NAHT’s regional roadshow events are creating space for honest dialogue and direct engagement with school leaders across England. Here, Leadership Focus journalist Nic Paton explores how the events are helping the union listen to members’ concerns and gather their views on key education reforms and challenges.
Listening to school leaders
School leaders understand the value of face-to-face engagement and dialogue. It is central to the role of educationalists; indeed, every day they help shape and celebrate the potential of all young people in the school system.
As a trade union representing more than 38,000 school leaders in every phase and sector of education, NAHT is no different, as general secretary Paul Whiteman emphasises.
“It is important to us as a trade union, and to me personally, that we are truly a union of our members, which is core to my trade union values,” he tells Leadership Focus.
“I am the representative of our members’ thoughts and ambitions for the profession. When I speak for the union, I speak for members’ voices, not my own. That is why we are going out on the road and hearing from members on the education frontline. Every now and again, it is essential for us to do this.”
Listening to school leaders
School leaders understand the value of face-to-face engagement and dialogue. It is central to the role of educationalists; indeed, every day they help shape and celebrate the potential of all young people in the school system.
As a trade union representing more than 38,000 school leaders in every phase and sector of education, NAHT is no different, as general secretary Paul Whiteman emphasises.
“It is important to us as a trade union, and to me personally, that we are truly a union of our members, which is core to my trade union values,” he tells Leadership Focus.
“I am the representative of our members’ thoughts and ambitions for the profession. When I speak for the union, I speak for members’ voices, not my own. That is why we are going out on the road and hearing from members on the education frontline. Every now and again, it is essential for us to do this.”
Full-day roadshow
What Paul is referring to is the series of regional roadshow events that NAHT has been running up and down England since February and will conclude later this month (March).
Each full-day event so far has taken place in major cities: Birmingham, Liverpool and York. The final two events will be in Bristol and London, with the series ending in the capital on 25 March 2026. For more details on specific venues and times, refer to the panel at the end of this article.
Hear from delegates at the Birmingham regional roadshow and NAHT’s general secretary on why the events are timely and meaningful in light of the government’s release of the schools white paper.
Hear from delegates at the Birmingham regional roadshow and NAHT’s general secretary on why the events are timely and meaningful in light of the government’s release of the schools white paper.
The roadshow events, run by NAHT with law firm Browne Jacobson and the National Governance Association (NGA), include presentations and updates on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms, Ofsted, parental complaints, the Employment Rights Act and the ‘educational landscape’. They also include panel discussions, providing a forum for members’ feedback and insight.
ROB KELSALL,
NAHT ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY
“The genesis of this work lies in a simple but urgent reality: across the education sector, school leaders are facing a tsunami of challenges,” explains NAHT assistant general secretary (organising, representation, bargaining and campaigns) Rob Kelsall.
“As a union, we believe it is vital that those of us who sit at the table with the government and policymakers remain firmly connected to the realities of daily life in schools. That means getting out of offices and into communities – meeting members in their own backyards, listening to their experiences and ensuring their voices shape the positions we take nationally.”
That belief is what led NAHT to take its work on the road, visiting cities and regions across England. “Unions are at their strongest when they are visible, accessible and rooted in the lived experience of their members,” Rob says.
“Our members are on the frontline of the education system, and their insight is not just valuable, it is essential.
“The most powerful way we can engage with members and have honest, meaningful dialogue is by being out and about: talking with people face to face, listening carefully and understanding what is really happening in schools. That is how we build trust, strengthen our collective voice and make sure our advocacy reflects the authentic experiences of school leaders,” he adds.
Full-day roadshow
What Paul is referring to is the series of regional roadshow events that NAHT has been running up and down England since February and will conclude later this month (March).
Each full-day event so far has taken place in major cities: Birmingham, Liverpool and York. The final two events will be in Bristol and London, with the series ending in the capital on 25 March 2026. For more details on specific venues and times, refer to the panel at the end of this article.
Hear from delegates at the Birmingham regional roadshow and NAHT’s general secretary on why the events are timely and meaningful in light of the government’s release of the schools white paper.
Hear from delegates at the Birmingham regional roadshow and NAHT’s general secretary on why the events are timely and meaningful in light of the government’s release of the schools white paper.
The roadshow events, run by NAHT with law firm Browne Jacobson and the National Governance Association (NGA), include presentations and updates on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms, Ofsted, parental complaints, the Employment Rights Act and the ‘educational landscape’. They also include panel discussions, providing a forum for members’ feedback and insight.
ROB KELSALL,
NAHT ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY
“The genesis of this work lies in a simple but urgent reality: across the education sector, school leaders are facing a tsunami of challenges,” explains NAHT assistant general secretary (organising, representation, bargaining and campaigns) Rob Kelsall.
