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SITGES 2026 CONFERENCE

SITGES 2026 NABSS Conference

“LEARNING WITHOUT BORDERS”

The National Association of British Schools in Spain’s 48th annual conference will be held from 5th to 8th March 2026 in Sitges.

The programme will include our annual general meeting, gala dinner and some outstanding keynote speakers. A range of workshops will be provided for teachers and leaders of all phases.

The exhibition room, in which we expect to host over fifty educational resources and services providers, will be, as always, the central hub of the conference.

The chosen venue is the Hotel Meliá Sitges, which provides an excellent location in the beautiful coastal town of Sitges. The gala dinner will be held at a specially chosen external venue.

The full conference programme will be published in due course. In the meantime, here is an overview, and details of the main workshops.

Soon Awards

Programme

Sitges

Sitges is a Mediterranean coastal town about 35 kilometres southwest of Barcelona, located in the Garraf area in the province of Barcelona, in Catalonia, Spain. Sheltered by the Garraf mountains and due to its geographical position in the Mediterranean, Sitges has a warm “micro-climate” that makes it possible to enjoy outdoor activities almost every day of the year and is renowned worldwide for its Film Festival and Carnival.

Sitges has been referred to as the Saint-Tropez of Spain with property prices approaching those of the most expensive European cities, the main reason for this being the setting by the sea and the surrounding Parc Natural del Garraf.

Proximity to Barcelona-El Prat Airport is also a major advantage and it is also known for its beaches, nightspots, and historical sites

Meliá Sitges Hotel****

An amazing place combining the best holiday environment with excellent event organisation

Leading hotel for congresses and conventions in Barcelona. It offers a flexible convention centre with 21 fully renovated, adapted and equipped meeting rooms. More than 1,200 m2 of space for exhibitions with natural light and easy access.

Transfers

BARCELONA AIRPORT/ SITGES

Bus

There are autocars that go directly from the Barcelona Airport to Sitges. The MonBus leaves from the exterior area of Terminal 1 (T1).

If your flight touches down in T2, you will have to use the free transportation service to transfer from T2 to T1. Once you are at T1, you will be able to take the autocar to travel to Sitges.

The MonBus departs every hour on the hour from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, the bus departs every two hours. On Sundays and holidays, the bus departs four times. If you would like further details regarding the price and schedule of the bus service, you can consult the MonBus website. Click on ‘Schedule Search’ and then type in ‘Airport’ to ‘Sitges’. You will be able to view the schedules for Monday to Friday, Saturdays, Sundays and the night schedule as well.

Taxi

The distance from the Barcelona Airport to Sitges is approximately 32 kilometers. The taxi ride is about 30 minutes and costs approximately

Particular/Other Transfer: reserve via Hatton Events:

Joseluis.jimenez@hattonevents.com

Train transfer from Sitges to Barcelona Airport

There are no direct trains that travel from the Barcelona Airport to Sitges. It would be necessary to take the RENFE R2 Nord train from the airport and get off at the first stop which is called El Prat de Llobregat. From here you will be able to take the train to Sitges.

If you arrive at Terminal 1 (T1) you will not be able to travel on foot to the train station because it is 4 km away. The suggested route would be to ride to the train on the transfers bus which is located in the exterior of the terminal.

To be able to view the train hours and schedule it is necessary to go to the local train section of the RENFE: Cercanías website.

How to travel in train to Sitges from Barcelona

There are three main train stations in Barcelona that offer a transfer service to Sitges: Estació de França, Passeig de Gràcia and Estación Sants. The train C2 travels from France to Passeig de Gràcia to Sants and then Sitges. The final destination on

The night bus departs four times every hour.

To obtain more information or details regarding the MonBus hours and schedule, you may consult the official MonBus website. Click on ‘Schedule Search’ and type in ‘Airport’ to ‘Sitges’. The schedules offered are from Monday to Friday, Saturdays, Sundays and nights. It is important to verify these times since the buses may be susceptible to changes.

How to travel to Sitges from Barcelona in Taxi

Sitges is about 42 km south of Barcelona. A taxi would take approximately 40 minutes.

Particular/Other Transfer reserve via Hatton Events:

Joseluis.jimenez@hattonevents.com

INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS

Hatton Events, S.L.L. – CALLE PRINCESA 22, 2º DCHA. 28008 MADRID

Telephone 0034 91 000 60 10 (Spanish – José Luis Jiménez) – 0034 607 66 66 82 (English- Alberto de Diego)

joseluis.jimenez@hattonevents.com

Guest speakers

SIR ALEX ELLIS (Pending confirmation)

Sir Alex Ellis was appointed as His Majesty’s Ambassador to Spain and Andorra in September 2024. Previously, Alex served as the British High Commissioner to the Republic of India (2021 to 2024) and before that, he worked as the Deputy National Security Adviser in the Cabinet Office (2020) focussed on foreign and security policy.

