for ten years in education, teaching across all three Primary stages. Having been part of the Cornerstone Academy Trust for many years, she has direct experience of integrating 21st Century IT skills into everyday teaching, in an engaging, purposeful, real-life way.

Lucy’s passion for reading has now lead her to become Reading Leader for the Trust; a role which involves overseeing and supporting the delivery of the Trust’s systematic synthetic phonics approach. She works closely with teachers, teaching assistants and phase leaders to deliver outstanding reading provision. This includes facilitating the delivering of day-to-day phonics teaching, supporting the lowest 20%, putting in place tutoring provision and providing personalised and relevant CPD for staff.

Nick Levey, UK Sales Manager, Netsweeper

Nick Levey, UK Sales Manager, Netsweeper

Nick Levey is the UK Sales Manager for Netsweeper. He has worked in the web filtering and safeguarding market place since 2011 and specialises in the UK education market place. Nick has a passion for working with educators and education service deliverers to provide systems in which high-quality education can be delivered safely within the digital landscape.

Leon Mallett - Director and Chief Operating Officer of IAM Cloud

Leon Mallett - Director and Chief Operating Officer of IAM Cloud

Leon is Director and Chief Operating Officer of IAM Cloud, a software company that creates helpful tools to manage IT in the cloud. IAM Cloud are Microsoft Gold Partners and won Microsoft's highly esteemed Worldwide Education Partner of the Year in 2015. To date, IAM Cloud software has helped over 3 million education users adopt Office 365.

Beverly Maloney - Royal Hospital School, Teacher Coordinator for the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Beverly Maloney - Royal Hospital School, Teacher Coordinator for the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Beverly is a Royal Academy of Engineering Connecting STEM Teacher's Teacher Coordinator. She has successfully built a large network of schools in her area using partnerships with local industries including the NHS, Police the Armed Forced and local Engineering firms. As a Teacher Coordinator for the last three years she continues to grow teacher participation and strengthen STEM Learning in the area. She delivers CPD sessions to STEM teachers, sharing with the Royal Academy of Engineering resources in addition to organising multi-school collaborative projects. This year, Beverly collaborated with over 21 local STEM representatives in the area and held the first ever regional STEMFEST, gathering hundreds of local school children together to celebrate STEM across all sectors in an afternoon of workshops and exhibitions.

Andrew Manning - Senior Network Engineer, TME South West Ltd

Andrew Manning - Senior Network Engineer, TME South West Ltd

Andrew is a Senior Network Engineer at TME South West Ltd. Based in Somerset, UK, TME support around 100 Schools, Colleges and Trusts with all things IT. Andrew has over 17 years’ experience working directly with education establishments to deliver fast, reliable and easy to maintain systems. With a cloud first vision, Andrew continues to adopt this approach to Microsoft Cloud Services including Office 365 and Azure.

Henry Massey - Chair of Trustees

Henry Massey - Chair of Trustees

Henry is a Chair of Governors and sits on all sub-committees. He is an accredited National leader in Governance (NLG). Henry led his governing body over the summer of 2010 to become one of the first primary Academies in the UK, converting on 1st September 2010. Since conversion Henry has ensured a rigorous remodelling of the governing body to enable effective and high quality governance of the school. He was also involved in extending the age range of the school to include 2 year olds. During 2015, Henry led the remodelling of the board of trustees as the academy converted to a Multi Academy Trust. Henry has spoken on behalf of Microsoft regarding remote working for Trustees and he’s worked with Capita Education to help shape their remote work offering.

Adam Medlycott, MIEE, Cornerstone

Adam Medlycott, MIEE, Cornerstone

Adam leads the CEOP Education Professional Development Programme within the National Crime Agency (NCA-CEOP). This includes developing and delivering training, guidance and support and managing the Thinkuknow network over 100,000 children’s workforce professionals. The Thinkuknow programme aims to protect young people aged 4-18 from sexual abuse and exploitation through education. Thinkuknow offers learning resources, advice and support for children and young people and their families, and best practice guidance and professional development for the children’s workforce. Before joining NCA-CEOP, Adam worked in primary education and school governance. He is also a member of the UKCIS education working group.

