Dominic Wyse - Professor of Early Childhood and Primary Education at UCL Institute of Education and Founding Director of the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Pedagogy. 

Nia Richards - Director at Creativity, Culture & Education, leading initiatives like the North East Creativity Collaborative. With 13 years in secondary and further education, she founded the social enterprise Tybed in 2020, contributed to UNESCO’s Futures of Education, and holds an MA in Practitioner Research, promoting democratic, actionfocused learning; The Future of Teaching - Guy Claxton 

Mortal Fools is a multi-award-winning theatre, drama, and creative learning company based in Ashington, Northumberland - specialising in co-creating dynamic, original theatre-based art work with children, young people and communities and using it as a tool for positive social change.

Mick Waters - former Director of Curriculum at the QCA (2005–09). Previously a primary teacher, headteacher, and Chief Education Officer in Birmingham and Manchester, he’s renowned for championing meaningful, integrated curriculum design. He now consults globally and is Professor at University of Wolverhampton. 

Gary Aubin - specialist SEND consultant and Associate at the Education Endowment Foundation. A former primary/secondary teacher, SENCO, Head of Year and MAT SEND leader, he authored The Lone SENDCO and upcoming Parent’s Guide to SEND. He leads national SEND initiatives, advises government, and speaks internationally. 

Peter Hopkins - Professor of Social Geography at Newcastle University where his research focuses upon the intersections of race, religion, gender, childhood and youth, and migration and asylum. He has recently published a book on Everyday Islamophobia (Bristol University Press).

Rachel Higgenson - Rachel Higginson is an experienced educator and founder of the Finding My Voice programme—a whole-school, oracy-driven personal development initiative. With 27 years in education, she designs DfE-approved curricula, speaks as a keynote, and collaborates with Myatt & Co. Her work empowers pupils to physically and metaphorically find their voice. 

Anne de A’Echevarria - a creative learning consultant and award-winning author with a teaching career spanning primary, secondary and tertiary education. Anne has worked with many teams from nursery schools to nursing schools, clown doctors to museums educators, businesses and the BBC – any group interested in exploring how best to develop a culture of enquiry, inclusivity and creative learning within their organisation.

Rachel Simpson - a highly experienced primary education specialist whose career spans schools, universities, and international contexts. Her research centres on creativity in education and she is currently completing a PhD exploring how creative teaching enhances pre-service teachers’ engagement and resilience. Alongside her academic role, Rachel works closely with schools to deliver professional development and workshops. She is recognised as an Honorary Fellow of Durham University and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.