“As a union, we believe it is vital that those of us who sit at the table with the government and policymakers remain firmly connected to the realities of daily life in schools. That means getting out of offices and into communities – meeting members in their own backyards, listening to their experiences and ensuring their voices shape the positions we take nationally.”
That belief is what led NAHT to take its work on the road, visiting cities and regions across England. “Unions are at their strongest when they are visible, accessible and rooted in the lived experience of their members,” Rob says.
“Our members are on the frontline of the education system, and their insight is not just valuable, it is essential.
“The most powerful way we can engage with members and have honest, meaningful dialogue is by being out and about: talking with people face to face, listening carefully and understanding what is really happening in schools. That is how we build trust, strengthen our collective voice and make sure our advocacy reflects the authentic experiences of school leaders,” he adds.
Governors and trustees
The involvement of the NGA adds further depth and perspective, Rob highlights. “The major issues facing school leaders – Ofsted, funding pressures, SEND reforms, parental complaints – are not challenges for school leaders alone. They are shared by governing boards and trustees, so it makes absolute sense to come together.
“By working alongside the NGA, we create space not only to understand what is happening now and what lies ahead but also to debate, challenge and develop solutions together. Crucially, it allows us to take a stronger, more united message back to the government – one grounded in the realities of schools and the collective experience of those who lead and govern them,” he explains.
JAMES BOWEN,
NAHT ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY
“Our regional roadshow events have provided an exciting opportunity for us to go out and meet members, essentially,” agrees NAHT assistant general secretary (policy, research, press and communications) James Bowen, who, along with education lawyer Katie Michelon and colleagues from Browne Jacobson, will be speaking to members about parental complaints.
“To an extent, of course, we engage with members all the time through branch meetings as well as national and regional events. But being able to take a large group to different parts of the country, cover different areas of expertise, and engage, listen to and interact with members at a practical level is very valuable.
“It is an opportunity to talk to members about the work we’re doing and, crucially, to hear what their priorities are. We’ve tried to identify the most pressing issues at the moment. So, things like the white paper, SEND, parental complaints and where we are with Ofsted – the topics we think are most on members’ minds.
A delegate shares their experience of attending NAHT’s regional roadshow.
A delegate shares their experience of attending NAHT’s regional roadshow.
“We can discuss where we’re making progress and where we still face challenges, and hear from members about what else they would like us to do – the areas they want us to push on. For example, we can talk about our work on parental complaints, but is there any particular aspect they want us to focus on and take back to the Department for Education (DfE)? Hopefully, it will have been a real two-way process.
“Being able to get their initial reactions to the government’s new white paper is hugely valuable, too.
“It is also a chance for members to network with other leaders from their region. As a union, staying in touch with the people on the frontline is always imperative, and this is a good way to do that,” James adds.
A delegate reflects on how attending the NAHT regional roadshow has supported them.
A delegate reflects on how attending the NAHT regional roadshow has supported them.
Governors and trustees
The involvement of the NGA adds further depth and perspective, Rob highlights. “The major issues facing school leaders – Ofsted, funding pressures, SEND reforms, parental complaints – are not challenges for school leaders alone. They are shared by governing boards and trustees, so it makes absolute sense to come together.
“By working alongside the NGA, we create space not only to understand what is happening now and what lies ahead but also to debate, challenge and develop solutions together. Crucially, it allows us to take a stronger, more united message back to the government – one grounded in the realities of schools and the collective experience of those who lead and govern them,” he explains.
JAMES BOWEN,
NAHT ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY
“Our regional roadshow events have provided an exciting opportunity for us to go out and meet members, essentially,” agrees NAHT assistant general secretary (policy, research, press and communications) James Bowen, who, along with education lawyer Katie Michelon and colleagues from Browne Jacobson, will be speaking to members about parental complaints.
“To an extent, of course, we engage with members all the time through branch meetings as well as national and regional events. But being able to take a large group to different parts of the country, cover different areas of expertise, and engage, listen to and interact with members at a practical level is very valuable.
“It is an opportunity to talk to members about the work we’re doing and, crucially, to hear what their priorities are. We’ve tried to identify the most pressing issues at the moment. So, things like the white paper, SEND, parental complaints and where we are with Ofsted – the topics we think are most on members’ minds.
A delegate shares their experience of attending NAHT’s regional roadshow.
A delegate shares their experience of attending NAHT’s regional roadshow.
“We can discuss where we’re making progress and where we still face challenges, and hear from members about what else they would like us to do – the areas they want us to push on. For example, we can talk about our work on parental complaints, but is there any particular aspect they want us to focus on and take back to the Department for Education (DfE)? Hopefully, it will have been a real two-way process.