Ben McGinnes, Teacher, Danesfield School

Ben McGinnes, Teacher, Danesfield School

Ben McGinnes has been a teacher at Danesfield School for the last 4 years and has taught in Year 1 and Year 3. He is currently leading the schools’ EdTech strategy and has been pivotal in embedding technology across the curriculum, leading training to bring the staff on the journey with him and feel confident to use a range of technological resources they would not have otherwise considered. He has played a key role in ensuring the transition to remote learning was successful and as a result, Danesfield has a very effective system for home learning in place using Microsoft Teams. As part of the EdTech program, he is supporting a number of schools to develop their remote learning strategy.

He has also been instrumental in setting up the schools’ YouTube channel, where teaching staff regularly post videos to assist teachers far and wide, sharing imaginative lesson ideas and how these can be easily planned and implemented. He is an incredibly creative teacher, especially when it comes to using technology to enhance learning, and has supported staff to use software such as FlipGrid and Minecraft to engage children in innovative and exciting ways to extend their learning.

Ollie Milverton - Head of Maths, Cranbrook Education Campus

Ollie Milverton - Head of Maths, Cranbrook Education Campus

Ollie has been the Head of Maths at CEC since it opened five years ago and prior to that he worked at St James Academy as a Lead Practitioner in Mathematics. Both St James and CEC are partner schools with SPARX, and as a result Ollie is one of the teachers with the most experience with SPARX in the Ted Wragg Trust.

Hector Minto, Microsoft

Hector Minto, Microsoft

Hector Minto has worked at the cutting edge of Assistive Technology (AT) for 23 years specializing in Alternative Communication (AAC), Home Automation (EC) and computer access for people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities.

Hector joined Microsoft in 2016 as the leading voice on Accessibility in Europe, reporting to our Chief Accessibility Officer. He is responsible for a network of Microsoft employees and partners committed to driving disability inclusion and digital accessibility at scale, across all industries. Hector has worked on a number of government committees and groups and currently sits in the Business Leaders Group for Disability Confident.

Sarah Morgan - Headteacher, Danesfield School

Sarah Morgan - Headteacher, Danesfield School

Sarah Morgan has been the Headteacher of Danesfield School, in Marlow, for the past 6 years and has driven huge improvement in all areas of the school since gaining her Headship. Her passion for technology to be embedded in all areas of school life has enabled the school to go from strength to strength, becoming and Microsoft Showcase School and now an EdTech Demonstrator School as well. Sarah places great value on ensuring that children have the skills necessary to be successful in the next phase of their education, as well as beyond and, through learning with technology, emphasises the importance of team work, collaboration, communication, perseverance and resilience. She also works closely with the DfE to provide in-sight on how to continue to develop the use of technology to improve outcomes for children.

Sarah has worked within the education sector for 17 years, starting as a primary school teacher and has always had an eye for detail and a determination to be the best she, and her school, can possibly be. As a PiXL school, she works closely with the PiXL team to plan future conferences and often presents as these too. Sarah supports a number of schools through the PiXL Partnership to enable them to continue to develop and improve in order to raise their attainment, improve the learning experience for children and ensure they are prepared for transition to secondary school.

Matthew Mizielinski - Climate Data Delivery Manager, Met Office Hadley Centre

Matthew Mizielinski - Climate Data Delivery Manager, Met Office Hadley Centre

After studying for a degree in physics and a doctorate in theoretical physics Matthew has worked for the Met Office Hadley Centre in climate science for 11 years, where he is responsible for the processing and publication of climate simulation data used for analyses such as the IPCC reports. Matthew has been a STEM ambassador for over six years and for the last three has been involved in the programming club at Broadclyst Community Primary School, running small group activities using the Raspberry Pi and microbits, for which he gets to build and play with robots and other fun pieces of technology.

