ISS Talks Programme

With two dedicated stages featuring leading heads, sector experts and top education journalists, the programme offers authoritative insight across every stage of the decision-making journey.

The Sunday Times Think Academy Stage introduces a new magazine-style format, combining news briefings, expert analysis and in-depth features.

The Good Schools Guide Forum adopts a new geographical format, making it easier for parents to compare schools according to where they live and understand the landscape at a glance.

Sunday Times Think Academy Stage | The School News that Matters to Parents

Morning Features:

• 11:45 Why board? Find out how boarding works for 21st century families.

• 12:30 How bursaries transform lives Our panel discuss how bursaries transformed their lives and what it's like to be the first in your family to attend an independent school.

Afternoon Features
Two leading London heads in conversation:

• 14:15 Jane Lunnon, Head of Alleyn's School on the changing London education landscape.

• 15:00 Liz Hewer, High Mistress of St Paul's Girls' School on parenting teenagers.

Sector leaders and experts, top education journalists and leading heads will be briefing parents on the latest private school news.

Find out what's happening with fees, bursaries, boarding, school takeovers and mergers, and how the sector is dealing with a hostile political climate.

There are two editions of the NEWS briefing:

• 11:00 North of the Thames 

• 13:30 South of the Thames

After each news briefing, The Sunday Times Think Academy stage will host extended features exploring four topics that matter to parents.

The Good Schools Guide Forum | GSG experts interrogate top heads to help you find the right school for your child

This term's Good Schools Guide Forum features an astonishing roll call of heads:

• Mark Beard, University College School (UCS) 

• David Benson, Mill Hill School 

• Kath Bransby, Waldorf UK

• Rick Clarke, St James Senior Boys’ School 

• Alastair Chirnside, St Edward's Oxford 

• Scott Crawford, Lancing College 

• Lindsey Hughes, Channing School 

• Alex Hutchinson, James Allen's Girls School

• Chris Hutchinson, Royal Russell School

• Ravi Kothakota, Emanuel School 

• Matthew Mostyn, St Edmund's College

• Adam Pettitt, Highgate School 

• Helen Pike, Magdalen College School Oxford

• Samantha Price, Cranleigh School 

• Elizabeth Stone, Winchester College 

• Susan Wijeratna, Latymer Upper School 

• Chris Wolsey, Ibstock Place

• Katharine Woodcock, Francis Holland School

Making it easy for parents to compare schools in different parts of London, this Spring The Good Schools Guide Forum is grouping their talks:

• Morning: Heads of schools NORTH of the Thames.

• Afternoon: Heads of schools SOUTH of the river.

ADVANCE TICKETS ARE FREE | Tickets on the door: £15