SAASHOW Birmingham: Where School Leaders Come to Shape the Future of Education
School Leaders Invited to Explore the Future of SEND at the UK's Leading Education Event
nasen is proud to be partnering with the Schools & Academies Show, returning to the NEC, Birmingham on 18th and 19th November.
Together, the partnership will place inclusion at the heart of one of the UK's largest education events, giving school and trust leaders access to the latest thinking, practical strategies and expert guidance to strengthen inclusive practice across their settings.
The show brings together thousands of education leaders to tackle the sector's biggest challenges. With SEND and inclusion now central to school improvement, the event provides an unrivalled opportunity for leaders to gain practical insights, hear from sector experts and discover innovative solutions that support every learner.
Map the Future of Your School at the Schools & Academies Show
School leaders are navigating increasing demands to deliver high-quality inclusive education while managing stretched budgets, evolving policy, workforce pressures and rising levels of need.
The Schools & Academies Show has been designed to help leaders address these challenges with practical, evidence-informed solutions they can implement immediately.
Whether you're developing a whole-school inclusive culture, strengthening SEND provision, supporting your SEND team or improving outcomes for pupils with additional needs, the event offers expert advice, practical CPD and innovative solutions to support your journey.
Alongside SEND and Inclusion, the programme also explores:
- Leadership & Governance
- Business & Finance
- Estates & Sustainability
- EdTech & Digital Transformation
- Teaching & Learning
Across every theatre, sessions focus on practical strategies, evidence-based approaches and real-world examples that help schools and trusts deliver meaningful improvement.
Learn from the Sector's Leading Voices
With more than 300 speakers delivering over 50 hours of CPD-certified content, attendees will hear from some of the most influential voices shaping inclusive education today.
Featured SEND speakers include:
- Annamarie Hassall MBE, Chief Executive Officer, nasen
- Amanda Wright, Head of Whole School SEND, nasen
- Adam Sproston, Senior HMI for SEND, AP and Inclusion, Ofsted
- Dr Elizabeth Rhodes, National Secondary Lead for Student Inclusion, Oasis Community Learning
- Thomas Keaney, Chair, National Association of Special Schools
- Lisa Pinkerton, Inclusion Lead and Lead Facilitator on the NPQSENCO
- Frances Akinde, Inclusion Leader and Expert
Alongside these SEND specialists, attendees will also hear from leading voices across education, including The Rt. Hon. Laura Trott MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Benedicte Yue, Chief Financial Officer at River Learning Trust, Dr Jon Needham of Oasis Academy Trust, Rob Peters of the National Governance Association and Edward Vitalis, CEO of Invictus Education Trust.
Together, the programme offers practical insight into the policies, leadership approaches and innovations shaping the future of education.
Discover Solutions That Support Inclusive Education
Creating truly inclusive schools requires the right expertise, resources and partnerships.
Across the exhibition, more than 250 education suppliers will showcase products and services designed to help schools strengthen SEND provision, improve accessibility and enhance outcomes for all pupils.
Whether you're reviewing assistive technology, sourcing classroom resources, exploring AI to reduce workload or identifying services that support inclusion, you'll be able to compare solutions and speak directly with experts in one place.
Build a Year's Worth of Connections
The show is also a unique opportunity for school and trust leaders to network and make connections with peers who are facing the same challenges as them.
Across the two days you'll meet:
- Headteachers
- MAT CEOs and executive leaders
- School Business Managers
- Governors
- SENDCOs
- Estates leaders
- Digital and IT leaders
- HR professionals
- Teaching and learning specialists
Whether during networking breaks, dedicated networking activities or informal conversations across the exhibition, you'll gain valuable insights from colleagues tackling similar issues in their own schools and trusts.
Four Education Events. One Free Pass.
Your complimentary pass for the Schools & Academies Show unlocks access to four specialist education events running alongside the main exhibition.
This means even more opportunities to discover new ideas, attend CPD-certified sessions and meet sector experts at the:
Whatever your area of responsibility, you'll have access to even more tailored content and specialist expertise all over two days at one single event.
Explore Interactive Show Features
Throughout the show floor, you'll also discover a range of interactive show features specifically designed to help you learn, network and solve problems in a more engaging way.
Government Education Village
The Government Education Village gives school and trust leaders a rare opportunity to engage directly with senior representatives from the Department for Education and key education bodies in an informal, accessible setting.
Visitors can ask questions directly, gain clarity on upcoming changes and better understand how national priorities may impact their schools and trusts.
CPC Village
With increasing financial pressures across the sector, the CPC Village gives school and trust leaders direct access to trusted procurement specialists and framework providers who can help schools reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.
Hosted with Crescent Purchasing Consortium, this dedicated area focuses on practical ways schools can maximise value without compromising quality.
Inclusive Classroom
The Inclusive Classroom, hosted by Findel Education, brings inclusive learning environments to life through immersive, real-world examples designed to inspire school and MAT leaders.
Hosted by leading SEND suppliers and specialists, this feature showcases practical approaches, technologies and strategies that can help schools create more accessible and supportive learning environments for every pupil.
Invest Two Days. Benefit All Year.
Attending the Schools & Academies Show isn't simply about spending time away from school— it's about making that time count. In just two days you can:
- Stay ahead of sector developments and policy changes.
- Gain practical CPD that supports your professional development.
- Compare hundreds of trusted education suppliers.
- Learn from leading practitioners.
- Build valuable professional relationships.
- Discover ideas that improve efficiency, save money and enhance outcomes for pupils.
If you're responsible for shaping the future of your school or trust, there's no better place to gain the insight, inspiration and practical solutions you need.
Join thousands of senior education leaders at the Schools & Academies Show Birmingham, taking place on 18–19 November 2026 at the NEC Birmingham, and discover why it's become the UK's leading event for school improvement.
Key Event Details:
- Schools & Academies Show
Co-Located with the SEND Conference, EdTech Summit & Independent Schools Conference
- Event Dates: 18th & 19th November 2026
- Location: NEC, Birmingham
- Registration Link: https://hubs.la/Q04krTWQ0
- Free for all schools, including MATs, academies, independent schools, colleges, universities, local authorities and central government and the wider public sector.