Chris Nash - Head of Community, Discovery Education

Chris Nash - Head of Community, Discovery Education

As Head of Community at Discovery Education UK, Chris Nash has been involved in education for over 30 years, previously working as a classroom practitioner, local authority advisor, senior education consultant for Steljes Ltd. and freelance consultant supporting schools across London. He has lectured in ICT, Computing and Teaching and Learning at Roehampton, Brunel and Kingston Universities, as well as various training providers including Schools Direct and SCITT.

Chris has spent much of the last 20 years pioneering teaching and learning through the use of technology and has a passion for innovating along with a deep pedagogical understanding of how technology can have a profound impact on the way we teach, learn, work and live our lives.

He works closely with educators at all levels, focusing on best practice in digital learning. He is currently immersed in transforming teaching and learning through the use of XR technologies and is proud to have built the foundation for the Immersive team at Discovery Education.

Chris has been successfully funded by Arts Council England for a number of creative projects utilising cutting edge technology for performance and audience interaction.

He regularly speaks nationally on the topics he is passionate about.

Graham Newbery - Trust Business Manager, Cornerstone

Graham Newbery - Trust Business Manager, Cornerstone

Graham has been the Trust Business Manager since January 2013. Prior to joining the Cornerstone team, he spent 24 years with Devon County Council performing a number of roles. These roles included direct delivery of finance advice to schools for a number of years; Finance Manager for the reorganisation of Exeter's schools from an Infant/Junior/High system to Primary/Secondary, including a PFI scheme to rebuild all of the city's secondaries.

Graham spent three years seconded to the DfE as Regional Manager for the South West and West Midlands Educational Procurement Centre - a project aimed at driving efficiencies and cost savings in schools across the country. Just prior to joining CAT, he managed procurement projects within the social care sector. Procurement continues to feature in his current role, alongside responsibilities for finance, premises, admin and HR.

Abid Patel, IT Director, Leading Learning Trust

Abid Patel, IT Director, Leading Learning Trust

Abid is the IT Director at the Leading Learning Trust in London and has been working in EdTech for over 15 years. He's a Google Certified Trainer & Innovator. Abid is also the leader of the Google Educator Group GEG UK and is a founding member of Global GEG. Abid was runner up in the EduFuturists Network Manager of the Year award and also named in the EdTech50 “Ones to Note”. Abid is a passionate advocate for sustainable digital transformation in schools. He was described by his fellow innovators as "a natural positive force and dreamer with 10X ideas".

James Payne - Senior Specialist, Edukey

James Payne - Senior Specialist, Edukey

James has helped to deploy Provision Map across more than 3,500 schools in the past 5 years. He has a wealth of experience supporting SEND Departments in their efforts to streamline processes, reduce workload and improve funding for their at risk students whilst ensuring teachers have access to the information they need the moment they need it. James acts as Provision Map's main point of contact for Trust wide support, consultancy and training for all Provision Map users.

Matthew Pitts - Deputy Head and MIEE, Cornerstone

Matthew Pitts - Deputy Head and MIEE, Cornerstone

Matthew Pitts is the Deputy Head of School for Broadclyst and has taken on the role hub lead for the Cornerstone English Hub. He is a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert for 6 years; leading projects and training around use of Office365, social networking, OneNote in the classroom, flipped learning, computing, and thinking skills. He has particular interests in how the development of school culture can be enhanced through the use of digital tools. He has also done extensive work with green screen and the use of video as an outcome of learning.

Nicole Ponsford, Edtech Demonstrator Regional Lead and Co-CEO & Founder of The GEC

Nicole Ponsford, Edtech Demonstrator Regional Lead and Co-CEO & Founder of The GEC

Nic Ponsford FRSA is the Co-CEO and Founder of The Gender Equality Collective.

Previously an award-winning teacher and Harvard author (TechnoTeaching), she is now an educational and technology thought leader. Whilst studying her Doctorate, this year has seen her be an EdTech50 Judge (2020), Regional Lead (SW) for the new Dfe Edtech Demonstrator Programme, a whitepaper research analyst for HE and Online Learning Designer. Nic believes that technology is the great equaliser for our time.

