International Leaders Conference 2026: Sustaining Change

You don’t need another inspirational talk. You need guidance you can test against your own context. This conference gives you access to leading expertise – and the chance to work with it, not just listen to it. Expect to take part, not just attend – with prompts and structure that help you translate insight into action.

Across two half-day virtual sessions on 7 – 8 May 2026, the International Leaders Conference 2026 brings together school leaders from around the world to explore how we turn good intentions into lasting improvement – in ways that are realistic, grounded and sustainable.

Delivered in partnership with Education Leaders, the conference connects proven leadership practice with tools you can apply straight away with your team and school community. Conference themes include:

1. Sustainability Works Both Ways: Schools need leaders who can drive the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals forward while also leading change that doesn’t exhaust their teams. We’ll tackle both – because you can’t build for tomorrow if you’re burning people out today.
2. Evidence to Monday Morning: Our 30 years alongside international schools meets Education Leaders’ question-led approach to change. You’ll take away research-informed strategies you can use immediately and adapt to your context.
3. Building Capacity, Not Dependency: We’ll explore how to empower your teams, grow middle leadership and create the conditions for improvement to stick – without change resting on one person trying to fix everything.

Investing in leadership
This year we’re launching the conference during Chinese New Year – a time associated with renewal, generosity, and fresh beginnings – and we’re leaning into the symbolism of the lucky number eight. In many cultures, eight represents growth and prosperity, which feels like a fitting thread for the kind of leadership we’re trying to build together.

• Individual ticket: £88
• 3-ticket bundle: £200
• 5-ticket bundle: £350
• Leadership Party (shared-screen experience + setup support): £888

And here’s a simple idea we’re calling the Red Envelope Gift: if you book a place to attend, you can choose to gift a free place to an emerging or aspiring leader you want to sponsor, mentor, or support. It’s a practical way to invest forward, bringing someone new into the conversation and strengthening leadership capacity across your school.

A speaker lineup with real depth
We’re pleased to welcome internationally recognised voices in education, including:

• Tom Sherrington – Director of Teaching Walkthrus and author who writes the popular blog teacherhead.com
• Zaretta Hammond – an educator and author of best-selling books Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain and Rebuilding Students’ Learning Power

They’re joined by a strong group of practitioner-experts, including Adam Kohlbeck, Chris Passey, Meg Lee, Lori Cohen, and more voices from across the international school community.

Why the International Leaders Conference is different
The conference is designed for implementation not just inspiration. Every section is built to help you translate insight into next steps you can take with your team and it’s also a great opportunity to attend alongside someone you’re supporting or mentoring (including through the Red Envelope Gift).

All attendees receive a digital Leaders Playbook, including:

• Key speaker ideas and recommended reading
• Guided reflection questions
• Clear “What’s next?” questions to support action back at school

Sessions will be recorded, but we won’t release full recordings afterwards. Instead, attendees receive curated summary videos with expert commentary, keeping the focus on live participation, discussion, and shared momentum while still giving you something useful to revisit.

To keep the learning moving, everyone is also invited to a free drop-in session two weeks after the conference, with potential opportunities for optional one-to-one coaching with speakers (subject to availability). If you’re committed to leadership that makes a lasting difference – for your team, your students, and your school – we’d love you to join us.