SHAPING FUTURES
Developing and assessing skills for a changing world
A ONE-DAY CONFERENCE FOR INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
Headline speaker announced: Geoff Barton
We are delighted to welcome Geoff Barton CBE, former General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and former secondary school headteacher, as our headline keynote speaker.Drawing on his extensive experience in education and his work championing oracy, Geoff will explore the vital role of communication, speaking and listening in helping young people develop the confidence, understanding and capabilities they need for the future.
SAVE THE DATE
The Shaping Futures conference from ISEB will bring together educators and experts for a day of ideas, evidence and practical discussion about the development and evaluation of future skills. From creativity, communication and critical thinking to digital and financial literacy and real-world problem solving, we’ll explore how schools can help pupils become confident, curious and capable learners.
Featuring two keynote speakers, a panel discussion, and a choice of breakout sessions, the programme is designed to help schools determine how to build confident, capable and curious learners through the development and evaluation of future skills.
The conference will bring together colleagues from both prep and senior schools, as well as the wider education sector, and will be an invaluable opportunity to explore ideas and engage in practical discussions.
10 Union Street, London, SE1 1SZ
Wednesday 12 May 2027
Full day programme, 9am - 5pm
about
Join ISEB to have your say on the future of assessment at our 120th anniversary conference in London on 24 April 2024.
ISEB would like to invite you and your colleagues to attend our upcoming one-day conference for schools entitled Assessing Change, Awarding the Future. Featuring three headline speakers and a range of breakout sessions, this conference will explore areas including AI, digital assessment, 21st century skills-based qualifications, and curricula reform.
Passionate speakers
Hear from engaging speakers from leading education, technology, and assessment organisations.
Exploratory panels
A wide-ranging choice of breakout sessions including panel discussions, talks and workshops.
Informed discussions
Have your say on the direction and development of assessments and qualifications over the next 120 years.
tickets
Tickets will be on sale soon.
Individual tickets
£195
Ticket price includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Group tickets
£175
Schools booking three or more delegates will receive a discount.
event programme
The Shaping Futures conference will feature two keynote speakers, a panel discussion, and a choice of breakout sessions. The programme is designed to help schools determine how to build confident, capable and curious learners through the development and evaluation of future skills.
The conference will bring together colleagues from both prep and senior schools, as well as the wider education sector, and will be an invaluable opportunity to explore ideas and engage in practical discussions.
headline speakers
Professor Bill Lucas
Rethinking Assessment in Schools: Why, how, who and when
Professor Bill Lucas is Director of the Centre for Real-World Learning at the University of Winchester.
Previously a school leader and the founder of two not for profit educational organisations, Learning through Landscapes and the Campaign for Learning, Bill is a writer, speaker and education reformer.
Bill is chair of the advisory board of the Global Institute of Creative Thinking, co-chair of the strategic advisory group PISA 2022 Creative Thinking Test, and adviser to the LEGO Foundation, curator of Creativity Exchange and a Commissioner for ICAPE. In 2020, Bill co-founded Rethinking Assessment.
Professor Mary Richardson
The impact of AI technology on assessment design
Mary Richardson is Professor of Educational Assessment at the IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, and advisor to Pearson, AQA and Qualifications Wales.
An esteemed academic of over 20 years, Mary is the EdD Professional Doctorate programme leader and a tutor on the MA Educational Assessment programme. Mary's own research is anchored in assessment with specialist expertise in student experiences, public understanding of testing, the ethics of assessment and currently, what AI might mean to all our assessment futures.
Mary also sits on the Research Board for Qualifications Wales, for AQA Exam Board's Research Department and is the co-convenor of the British Educational Research Association's Special Interest Group (SIG) for Curriculum and Assessment.
Colin Hughes
Revolution, or evolution? The roadmap to digital exams
Colin Hughes is the Chief Executive of England's largest examination board, AQA.
Every year over one million students sit AQA examinations at GCSE and A-level, with the examination board among the largest in the UK. Colin joined AQA in the summer of 2020, following eight years as Managing Director of Collins Learning, and four years as chair of the Education Publishers Council from 2014 to 2018.
Prior to this Colin founded Learnthings Ltd, the Guardian's digital learning business, and was appointed Managing Director of Guardian Professional. In his earlier work as a journalist, Colin held roles as Policy Editor, Education Editor and Deputy Editor across the Press Association, The Times and The Independent.
breakout sessions
In addition to three engaging headline speakers, delegates can choose from a set of interactive breakout sessions, hearing about and discussing areas such as the prep school curriculum, the value of project-based qualifications, replacement GCSE courses, the power of Adaptive Comparative Judgement, and the prioritisation of pupil wellbeing in assessment.