Claire Price - Principle at RSA Academy

Claire Price - Principle at RSA Academy

Claire is an experienced Headteacher of 9 years and has been Principal at RSA Academy since September 2019. She is a passionate advocate of social justice; this extends to the belief that experienced school leaders should support other people to reach their ambitions. Claire is passionate about the use of tech in education to support learning. The pandemic has seen her introduce blended learning at speed and at scale into school that had only just introduced a platform to facilitate this. She is National Leader for WomenEd, an experienced coach and mentor, and Fellow for the Chartered College. She sits on the Strategic Board for Impact Wales. and is an advisor for the Education Foundation and led a policy forum for Wales with the Foundation in 2018.

Alexandra Pulfer - Head of Curriculum, Cornerstone

Alexandra Pulfer - Head of Curriculum, Cornerstone

Rob Quickenden, Cisilion

Rob Quickenden, Cisilion

Rob Q joined Cisilion in 2012 and is responsible for Microsoft Practise within Cisilion. Rob has over 20 years’ experience across much of the IT space, but in recent years with a focus on Microsoft Cloud technologies and services. Rob spent 12 years working in the educational IT space across support, technical engineering, solution architecture and also service delivery.   Rob now sits on the executive board at Cisilion as the Chief Strategy officer and spends most of his time working helping organisations define and execute their technical and business objectives by leveraging Cloud technologies. Cisilion are top-tier Microsoft Gold Partner and were the first Microsoft UK Teams partner to earn the advanced voice specialisation.

Boris Radanovic - Engagement and Partnership Manager for the UK Safer Internet Centre

Boris Radanovic - Engagement and Partnership Manager for the UK Safer Internet Centre

Boris is the Engagement and Partnership Manager for the UK Safer Internet Centre working at South West Grid for learning. Since the creation of the Croatian SIC, he has worked as the Awareness coordinator for the Croatian Safer Internet Centre where he has held more than one hundred presentations and educations about online safety to children, parents, teachers, police officers, social care workers and companies in Croatia. As an expert speaker in the field of online safety he has been working with the European Commission, TAIEX instrument, in the countries of Belarus, Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia to present the topic of online safety to government officials.

Session

More than 1.5 billion children and young people across the world have been affected by school closures” (Unicef).  A study by University of Exeter in May concluded that “72% [of parents] said school closures would have a negative impact on pupil wellbeing and safety”.  The workshop will highlight the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on children, together with the impact of remote learning.  The workshop will also share SWGfL published guidance for schools in managing learning remotely and safely alongside safeguarding considerations and resources.

Rob Randall, Data Communications Consultant, Cisilion

Rob Randall, Data Communications Consultant, Cisilion

Rob R joined Cisilion in 2018 and is an experienced customer focused telecommunications (IP Voice) and data communications consultant. Rob has worked for a range of organisations from start-up to multinational manufacturers as well as national and global service providers and has over 20 years’ experience in telecommunication, unified communication, and mobile industries. Since 2005 he has been a Unified Communications specialist focus on the Microsoft Collaboration and voice technologies providing pre-sales, design, delivery and support services to customers. During this time, he has deployed all versions of Microsoft UC Portfolio (from Live Communications Server to Skype for Business and now Teams) a range of large enterprises, public sector and education organisations

Stephen Reid - Senior Consumer Engagement Project Manager, Microsoft

Stephen Reid - Senior Consumer Engagement Project Manager, Microsoft

Stephen is a passionate advocate of both play as a powerful learning mechanism, and technology as a tool for learning. A leader in the field of game-based learning. He has spent his career researching and developing curriculum content and pedagogical practices that transform learning for students and teachers worldwide. He believes all learning should be a unique, relevant and meaningful experience, with lessons that draw learners into environments with experiences that take place on farms, museums, travelling classrooms in shipping containers, as well as building an entire school using a single 3D printer in a South African township.

Chris Rothwell - Director of Education, Microsoft

Chris Rothwell - Director of Education, Microsoft

Joe Rowing, Science Teacher, Exeter Maths School

Joe Rowing, Science Teacher, Exeter Maths School

Perry Roach, CEO, Netsweeper

Perry Roach, CEO, Netsweeper

Perry Roach is the Co-Founder of Netsweeper. Since founding Netsweeper back in 1999, Perry has helped establish Netsweeper in 63 countries providing Web Filtering and Safeguarding expertise to the regions. This wealth of experience has helped shaped the product for education sector.