Alex joined the FCDO (then FCO) in 1990 and has extensive experience across a range of diplomatic, EU, security and strategy roles, including in some other Government Departments:

Director General in the Department for Exiting the European Union, responsible for the UK-EU security partnership, international agreements with the UK’s closest partners and domestic and EU engagement on Brexit (2017 to 2019)
British Ambassador to Brazil (2013 to 2017) and Portugal (2007 to 2010)
Director of Strategy responsible for developing new tools for improving FCO and government policy (2011 to 2013)
Advisor to the President of the European Commission, with responsibility for energy, climate change, competition, development, trade and strategy (2005 to 2007)
Madrid Counsellor EU and Global Issues (2003 to 2005)

Prior to this, Alex was a teacher in the UK and overseas. He sings in a choir and loves music, theatre and most sports. He is married to Teresa, and they have one son, Tomás, who is on the autistic spectrum.

Keynote Speakers

MARTIN ILLINGWOTH

Martin Illingworth is a prominent figure for his work in promoting creative and engaging teaching practices. He is a strong advocate for giving young people a voice in education. In his book Forget School: Why Young People Are Succeeding on Their Own Terms, he argues that traditional schooling often fails to prepare students for the realities of the modern world. He encourages educators to reconsider what “success” means and adapt teaching methods to better align with the skills young people need outside the classroom. Martin emphasises the importance of creativity in teaching and learning. He inspires teachers to design lessons that engage students more deeply and foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation.

While based in the UK, Martin’s ideas resonate globally, particularly in countries seeking to balance traditional education models with the demands of a rapidly changing world. His work contributes to a global dialogue on the future of education and the role of teachers in shaping it.

MARC ANDERSON

Mark is an internationally-known and respected speaker, educator, an Amazon #1 best-selling author, consultant and former school leader who specialises in supporting schools to adopt the very best practices to develop teaching and learning in an ever-changing world. His keynotes are practical and grounded in evidence-informed approaches and cognitive science, to ensure that everyone leaves empowered to make changes that will have both immediate and lasting impact.

ALEXANDRA READ

Dr. Alexandra Read was the Head of Learning Technology for the Girls Day School Trust until January 2026 leading on developing digital strategy and technology proficiency in GDST schools and creating more opportunities for girls and women in STEM. Prior to joining the GDST Alexandra worked for 12 years in the international independent schools sector for ACS International Schools and started her career teaching technology in Collier County Public Schools in Florida U.S.A. Her areas of interest and expertise include values-driven educational leadership and culture, socially responsible approaches to using technology to innovate and transform teaching and learning, gender and diversity in technology education, AI strategy and implementing data solutions, technology coaching, and strategic curriculum planning to promote creativity. Her PhD research explored the relationship between the technology proficiency of educational leaders and their schools. Alexandra currently offers consultancy and support services for UK and international school leaders in technology and digital transformation, AI and STEM in education

PROFESSOR RUPERT WEGERIF

He is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge and the founder and academic director of the Digital Education Futures Initiative at Hughes Hall, Cambridge. His research focuses on the role of dialogue and technology in learning. In the thirty years since his PhD in educational technology at the Open University he has focused on developing a new theory and practice of education for the digital age. His recent book with Louis Major ‘The Theory of Educational Technology: A Dialogic Framework for Design’ (Routledge, 2024) suggests ways to re-think education in the light of the AI-enhanced Internet and his latest book ‘Rethinking Educational Theory: Education as expanding dialogue’ (Edward Elgar, 2025) puts forward a coherent vision of education for the future.

Chus Pérez Crespo

Chus works as Safeguarding Manager and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Lead for the British Council in Spain. She worked for five years at the British Council School as the Safeguarding and Wellbeing Coordinator, providing advice to the Government, from the School experience, to help introduce the obligation, by law (LOPIVI), for all Spanish schools to have safeguarding leads. Psychologist and mediator, she has over 27 years of professional experience working with children and families, cultural diversity, forensic psychology, and alternative dispute resolution systems, both in public and private institutions. She has worked closely with practitioners from the legal system. An experienced speaker and trainer, she has worked with many companies, universities, and professional associations, and has published specialized articles in her fields of expertise.