Attendees will have the opportunity to attend two of the six breakout sessions available, listed below, to explore the diverse range of topics and themes with informed and knowledgeable panellists and ISEB's qualification and delivery experts.
I before E: How project-based learning sets pupils up with valuable real-world skills
A session with Rebecca Crumpton, AQA, and Julia Martin, ISEB.
Replacement GCSE courses
A panel discussion with representatives from King’s High Warwick, the King Alfred School, Latymer Upper School, Haberdashers’ Elstree and Wellington College.
The power of Adaptive Comparative Judgement in assessing creative writing
A session with Mark House, RM Compare, and Hayden Wood, ISEB.
Prioritising pupil wellbeing in assessment design and
the ISEB Pre-Tests
The future of
Common Entrance (CE)
and the prep school curriculum
The power of Adaptive Comparative Judgement in assessing creative writing
A panel discussion with representatives from ISEB, Wellington College, Ludgrove School, and Tooled Up Education.
A panel discussion with representatives from Harrow School, Cottesmore School, The Dragon, and Ashfold School.
A session with Mark House, RM Compare, and Hayden Wood, ISEB.
All delegates will be provided with a detailed conference programme on arrival, this will detail the running order for the day, including the location of talks and breakout sessions. An outline of the day is available below for information, please note this may be subject to change.
venue
We are delighted to welcome delegates to 10 Union Street, London Bridge, an excellent central London venue
with easy access from across the capital and beyond.
By Tube
The nearest tube stations are London Bridge or Borough both within 5 minutes and provide access from the Northern and Jubilee Lines.
By Train
Nearest main line train station is London Bridge. On exiting the station follow the signs for Borough Market.
By Bus
The nearest bus routes are 21, 35, 47, 78, 133, 343, N21, N133
By car
The nearest car park the NCP Car Park London Bridge on Kipling Street is located 6 minutes’ walk away from the venue.
Sponsors and exhibitors
In addition to a packed schedule of headline talks and breakout sessions, conference attendees will have the opportunity to speak with a carefully curated selection of exhibitors and sponsors in attendance.
Click to explore our event exhibitors:
ISEB thanks all conference exhibitors and sponsors for their involvement and support.
register YOUR interest
Complete the form below to be kept up to date with news about the conference, including information about tickets, speakers, and the conference agenda.
Conference running order
All delegates will be provided with a detailed conference programme on arrival, this will detail the running order for the day, including the location of talks and breakout sessions.
An outline of the day is available below for information, please note this may be subject to change.
| Time | Schedule |
|---|---|
| 9.00-9.30 | Arrival of conference attendees |
| 9.30-9.40 | Conference introduction |
| 9.40-10.35 | Headline talk: Professor Bill Lucas |
| 10.35-11.00 | Morning break |
| 11.00-11.45 | First breakout sessions |
| 11.45-12.00 | Comfort break |
| 12.00-12.55 | Headline talk: Professor Mary Richardson |
| 12.55-13.45 | Lunch break |
| 13.45-14.30 | Second breakout sessions |
| 14.30-14.45 | Comfort break |
| 14.45-15.45 | Headline talk: Colin Hughes, CEO, AQA |
| 15.45-16.00 | Closing remarks |
| 16.00-17.00 | Networking and drinks to conclude |
After booking your conference ticket, all delegates will be able to select their first and second choice breakout sessions by completing an online form.
Conference delegates can choose one of the following talks for their first breakout session time, 11.00-11.45
I before E: How project-based learning sets pupils up with valuable real-world skills
A session with Rebecca Crumpton, AQA, and Julia Martin, ISEB.
Replacement GCSE courses
A panel discussion with representatives from King’s High Warwick, the King Alfred School, Latymer Upper School, Haberdashers’ Elstree and Wellington College.
The power of Adaptive Comparative Judgement in assessing creative writing
A session with Mark House, RM Compare, and Hayden Wood, ISEB.
Conference delegates can choose one of the following talks for their second breakout session time: 13.45-14.30
Prioritising pupil wellbeing in assessment design and
the ISEB Pre-Tests
The future of
Common Entrance (CE)
and the prep school curriculum
The power of Adaptive Comparative Judgement in assessing creative writing
A panel discussion with representatives from ISEB, Wellington College, Ludgrove School, and Tooled Up Education.
A panel discussion with representatives from Harrow School, Cottesmore School, The Dragon, and Ashfold School.
A session with Mark House, RM Compare, and Hayden Wood, ISEB.