  Back in 2017, Perry lead Netsweeper’s involvement in the IWF and Microsoft Image Hash List Project, this technology has continued to play an important part in eliminating online child exploitation.

Lucy Runham - Regional CPD Manager, 2Simple

Lucy Runham - Regional CPD Manager, 2Simple

Lucy Runham is the Regional CPD Manager for 2Simple covering the South West and Wales. Lucy has extensive experience working in educational technology -  teaching primary, developing resources and delivering high quality CPD in her area. She works hard supporting schools with their use of Purple Mash to ensure they get the best value out of their investment.

Kevin Sait - Surface Evangelist, Microsoft

Kevin Sait - Surface Evangelist, Microsoft

Kevin has been working with Microsoft for the past 6 years, first with the UK Education team and more recently with Steve Beswick supporting education customers to get the best from the Surface family of devices.   

As the Head of IT Strategy for a big Norfolk secondary school, we first  deployed Office 365 to 1800 students back in 2013, utilising tools like OneNote, Office Online and Yammer to create and engaging learning enviroment. Since then I have worked and trained teachers and IT pros on the latest technologies and helped many schools to start their journey to the cloud. 

Anthony Salcito - Vice President, Worldwide Education, Microsoft

Anthony Salcito - Vice President, Worldwide Education, Microsoft

Beth Schoter - Teacher and MIEE, Cornerstone

Beth Schoter - Teacher and MIEE, Cornerstone

Bethany Schoter has taught within Cornerstone Trust for three years, in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Being a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, Bethany is passionate about the inclusion of technology in education and developing 21st Century Learning Skills in learners.

For two years, Bethany has been a member of the Ed-Tech team at Cornerstone, helping to shape and drive the latest initiatives in educational technology to the four schools within our Academy Trust. Recently, with Broadclyst Primary having been awarded Ed-Tech Demonstrator School Status by the Department for Education, their focus has become a national effort to support schools by offering advice and training in best practise.

Rebecca Scrace - Teacher, Danesfield

Rebecca Scrace - Teacher, Danesfield

Rebecca Scrace is an experienced KS1 teacher, having taught in England as well as Dubai, where she had the role of Foundation Stage Leader in a 6 form entry school. She is an incredibly enthusiastic teacher and has a strong understanding of early reading and phonics which she has been able to implement at Danesfield School. With her year group partner, she has made significant changes to the teaching in EYFS to incorporate greater use of technology and a more child-led learning which has enhanced engagement from the pupils. The support for her class during remote learning has been remarkable. She held daily whole class calls, uploaded videos teaching and modelling activities from children to access in their own time, made 1:1 calls with particular children and small group sessions in the afternoon, tailored to the needs of the group.

Donna Shah - Assistant Digital Learning Advisor, Cognita and Microsoft Fellow

Donna Shah - Assistant Digital Learning Advisor, Cognita and Microsoft Fellow

I am an educator based in London who is passionate about EdTech. Since the beginning of 2020 she works with Cognita schools supporting with digital learning for staff and pupils. Previously I taught computing in 2 London primary schools whilst promoting the positive use of EdTech across the curriculum.   I am currently an MIE Fellow, developing and growing the Microsoft community across London through events, meets etc. I was selected to represent the UK for Microsoft at their E2 education meet in Paris, 2019 as well as presenting on their tools at events such as BETT.  

Carl Sheen - Lead Trainer, InVentry Ltd

Carl Sheen - Lead Trainer, InVentry Ltd

Carl is the Lead Trainer at InVentry and has been with the business for over 2 years, training customers on all aspects of our software. Prior to joining InVentry, Carl worked as a secondary school Computer Science teacher for almost a decade and so has a strong understanding of education and its technology.

