Leeds College of Building Sponsors Inclusive Leadership Conference

February 20, 2026 Off By

Over 300 delegates gather to discuss inclusive education and leadership

Leeds College of Building (LCB) played a key role as a main sponsor of the recent Inclusive Leadership and Practice Conference organised by the Leeds Learning Alliance (LLA). The event took place at Carr Manor Community School and attracted more than 300 delegates from Leeds and surrounding areas.

The conference focused on improving outcomes for children and young people by bringing together leaders and practitioners from education and partner sectors. It provided a platform to explore inclusive practices and sustainable leadership in education.

Keynote speeches and expert workshops

The conference opened with a keynote address from Sir Kevan Collins, Non-Executive Director at the Department for Education. Sir Kevan shared insights into the national direction of education and engaged delegates in a question and answer session.

Following this, delegates participated in a series of workshops led by experts in the field. Highlights included:

Professor Mark Mon-Williams presenting a 2026 update from the Child of the North campaign, highlighting efforts to improve life chances for every child.
Margaret Mulholland leading a session encouraging leaders to consider necessary cultural, systemic, and behavioural changes to support struggling learners.
Professor Toby Greany sharing findings from a three-year national study on sustainable school leadership, focusing on how leaders are extending their roles to support children’s welfare and wellbeing.

Youth involvement and closing keynote

A pupil panel chaired by Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE, CEO of Leeds Rhinos, featured four young people who had participated in the LLA Youth Summit. Alongside the conference, 90 pupils from schools across Leeds collaborated to develop ideas aimed at improving the city. These contributions will feed into a youth manifesto.

The closing keynote was delivered by Liz Robinson, Co-founder and CEO of Big Education. Drawing on her experience as a headteacher and system leader, she discussed the importance of bold and vulnerable leadership. She emphasised systemic thinking and shared examples of collaborative efforts to address inequality, including initiatives to reduce barriers to British citizenship for vulnerable young people.