Categories:
Designated Teachers, Senior Leaders with responsibility for vulnerable learners, DSLs

Oxfordshire Virtual School Annual Conference 2026

Oxfordshire Virtual School Annual Conference 2026 – book your place

Date: Thursday 8 October 2026
Time: 9:00am to 3:30pm
Venue: Unipart House, Garsington Road, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2PG

Schools and settings are warmly invited to attend the Oxfordshire Virtual School Annual Conference 2026, themed:

Education as The Anchor: Building Stability and Futures for Every Child

Who should attend

This conference is aimed at:

  • Designated Teachers
  • Senior Leaders with responsibility for vulnerable learners
  • Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs)
  • Professionals working closely with:
    • care experienced children
    • children with a social worker
    • children in kinship care

About the conference

The day will explore how education can act as a powerful and consistent anchor for children experiencing instability, disrupted learning and trauma.

We are delighted to welcome Louise Bombèr as our keynote speaker. Her internationally recognised expertise in attachment‑aware and trauma‑responsive practice will set the tone for the day, with a strong focus on relational, practical approaches that schools and settings can apply directly.

What’s included

The programme will include:

  • Reflections from the Virtual School Head on the evolving role of Virtual Schools, including recent and forthcoming national policy changes
  • A session from Linda Culling, Senior HMI (Schools), South East, on Ofsted and inclusion, including expectations for vulnerable learners
  • Contributions from children, young people and professionals across the partnership
  • Partner organisation stalls showcasing practical resources and examples of best practice

Relational practice will run as a central thread throughout the day.

Free places and booking

  • Primary and Early Years settings: 1 free place for your Designated Teacher
  • Secondary and Further Education settings: up to 2 free places

Free places are first come, first served, so early booking is strongly encouraged.

Book your place via Oxfordshire Education Services

A full programme will be shared with delegates closer to the time. Please see the conference poster (pdf, 300kb) for further detail.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Oxfordshire Virtual School