The Future of Sixth Form Spaces
How does the current state of the UK’s sixth form spaces affect the ones in our care? What challenges and opportunities lie hidden in our schools? How can these spaces be improved to promote well-being and boost cognition?
Join fellow Headteachers and senior leaders as we explore these questions and more at the launch of our research: The State of Sixth Form Spaces.
Hosted by Noble + Eaton and partners, this conference offers expert insights, interactive workshops, and practical strategies to show how thoughtful changes to the physical environment can benefit both students and schools.
The research phase has now closed, and we look forward to sharing the findings at the conference.
Register today to join us at the conference!
Join Us At the conference
Conference Agenda
Drinks Reception:
Date: 4th Feb 2026
Time: 19.00 – 20.30
Venue: Palmer & Old Lounge in the Main House
Main Event:
- 09.00 – Welcome & Introductions
- 09.15 – Introduction to Thriving Spaces & Sixth Form Research Results
- 09.45 – Sixth Form Panel Discussion: Our panel will discuss the results of our sixth form research
- 10.25 – Break
- 10.45 – Workshop Sessions
- Choose TWO out of FIVE workshop sessions available on the day. Each slot is 40 minutes long.
- Workshop #1 – Trends in the Sixth Form Market (Day & Boarding) and Strategic Solutions for the Future with James Leggett from MTM Consulting
- Workshop #2 – Lighting for Learning – Aligning Light, Body and Behaviour in Sixth Form Setting with Dr Shelley James, Founder at Age of Light Innovations
- Workshop #3 – Five New Strategies for Successful Recruitment of International Sixth Form with Mark Brooks, Director at Mark Brooks Education
- Workshop #4 – Reimagining Resilience in Education with Nicholas McKie, Founder of Persyou Ltd & Michelle Smorfitt, Resilience Researcher
- Workshop #5 – Practical Science for the Future: From Micro to Macro Scale with Mark Langley, Principal Education Lead at STEM Learning
- Choose TWO out of FIVE workshop sessions available on the day. Each slot is 40 minutes long.
- 12.15 – Lunch
- 13.15 – Keynote speaker
- Mat Barnsley – Director at Polaris Outdoor
- Our keynote speaker will be discussing how to understand your own ‘power’, your self belief and therefore your hopes and dreams. Without the skills to be able to plan, organise, and set goals, you can’t bring your dreams to reality; you need to know who, what, when and where to bring about your why.
- 14.15 – Break
- 14.25 – Whole Group Workshop Session
- Education 2040: Creating The Conditions for Student Success with Professor Ian Pickup, Pro Vice Chancellor at The Open University
- 15.25 – Break
- 15.45 – Panel session
- Our second panel session of the day will discuss how the results reflect in their different contexts, giving us pointers to consider, thinking about which of the solutions might be most beneficial for you.
- Hosted by: Andrew Lewer – UK Senior Advisor at Noble + Eaton
- 16.15 – Envoplan wrap up & thanks
Post Event Drinks & Dinner:
Date: 5th Feb 2026
Time: 18.00 for drinks | 19.00 for dinner
Venue: The Avenue | Conference Suite
Our Last conference:
“This is the best education event I have attended in 16 years!”
Jacquie Whittingham, Kensington Wade School
Speakers
Gain practical insights to implement immediately.
Networking
Connect with peers over lunch and at a pre-event drinks reception.
Workshops
Participate in interactive workshops and gain first-hand experiences.
Launching our Research on the State of Sixth Form Spaces
This conference is the cornerstone event in our ongoing research programme, gaining insights into the challenges and opportunities facing sixth form spaces in 2025.
Why take part in the research?
Our goal is to uncover the untapped potential of your sixth forms, transforming them into thriving environments that foster positive experiences for your students and drive your school’s success.
- Receive an appraisal full of quick wins and longer-term solutions for how to enhance your spaces
- Optimise your facilities, promote well-being, boost cognition, and support neurodiversity.
- Discover ROI & Retention Strategies through access to our global insights team
- FREE entry to The Future of Sixth Form Spaces conference (worth £275)
Previous Conferences
The Future of Sixth Form Spaces
How does the current state of the UK’s sixth form spaces affect the ones in our care? What challenges and
The Future of Learning Spaces
Join education experts and thought leaders to discuss the impact of the recent State of Learning Spaces research and explore
Ergonomics Conference with Orangebox
Creating Thriving Spaces
Images from Previous Conferences
Other Upcoming Events
Heads’ Annual Conference
he Society of Heads is a welcoming, collegiate and supportive community of independent schools who evolve their approach to learning
Irish boarding conference
This year’s Irish Boarding Conference, sponsored by Noble + Eaton, welcomes an opportunity to reflect, think creatively, and share experiences with
Annual Heads’ Conference 2025
Fearless Females | Leadership That Lifts Girls Up - The Conference for those who lead and those they empower
ISBA Annual Conference
The event offers school professionals the chance to hear from expert speakers on the key strategic operational issues affecting them
43rd COBIS Annual Conference
The COBIS Annual Conference is for Heads, Governors, Proprietors and Senior and Middle Leaders from schools around the world, including
BSA Annual Conference
The Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) represents member boarding schools, provides training for boarding staff and promotes boarding education.