“Being able to get their initial reactions to the government’s new white paper is hugely valuable, too.
“It is also a chance for members to network with other leaders from their region. As a union, staying in touch with the people on the frontline is always imperative, and this is a good way to do that,” James adds.
A delegate reflects on how attending the NAHT regional roadshow has supported them.
A delegate reflects on how attending the NAHT regional roadshow has supported them.
Ofsted and inspection
“It is an opportunity for us to connect with and hear from both members and people who are not yet members,” emphasises NAHT head of policy (professional) Ian Hartwright, who will be leading the discussions on Ofsted inspection and reform.
IAN HARTWRIGHT,
NAHT HEAD OF POLICY (PROFESSIONAL)
“For me, it is a way for us to engage members a bit more in the policy work we’re doing, the campaigning we’re doing, and encourage them to be active and participate fully.
“It is the members, after all, who make up the union; they are the decision-makers. When we look ahead to NAHT’s Annual Conference, they are the ones who set the agenda through the motions submitted. And that is the work we then focus on during the year.
“I’ll be talking about the campaigns that we have been running around Ofsted and inspection, the successes we have achieved, the difference we have made and the small wins that have often been very hard won,” he adds.
“The biggest win, of course, was that we removed the overarching judgement for inspections. That is something that pressure and lobbying brought about through evidence and argument. That is not something Ofsted or the government particularly wanted to do.
“I’ll also be talking about our campaign for a judicial review. Ultimately, our request was refused, but it was a success just getting to what is called a permission hearing. That is a particularly difficult thing to achieve. We also made a good enough argument to get to an appeal.
“However, being explicit, none of the above has ‘solved’ the problem with inspection. We’re opposed to the new inspection approach, and I’ll want to get a sense of how members are finding it – what it’s like on the ground.
“The initial feedback I’m getting from members is that, unfortunately, the intensity of inspections is the worst they’ve ever experienced, even when some of them are having good outcomes. The weight of inspection is still being placed on school leaders. So that is something we will definitely want to drill down into to ensure we offer the best support and protection to members. Our campaign is far from over, so we’ll be talking about the next steps to achieve full system reform,” Ian adds.
Ofsted and inspection
“It is an opportunity for us to connect with and hear from both members and people who are not yet members,” emphasises NAHT head of policy (professional) Ian Hartwright, who will be leading the discussions on Ofsted inspection and reform.
IAN HARTWRIGHT,
NAHT HEAD OF POLICY (PROFESSIONAL)
“For me, it is a way for us to engage members a bit more in the policy work we’re doing, the campaigning we’re doing, and encourage them to be active and participate fully.
“It is the members, after all, who make up the union; they are the decision-makers. When we look ahead to NAHT’s Annual Conference, they are the ones who set the agenda through the motions submitted. And that is the work we then focus on during the year.
“I’ll be talking about the campaigns that we have been running around Ofsted and inspection, the successes we have achieved, the difference we have made and the small wins that have often been very hard won,” he adds.
“The biggest win, of course, was that we removed the overarching judgement for inspections. That is something that pressure and lobbying brought about through evidence and argument. That is not something Ofsted or the government particularly wanted to do.
“I’ll also be talking about our campaign for a judicial review. Ultimately, our request was refused, but it was a success just getting to what is called a permission hearing. That is a particularly difficult thing to achieve. We also made a good enough argument to get to an appeal.
“However, being explicit, none of the above has ‘solved’ the problem with inspection. We’re opposed to the new inspection approach, and I’ll want to get a sense of how members are finding it – what it’s like on the ground.
“The initial feedback I’m getting from members is that, unfortunately, the intensity of inspections is the worst they’ve ever experienced, even when some of them are having good outcomes. The weight of inspection is still being placed on school leaders. So that is something we will definitely want to drill down into to ensure we offer the best support and protection to members. Our campaign is far from over, so we’ll be talking about the next steps to achieve full system reform,” Ian adds.
SEND reforms and the white paper
“I am excited about the roadshow events; I can’t wait to get out on the road,” says Marijke Miles, head teacher at Baycroft School in Fareham, Hampshire, and NAHT’s SEND and Alternative Provision Sector Council chair.
Marijke Miles shares how attending the NAHT regional roadshow events has been valuable for school leaders.
Marijke Miles shares how attending the NAHT regional roadshow events has been valuable for school leaders.
Marijke will be speaking about SEND reforms, particularly the government’s white paper (which was published just as the roadshow series kicked off) and the future ‘road map’ for SEND provision. “It is always important to hear from members and showcase the work the union is doing for them on their behalf but, just as importantly, to learn what members are experiencing on the ground,” she tells Leadership Focus.
