Cambridge Schools Conference Online

19 to 22 October 2026

Future-ready: preparing learners to thrive

Join our Cambridge Schools Conference Online in October 2026 to explore how we can prepare learners to thrive in a changing world. Building on insights from our 'Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world’ research, the conference will explore how knowledge and skills, self-management and communication and interpersonal skills can help learners navigate future opportunities and challenges.

Through a series of practical sessions exploring new ideas and perspectives, we will explore topics including oracy, executive function, digital wellbeing, critical thinking, artificial intelligence and skills development. Along the way, there will be opportunities to learn from experts, share perspectives and connect with our global Cambridge community.

The conference is free and open to all. Join sessions live or watch on demand at a time that suits you. Please click the ‘Register for session’ button within each session below.

Keynote Speaker

Meet our keynote speaker: Mitch Weathers, Author and CEO, Organized Binder

Mitch Weathers is an educator, two-time No.1 best selling author and an internationally recognised voice on executive functions in the classroom. He is best known for translating cognitive science into practical strategies that hold up in real classrooms for all students. His work focuses on developing self-management skills like organisation, task initiation, self-regulation and follow-through without adding to teachers’ workloads.

Mitch challenges us to rethink why students struggle and how intentional systems and structures can unlock their potential. His ideas give educators a shared language, concrete tools and a new lens for supporting students. In a world where technology, analog interaction and building resilience are more important than ever, Mitch’s work with executive functioning is vitally important . The habits and practices of being a student, 'Studentness', is more vital than ever in today’s educational landscape and Mitch is among those leading the charge.

Watch Mitch Weathers’ keynote video - coming soon.

Session one: Oracy for the future: helping students speak, listen and learn 

Monday 19 October, 09:00 AM (UTC+1/BST time)

Description: In this session you will have the opportunity to think about the importance of oracy and its practical application in the classroom, exploring three key questions:

• What is oracy, and why does it matter?
• How can we help students develop the confidence and skills to speak and listen effectively in different situations?
• How can oracy enhance learning across the curriculum?

This session will be useful for teachers and school leaders who want to help students develop their voice, communicate with confidence and use talk effectively for learning and life.

Session two: Creating a culture of digital wellbeing in school communities

Monday 19 October 2026, 15:00 PM (UTC+1/BST time)

Description: Drawing on insights from leading academics and practitioners, this session explores how teachers and school leaders can strengthen digital awareness and support online wellbeing among learners of all ages.

Participants will:

• develop an evidence-informed understanding of digital risks and wellbeing pressures, using insights from recent research in psychology, education and digital childhood studies
• gain practical strategies for embedding digital awareness and critical thinking into teaching and everyday classroom interaction
• explore approaches for shaping a positive digital culture, including policies, staff development and effective communication with families
• discover resources to guide conversations with learners, colleagues and parents about healthy, balanced digital habits.

This session is designed for teachers and school leaders across the Cambridge Pathway seeking to strengthen their school’s digital wellbeing provision.

Session three: Subject knowledge and skills: the big debate

Tuesday 20 October 2026, 09:00 AM (UTC+1/BST time)

Description: The debate between teaching knowledge and developing skills has long shaped education policy and practice. This session challenges the idea that educators must choose between the two and explores how both can work together to support student success.

Participants will:

• understand key arguments in the knowledge-versus-skills debate
• explore academic perspectives and practical implications
• identify ways to integrate skills into knowledge-rich curricula
• discover strategies for curriculum planning, lesson design and assessment.

By the end of the session, educators will be equipped with ideas to strengthen both knowledge acquisition and skill development, helping students become confident and capable learners.

Session four:  Subject knowledge and skills matter more than ever in the age of AI 

Tuesday 20 October 2026, 15:00 PM (UTC+1/BST time)

Description: Artificial Intelligence is transforming how learners access information, generate answers and complete tasks. Yet as AI becomes ever more capable, the importance of subject knowledge and skills is increasing rather than decreasing. This session explores why deep understanding, critical thinking and human judgement remain essential in an AI-enabled world.

Participants will:

• explore how AI is changing the relationship between information, knowledge and learning
• consider why subject knowledge and skills remain essential for critical thinking and future success
• examine practical examples of AI supporting teaching and learning without replacing cognitive effort
• reflect on how schools can develop future-ready learners through responsible and purposeful use of AI.

This session is suitable for teachers and school leaders across the Cambridge Pathway who are navigating the opportunities and challenges of AI.

Session five: Cambridge Global Perspectives: a subject for everyone

Wednesday 21 October 2026, 09:00 AM (UTC+1/BST time)

This session explores why and how to teach Cambridge Global Perspectives and understand its importance as a subject that all students can and should do. Skills taught during the research, analysis and evaluation of issues within the course can equip learners with the critical thinking, self-management and effective communication skills needed to thrive beyond school in a complex and fast-changing world.

Participants will:

• learn how to implement, teach and develop a student-focused Cambridge Global Perspectives programme
• review Cambridge IGCSE and International A Level instructional and guidance resources to help achieve excellence
• view student coursework exemplars
• discuss how to prevent and check for plagiarism, and the use of AI as a tool for research.

This session is suitable for anyone interested in understanding why Cambridge Global Perspectives is an essential course, and how to introduce it in their school programme. Also of interest to those already teaching secondary learners looking for practical resources.

Session six: Future-ready teaching start with professional development

Wednesday 21 October 2026, 15:00 PM (UTC+1/BST time)

Description: This session invites school leaders and teachers to reimagine professional development as a tool for school improvement and transformation. Building on our report, ‘Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world’, we will explore how to lead PD that is purposeful, personalised and sustainable.

Participants will:

• understand how professional development can be used to support and drive school improvement
• identify professional development opportunities in the context of their school community
• learn new ideas to share with colleagues.

This session is suitable for teachers and leaders working in a Cambridge school.

Session seven:  Executive functions for every classroom: creating safe and predictable learning environments

Thursday 22 October 2026, 09:00 AM (UTC+1/BST time)

Description: Executive functions are vital for learner success. In this session, we will explore how to develop them in every classroom.

Participants will:

• understand the connection between executive functions and self-management skills
• learn how to implement these skills across the whole school
• distinguish between core and higher order executive functions and why age-appropriate expectations are critical
• identify signs of executive dysfunction and challenge the myth that students should already know how to learn.

At the end of this session, you will have three key ways to support the development of executive functions.

Session eight: Developing skills for the future with Cambridge Advanced

Thursday 22 October 2026, 15:00 PM (UTC+1/BST time)

Description: In this session, we will share our latest thinking on skills: how they are developed across the Cambridge Pathway and how the Advanced stage allows learners to continue developing specialised skills through a smaller number of subjects.

Participants will:

• learn about plans to make skill development opportunities more visible across different Cambridge subjects · helping learners and their parents to make informed decisions as they prepare for the next stage of education or employment
• explore the new Cambridge Advanced Skills Award, a short course in Entrepreneurial Mindset currently being piloted with Cambridge schools.

Teachers and leaders will gain fresh insights into how Cambridge is helping learners develop the future-ready skills they need to thrive.