Arran Smith - UK Dyslexia and SEND Consultant, Microsoft

Arran Smith - UK Dyslexia and SEND Consultant, Microsoft

Arran classes himself as one of the 4% of the population as a severely dyslexic adult.

  When Arran was aged 9 he was diagnosed with dyslexia. He uses the metaphor that dyslexia is like going to the dentist, well that’s how it was for him all the way until he was 14, this was the age when he realised that dyslexia is a difference not a disadvantage.  

During Arran’s working life he has worked in many industries including youth work, retail business and the not-for-profit sector. Arran has worked within the dyslexia sector for over 15 years. He is chairman of the Leicestershire Dyslexia Association and previously  worked and volunteered for the British Dyslexia Association in varied roles.  

Arran has spoken at many large conferences and events across the UK and more recently spoke at a national conference in India.  

Despite Arran being severely dyslexic Arran uses technology to support his needs and without technology he would not be doing what he is doing today.

Mark Sparvell - Education Leader, Microsoft

Mark Sparvell - Education Leader, Microsoft

Sally-Anne Taylor - Speech and Language Therapist, Cornerstone

Sally-Anne Taylor - Speech and Language Therapist, Cornerstone

Sally-Anne has worked as a speech and language therapist for 12 years, most of this time in mainstream schools and nurseries, but also in complex needs and acquired communication disorders from age 0-25 years. She is passionate about supporting children with communication difficulties, by upskilling school staff and parents, alongside implementing therapy programmes for these children. She is particularly interested in finding opportunities to integrate speech and language targets into everyday classroom activities. Currently employed by Cornerstone Academy Trust. Covid-19 related changes to ways of working have created an opportunity to further explore the use of digital tools and implementation of distance therapy through telehealth video calls.

Elaine Topham - Senior Learning Technologist at the Grimsby Institute

Elaine Topham - Senior Learning Technologist at the Grimsby Institute

Elaine has worked for over 10 years in teaching, delivering ICT qualifications and training in Further Education, Higher Education, Community learning and apprenticeships. She now works as a Senior Learning Technologist in the Innovate department at the Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education and the associated campuses, supporting all staff to fully integrate the Office365 technologies into their roles.

An MIE Expert and active member of the Microsoft Educator Community, Elaine recognises the growing need for digital capabilities within teaching and believes that with the right support, technology can create better learning experiences for our learners.

Julie Walters - Senior Project Manager for Technocamps

Julie Walters - Senior Project Manager for Technocamps

Julie is the Senior Project Manager for Technocamps. She is responsible for the oversight of the Technocamps Operation to ensure the desired outcomes are achieved, the resources are deployed efficiently, and the many and varied interfaces are managed effectively.

She has a varied background in Health, Business and ERDF programmes. She brings her energy and enthusiasm to the delivery and promotion of Computer Science and Computational thinking.

Adam Watson - Director, Sandgate Systems

Adam Watson - Director, Sandgate Systems

Adam has over 25 years’ experience in software and the education sector. This extends back to the late 90s, providing teaching equipment to schools and supporting those seeking conversion to specialist status. Since then Adam has been providing both software and services to schools, MATs, Local Authorities and Diocesan bodies. Adam regularly presents on a variety of relevant topics at numerous national events as well as online workshops.

James Weatherill - Chief Executive, Arbor Education

James Weatherill - Chief Executive, Arbor Education

James is the CEO of Arbor Education, a smart cloud-based Management Information System that transforms how schools work by automating admin to save staff time, and using intuitive analytics to improve student insight. Just over 5 years since launch, the company has become the fastest growing MIS in the UK and now works with over 1,100 primary, secondary and special schools, 100+ MATs and 40+ Local Authority Support Partners.

Previously, James was a venture manager for one of Europe's leading design agencies, working with TomTom, Blackberry, Novartis and other blue-chip tech clients to spin out new products and services that scaled to millions of customers.