Dr. Alexandra Tomescu

Dr Alexandra Tomescu is a Product Specialist in AI Machine Learning at Oxford University Press, where she leads the Education Division’s strategy for integrating AI into educational products and workflows. With over a decade of experience in EdTech and international publishing, she has spearheaded the creation of adaptive learning tools for international curricula, contributed to the OECD’s PISA 2025 Science Framework, and shaped digital learning platforms. She is passionate about exploring the intersection of technology and pedagogy, in order to transform learning experiences worldwide.

Les Hopper

Les has nearly 20 years’ experience working with educators, technologists and academics to produce market leading learning solutions. He is passionate about the power of education to change lives, and the potential that technology offers to support a high-quality education. Les currently works as Product Director covering Digital and Assessment, qualifications and publishing for Pearson’s UK business.

Training Course Presenters

PHIL ARMSTRONG

Phil Armstrong, Senior Education Lead at Early Excellence. With a keen eye on the national agenda, policy developments, research and practice, Phil is a key member of our Early Excellence Strategic Leadership Team. He leads on educational developments and their implications for schools, offering consultancy and training to schools across England and internationally, focused on school improvement priorities. Previously Phil worked for over 20yrs across the early years and primary sector, including teacher, leader and headship positions. Phil was also the Head of an integrated early years centre. With a passion for collaborative practice and professional development; Phil has worked in partnership with early years settings, schools, teaching schools and local authorities to develop and deliver personalised programmes to meet their needs

FAYE MORRIS

As a Teaching and Learning advisor, Faye is responsible for working directly with schools to help them get the best out of the Great Teaching Toolkit. She spends her time delivering training and providing support to school teams, enabling them to develop a programme of professional development that works in their context. As a former primary school teacher and deputy head, Faye is passionate about supporting teachers to strengthen their subject knowledge and pedagogy, empowering them to create engaging, well-sequenced lessons that meet the needs of all learners. She is particularly committed to helping teachers reflect on and refine their practice through evidence-informed approaches, ensuring that professional learning has a direct and positive impact on student outcomes.

MATTHEW MCFALL

Matthew is one of the (if not the) leading experts on the power of curiosity and wonder in the classroom. His second doctorate explores the practicalities and benefits of wonder in formal and informal education, with the key message that exploring wonder generates more wonder.

Matthew has worked across the world on multiple curious projects, from explaining the mysteries of quantum science at the Royal Institute, London, to advising on learning and engagement at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. He is a designer of mazes, puzzles, and conjuring effects, and is currently exploring the uses of Escape Rooms to generate meaningful and memorable experiences.

Matthew looks forward to taking the delegates on an enchanting journey of their own learning, helping them identify ways that wonder and curiosity can become part of everyday learning in all classrooms, across the school, and beyond.

Ian Gilbert

Ian Gilbert is an award-winning education author, editor, publisher and speaker who has lived and worked across five continents. In 1995 he established the unique UK educational platform, Independent Thinking, consistently bringing together some of the best speakers and practitioners to help schools help education do its job of ‘making things better’. The author of Essential Motivation in the Classroom and Why Do I Need a Teacher When I’ve Got Google?, both published by Routledge where he is now a Series Editor, he also published titles under the Independent Thinking Press including works by Hywel Roberts, Nina Jackson and Jonathan Lear along with his own his highly popular Thunks books.

DAVE HARRIS

Dave Harris was a teacher for over 30 years headteacher for over 12 of these, working across all the phases of education. He believes that education is too important not to enjoy. He spends much of his time in schools across the globe trying to promote a positivity toward learning in all he meets. He is proud to have worked with some great educational thinkers, co-authoring 2 books with Prof John west Burnham, writing 3 more with Ian Gilbert & playing a key part in the day to day running of the Independent thinking team. He has been a governor, Consultant and Chief examiner in his time & is never happier than when working with passionate educators.

MARTIN MORGAN

Martin Morgan is a highly respected educational trainer and leadership expert dedicated to developing excellence in schools. Through his organisation, Empower Education, he delivers impactful training programs to a diverse clientele, having supported British schools across Spain, Denmark, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. Martin’s work focuses on providing leaders and teachers with the tools to cultivate environments where both staff and students can thrive, and he is an expert in translating complex educational research into practical and accessible classroom strategies. His extensive experience in the sector is highlighted by his continuing work with the renowned Professor John Hattie. Furthermore, he has contributed his expertise on a global scale through his involvement with the World Education Summit. Martin is passionate about building sustainable capacity within schools, ensuring they are equipped for long-term success.

