: BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS CONFERENCE 20.11.2026 Creating the Inclusive Classroom

Breaking Down Barriers: Creating the Inclusive Classroom

Join colleagues from across the South West & South Coast for Breaking Down Barriers: Creating the Inclusive Classroom – a practical, evidence-informed conference exploring adaptive teaching, inclusion and breaking down barriers to learning.

Delivered collaboratively by the Research Schools Network and supported by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), this one-day event brings together leading voices in education alongside practical workshops designed to help schools create more inclusive classrooms and improve outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable learners.

Why attend?

Be inspired by expert keynote speakers, explore the latest evidence, and leave with practical strategies you can apply immediately in your own setting.

The conference will focus on:

Adaptive Teaching
Inclusion and Belonging
Whole School SEND
Inclusive Literacy
Pupil Premium Leadership
Inclusion in 16 – 19 Settings

Delegates will leave with:

Practical classroom strategies
EEF-aligned approaches
Immediate takeaways to support school improvement

Keynote Speakers:

Sonia ThompsonDirector of St Matthew’s Research School, Birmingham, and member of The Oracy Commission – Whole School Inclusion

Malcolm ReeveNational SEND Leader – Whole School SEND What school inspections are telling us about inclusion

Workshops:

Choose from a range of practical, evidence-informed workshops led by Research School colleagues and national experts:

Adaptive Teaching – Jon Eaton (Devon Research School)
Inclusive Classroom Practice – Laura Spence (Gloucestershire Research School)
Pupil Premium Leadership in Schools – Tom Colquhoun (Somerset Research School)
Inclusive Literacy – John Rodgers (Cornwall Research School) & Amanda Grant (Hampshire Research School)
Inclusion in 16 – 19 Settings – Emma Mills (Truro & Penwith College) & James Wilson (Exeter College)
Whole School SEND – Malcolm Reeve (National SEND Leader)
Who should attend?

This conference is ideal for:

School and trust leaders
SENDCos and inclusion leads
Pupil Premium leads
Teachers supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable learners
Teaching and learning leads
Colleagues new to role

Whether you are looking to strengthen classroom practice, develop whole-school approaches to inclusion, or refine your strategy for supporting disadvantaged learners, this conference offers practical, evidence-informed professional learning that can make an immediate difference.

Event Details:

Friday 20 November 20269:00am – 3:00pm

Exeter Rougemont HotelQueen Street, Exeter, EX43SP

£100 per delegate£50 additional delegate(Includes lunch and refreshments.)

Book your place:

Bookings are now open.

Book your place here: https://bit.ly/4eZSHWe