“As school leaders we are, quite rightly, focused on the children and young people in our charge. But it is also essential to reflect on issues impacting us as a profession and the NAHT membership.
Marijke Miles talks about the education white paper and its implications for school leaders at NAHT’s regional roadshow events.
Marijke Miles talks about the education white paper and its implications for school leaders at NAHT’s regional roadshow events.
“It is so valuable to have those anecdotal discussions with members, hearing what is keeping them awake at night. It is just as important to hear how things coming from the DfE are actually landing with them, without the mitigation and context that some of us, as officials, draw on. We need to know how messages are being received in their own right and when they are simply not acceptable. This is very galvanising in terms of the need to be fighting for our members – it recalibrates your expectations and reignites your passion,” Marijke adds.
“These full-day events are as much about debating and discussing the top matters of the moment as about providing that continuous professional development for members and governors. Our hope is these roadshow events will equip members to discharge their duties more effectively going forward,” says Rob.
“There is so much change coming through right now, from SEND to Ofsted,” agrees Paul in conclusion. “More widely, we are two years into a new administration. So, what is our members’ assessment of how this government is doing on education, and what should we be feeding back as a result? It is about checking in with members to ensure our ambitions remain the right ones. So, I am very much looking forward to having those conversations with members,” he adds.
SEND reforms and the white paper
“I am excited about the roadshow events; I can’t wait to get out on the road,” says Marijke Miles, head teacher at Baycroft School in Fareham, Hampshire, and NAHT’s SEND and Alternative Provision Sector Council chair.
Marijke Miles shares how attending the NAHT regional roadshow events has been valuable for school leaders.
Marijke Miles shares how attending the NAHT regional roadshow events has been valuable for school leaders.
Marijke will be speaking about SEND reforms, particularly the government’s white paper (which was published just as the roadshow series kicked off) and the future ‘road map’ for SEND provision. “It is always important to hear from members and showcase the work the union is doing for them on their behalf but, just as importantly, to learn what members are experiencing on the ground,” she tells Leadership Focus.
“As school leaders we are, quite rightly, focused on the children and young people in our charge. But it is also essential to reflect on issues impacting us as a profession and the NAHT membership.
Marijke Miles talks about the education white paper and its implications for school leaders at NAHT’s regional roadshow events.
Marijke Miles talks about the education white paper and its implications for school leaders at NAHT’s regional roadshow events.
“It is so valuable to have those anecdotal discussions with members, hearing what is keeping them awake at night. It is just as important to hear how things coming from the DfE are actually landing with them, without the mitigation and context that some of us, as officials, draw on. We need to know how messages are being received in their own right and when they are simply not acceptable. This is very galvanising in terms of the need to be fighting for our members – it recalibrates your expectations and reignites your passion,” Marijke adds.
“These full-day events are as much about debating and discussing the top matters of the moment as about providing that continuous professional development for members and governors. Our hope is these roadshow events will equip members to discharge their duties more effectively going forward,” says Rob.
“There is so much change coming through right now, from SEND to Ofsted,” agrees Paul in conclusion. “More widely, we are two years into a new administration. So, what is our members’ assessment of how this government is doing on education, and what should we be feeding back as a result? It is about checking in with members to ensure our ambitions remain the right ones. So, I am very much looking forward to having those conversations with members,” he adds.
NAHT’s regional roadshow programme
NAHT’s programme of regional roadshow events kicked off at the end of February at the IET in Birmingham and is now nearing its conclusion, with the final event taking place at 15 Hatfields in London on 25 March 2026.
The events, run by NAHT in conjunction with law firm Browne Jacobson and the NGA, are priced at £95 for members and £145 for non-members (with non-members, of course, very welcome).
Each event will be a full day of professional development, networking and plenary discussions led by prominent voices in education, including on the following:
The education landscape/white paper
Paul Whiteman
SEND review
Marijke Miles
Ofsted inspection
Ian Hartwright
Parental complaints
James Bowen, Katie Michelon and colleagues from Browne Jacobson
Panel discussion
Paul Whiteman, NGA chief executive Emma Balchin, Katie Michelon, Ian Hartwright and NAHT president Angi Gibson
Employment
Rights Act
Paula Porter, NAHT assistant general secretary (people, advice and legal)
The education landscape/white paper
Paul Whiteman
SEND review
Marijke Miles
Ofsted inspection
Ian Hartwright
Parental complaints
James Bowen, Katie Michelon and colleagues from Browne Jacobson
Panel discussion
Paul Whiteman, NGA chief executive Emma Balchin, Katie Michelon, Ian Hartwright and NAHT president Angi Gibson
Employment
Rights Act
Paula Porter, NAHT assistant general secretary (people, advice and legal)
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