PROFESSOR ROSE LUCKIN

Rosemary (Rose) Luckin is a Professor at University College London and Founder of Educate ventures Research (EVR) who has spent over 30 years developing and studying AI for Education. She is renowned for her research into the design and evaluation of educational echnology and AI. She was named as one of the 20 most influential people in education in the Seldon List in 2017, the only non-US winner of the ISTE Impact Award, and one of Computer Weekly’s top 50 most influential women in technology for 2023. Rose regularly provides expert evidence to policymakers like the UK Parliament’s House of Lords and House of Commons select committees and the European Commission.

Rose has published widely in academic journals, at international conferences, through books, and in news media (TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines). Her 2018 book, Machine Learning and Human Intelligence: The Future of Education for the 21st Century, has been translated into Mandarin and influenced many of China’s leading AI companies. Her most recent book, AI for School Teachers (2022), is an essential and accessible guide to AI for anyone in education.

MADIHA KHAN

Madiha is an AI researcher and Director of AI Services at Educate Ventures Research. She Works closely with school networks and policy makers in developing ethical and purposeful approaches towards AI. Her particular area of interest is in the use of data and AI to extract meaningful insights about teaching and learning. She has a PhD in self-regulated learning, specifically exploring a learning analytics approach towards monitoring tutor co-regulation of Learners in an online classroom.

Workshops 2026

Workshop 1: THE CHILD AT THE HEART

Phill Amstrong

Together we will be unlocking the potential of the learning environment and exploring ways to truly bringing it to life as powerful habitat for inspirational learning for all! These workshops will enrich your professional knowledge of outstanding practice and enable you to identify practical ways to shape actions for the future development of your school – ensuring every child has the best possible start to their unique learning journey. This course is particularly suited to:

We will be considering key indicators of quality in the Early Years and Key Stage One and explore how this information can support schools with addressing their current priorities.
We will look at how key areas of provision can be planned to maximise curriculum links and ensure progression.
We will also look at ways to meaningfully connect a curriculum that begins in the Early Years; exploring the key foundational knowledge, skills, understanding and learning behaviours that children develop as they move through the school.
Throughout the workshops we will also being exploring ways to successfully improve the quality of interactions, improving outcomes across the curriculum for all children: ensuring that adults can be the best possible partners in play and learning.
Finally, we will reflect on transition from the early years to key stage one and explore examples successful and inspiring high-quality practice.

Workshop 2: Teaching For The Future

Faye Morris

Inclusive strategies have the potential to improve outcomes and classroom culture for all learners. So, if inclusive teaching benefits everyone, what do teachers actually need to make it work?…

This course, particularly suited to Primary teachers, will help participants to:

Build a shared understanding of how children learn, including children with additional learning needs, and why this matters for inclusive practice;
Develop an understanding of how you might adapt a scheme of work to support inclusive practice;
Build a bank of strategies that aim to reduce cognitive load;
Understand how we can support pupils to develop self-regulation and metacognitive strategies;
Implement practical strategies that energise your teaching and inspire your students’ learning journey and inspiring high-quality practice.

Workshop 3: DEVELOPING CURIOUS CLASSROOMS

Dr. Matthew McFall

This course is suited to teachers of all age ranges and will explore curiosity, wonder, and awe in their multitude of forms. It will be grounded in insight, practicality, and the joy of direct encounter and discovery. Through a combination of theory and practice, the session will equip educators with the tools needed to foster a culture of curiosity and wonder within their schools. By embracing approaches that encourage questioning and open-ended investigation, teachers can nurture a sense of excitement and engagement in their students, making learning both memorable and transformative. The course will highlight real-world examples and success stories, illustrating the impact that a wonder-rich environment can have on academic achievement and personal growth.

Throughout the session, participants will be encouraged to reflect on their own teaching practices and consider how small changes can have a profound impact on student engagement. The course will also offer guidance on overcoming common barriers to cultivating wonder, such as rigid curriculum structures or a lack of resources, providing practical solutions that can be readily implemented within any educational setting.

Seeking Wonder: How do we understand wonder, and how does it relate to curiosity and awe?
The Heritage of Wonder: What are the traditions of wonder, and how can we bring them into our schools?
Embedding Wonder: Practical strategies for integrating wonder into the curriculum.
Growing Wonder: Hands-on activities to spark imagination.

Workshop 4: ESSENTIAL MOTIVATION IN THE CLASSROOM

Ian Gilbert

Inspired by ideas and approaches from his best-selling book Essential Motivation the Classroom, course is relevant to teachers and leaders of all age ranges. The premise of the book is not ‘How do I motivate my students?’ but ‘How do my students motivate themselves?’ and this interactive and provocative course will take delegates through

Seven Keys to Motivation.
1. Seeing the point of what we’re doing.
2. Enjoying doing it.
3. Doing it because we want to do it.
4. Having the sense that what we are doing is relevant and useful.
5. Feeling that we are doing it with people who value us.
6. Not feeling excessively stressed or scared when we do it.
7. Knowing that by attempting it, we can make things better.