Michael Wilkinson - CEO, ClickView

Michael Wilkinson - CEO, ClickView

Michael is the Managing Director of ClickView UK and has been involved in education for over 15 years; previously working within a local authority, founding and running an EdTech business ‘I am learning’ before it was acquired by Frog Education where he became deputy managing director and supported learning around the globe for over 12 million people. Michael studied an MA in Education and Technology, is a Member of 2 Multi Academy Trusts, held the role of president of Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, and now Chair’s the Northern Regional Chambers. He is passionate about education and supporting better life chances for all young people.

Bronnie Williams - Teacher, Cornerstone

Bronnie Williams - Teacher, Cornerstone

Bronnie Williams trained to teach a Cornerstone Academy Trust and has worked there ever since. She is currently a Year 6 teacher at Broadclyst Community Primary Shool and leads Key Stage 2 across the Trust. As English and Drama subject lead, she is also passionate about the Creative Arts and harnessing drama as a tool to support learning in the wider curriculum.

Bronnie is an MIE and understands the role that technology plays in the classroom. Her use of Office 365 is embedded throughout her classroom practice and is integral to building independent, 21st century learners.

Tracey Wills - School Nurse, Cornerstone

Tracey Wills - School Nurse, Cornerstone

Tracey is a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse, (SCPHN) Specialising in School Nursing, graduating from Plymouth university, she has worked as a School Nurse across different schools in Devon for the past 19 years. Prior to this she qualified as a Registered General Nurse (RGN) working in the Community, Accident and Emergency and Coronary Care. She also has a Masters Degree in Complementary Health Studies, graduating from Exeter University.

Tracey has worked at The Cornerstone Academy Trust (TCAT) for the past 6 years developing and delivering the Relationships, Health and Education Programme, alongside supporting pupils, staff and parents with Emotional and Physical Health needs. Tracey is also part of the E-safety committee. She endorses the importance of educating children and young people to look after their Emotional and Physical health needs to promote their well being and long term healthy lifestyles and the importance of educating children around safe behaviours to promote safeguarding.

Katherine Wilson - Teacher, Danesfield

Katherine Wilson - Teacher, Danesfield

Katherine Wilson is an experienced teacher who currently teaches in Reception at Danesfield School but has taught a range of year groups in both Key Stages in a broad range of educational settings. She has been supporting the Corvus Academy this year to develop the teaching of Maths across their schools, where she has led staff training and works closely with the Academy lead to drive improvement. She is a creative and reflective teacher and, with her year group partner, she has made significant changes to the teaching in EYFS to incorporate greater use of technology and a more child-led learning which has enhanced engagement from the pupils. The support for her class during remote learning has been remarkable. She held daily whole class calls, uploaded videos teaching and modelling activities from children to access in their own time, made 1:1 calls with particular children and small group sessions in the afternoon, tailored to the needs of the group.

Hannah Woodhouse - Regional Schools Commissioner for the South West at Department for Education

Hannah Woodhouse - Regional Schools Commissioner for the South West at Department for Education

Matt Woodruff - Chair of Governors, Additional Skills Governor

Matt Woodruff - Chair of Governors, Additional Skills Governor

Matt helps schools and Trusts turn data into meaningful information to make more informed decisions and help to improve outcomes. Matt has a prior background with Microsoft and other international technology companies and has led public sector Business Intelligence projects in the UK. On behalf of Microsoft he has led workshops at MOE level in Russia, Kazakhstan and Malta.

A technologist at heart, Matt has been a school governor for 13 years, holds a Masters degree in Online Learning, and is a PhD candidate in the field of AI in Education. He also has three children, is married to a teacher, and leads a Microsoft Partner recognised for competence in Data Analytics.

David Wright - SWGfL / UK Safer Internet Centre

David Wright - SWGfL / UK Safer Internet Centre

David is Director UK Safer Internet Centre at SWGfL; the national awareness centre and part of the European Insafe network.  David has worked extensively in online safety for many years with children, schools and wider agencies. David advises a number of Governments and school inspectorates on online safety strategy and policy, particularly with regards schools and curriculum.  He has recently been appointed as an expert adviser to the UN ITU.  David has presented at conferences nationally and internationally.  He is a member of UKCIS as well as the Twitter Trust and Safety Council and member of IEEE standard for Child Data Governance.