What’s more, Ian sets his work against the backdrop of the complex and challenging world where the very point and purpose of school – along with the nature of schooling – is changing in ways we have not yet grasped.

He will pose the five big questions facing education and educators in 2026 and beyond and explore why having effective learning strategies in the classroom is important – but don’t just start there and don’t just end there.

With practical examples and ideas drawn from over thirty years working with schools across the UK and further afield, Ian will help delegates explore how getting the best out of students in the classroom works better when they want to get the best out of themselves.

Workshop 5: MIDDLE LEADERSHIP – WHAT WORKS AND WHY?

Dave Harris

Dave will bring research and tips from his successful leadership books, including Leadership Dialogues, co-authored with Professor John West-Burnham. The sessions will contain numerous practical tools, extensive discussion, and will help all middle leaders approach their jobs with a heightened sense of optimism.

This course is suitable for middle leaders of all phases.

Why are things so demanding in schools at the moment? Does it sometimes feel like plaiting fog? Or maybe tap dancing on ice is how you sometimes feel? Understanding the ‘why’s’ will actually help you see ways to combat the madness. In particular what are the pressures of middle leadership?
What does research say are the key characteristics of great leaders? We will look at the role of moral leadership and how your values may be the most important part of the role you fulfil.
Different styles of leadership. We do not all approach the job in the same way, nor should we. We will look at various ways to categorise leadership, but more importantly investigate how those differences can be used to improve the effectiveness of the teams you work in. We will look at methods of individual coaching and check our own practice against known successful strategies
Collaboration is key. Looking at ways to work together between areas, ages and schools. We will look at what makes collaboration successful and consider how looking outside our own expertise can often bring depth and strength to our work
A little understanding of the brain and how it affects our learning and behaviour will help your leadership greatly. In this session we will look at how we can make the brain more effective and investigate how every leader should be seeding a little curiosity in the area that they lead.

Workshop 6: FROM ENGAGEMENT TO EMPOWERMENT

Martin Morgan

Are you ready to transform your classroom into a dynamic, student-led learning environment? Join renowned educational expert Martin Morgan for an intensive workshop designed to equip you with the tools to foster student autonomy, make learning transparent, and ensure every learner achieves their full potential.

Drawing on his expertise in translating research into practice, Martin will guide you through a powerful, practical framework focusing on the core strategies that create confident, curious, and independent learners.

This workshop is essential for teachers and school leaders who are committed to fostering student agency, deepening learning, and achieving outstanding results. You will leave with:

A toolkit of practical differentiation strategies.
Methods to increase student responsibility and autonomy.
A deep understanding of formative assessment and feedback models.
A framework for planning and implementing powerful questioning techniques.
Confidence in creating a classroom culture where student inquiry and deep thinking are the norm.

Workshop 7: AI ESSENTIALS FOR TEACHERS

Dr. Madiha Khan

Educational institutions are increasingly recognizing the transformative potential of AI technologies to enhance teaching and learning, streamline administrative processes, and provide personalised learning experiences. There is a growing need for professional development that addresses both the practical applications of AI in educational settings and the strategic considerations for implementing AI at an organisational level. Teachers want support in understanding how AI can enhance their teaching practice. This workshop is therefore designed to help teachers understand AI, its applications in the classroom, and practical implementation strategies to enhance teaching and learning.

This course is suitable for both primary and secondary teachers. Key topics will include:

Fundamentals of AI and its applications in education.
Practical applications of AI tools in the classroom.
Implementation planning and integration into teaching practice.
Ethical considerations and digital safety when using AI with students.

Workshop 8: AI ESSENTIALS FOR SCHOOL MANAGERS

Prof. Rose Luckin

Educational institutions are increasingly recognizing the transformative potential of AI technologies to enhance teaching and learning, streamline administrative processes, and provide personalised learning experiences. There is a growing need for professional development that addresses both the practical applications of AI in educational settings and the strategic considerations for implementing AI at an organisational level. Teachers need support to understand how AI can enhance their teaching practice, while school leaders require guidance on how to develop AI strategies that reduce administrative workload and establish ethical governance frameworks.

This course is designed for particularly suited to school leaders and managers to develop AI strategies that reduce administrative workload, support decision-making, and establish ethical governance frameworks. Key topics will include:

Fundamentals of AI and its applications in education.
Strategic approaches to AI adoption in educational settings.
Purpose driven approach towards AI use-cases
Ethical governance frameworks for AI use.
Implementation planning and capacity building for AI initiatives.