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Preparing senior leaders/line managers for managing/overseeing examinations within their centre during the summer 2026 exam series

 

The 2026 conference will be held at Wembley Stadium, London on Wednesday 28 January 2026

* Please note that photographs may be taken for promotional purposes 

 

The Exams Office is delivering this conference in partnership with The Learning & Skills Office. The conference content is tailored specifically to meet the needs of senior leaders/line managers in managing exams and assessments within their centre and effectively supervising and supporting their exams officer ahead of the summer 2026 exam series.

Click here to download the event leaflet

Reasons to attend include:

  • acquiring the latest awarding body/JCQ information and updates to prepare you for the summer exam series and beyond
  • opportunity to speak with examination management and administration experts
  • keynote speeches from sector leaders
  • informative and interactive workshops
  • information about resources and products from exams-related exhibitors
  • practical advice, hints and tips
  • networking opportunities

When booking their place, delegates will be able to select the workshops they would like to attend. Refreshments, along with a buffet lunch, are provided at each event. A range of exams-related exhibitors will also be in attendance.

The content of the conference addresses the responsibilities of a senior leader/manager during the summer exam series. Presentations will focus upon how senior leaders can provide effective support and supervision for their exams officer to ensure a successful – and JCQ/awarding body compliant – summer exam series within their centre, and to consider contingency measures in the event of the absence of their exams officer.

 

Cost

The delegate rate to attend is £295 + VAT which includes refreshments, lunch and conference materials – delegates from centres which have a current membership to The Exams Office at the time of the conference can acquire a £30 discount and attend for £265 + VAT. 

Please note: As set out at the time of booking, only places cancelled by Wednesday 14 January 2026 will be fully refunded.

National Senior Leader/Line Manager Exams Conference 2026

 

Date Location Venue Booking status Delegate letter
Wednesday 28 January 2026 London Wembley Stadium (Bobby Moore & Wembley Suites), Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 0WS BOOK NOW Available from mid-December

 

Booking window

The booking portal for this conference is open now, and will close once capacity is reached. Click here to book.

Any queries should be emailed to conference@sltsupport.org

 

Event format

Indicative timings for the conference are:

  • 8.00 onwards: Registration and refreshments
  • 9.00: Welcome & introductions
  • 9.15: NAEO update, including –
    • Exams Officer Survey outcomes
    • Why it is beneficial for a senior leader to rename their Exams Officer as the Exams Manager
  • 9.45: Workshop 1
  • 10.30: Break
  • 11.00: Workshop 2
  • 11.45: Workshop 3
  • 12.30: Lunch
  • 1.15: Workshop 4
  • 2.15: Break
  • 2.30: Keynote speech (Ofqual)
  • 3.00: Panel discussion (delegates will be asked to provide an optional question for the panel via the booking form when booking a conference place)
  • 3.30: Prize draw
  • 3.45: Close

 

Workshops

Delegates will have the opportunity to attend four presentations/workshops from the following:

 

JCQ (including the JCQ Centre Inspection Service)

  • JCQ from ICE and General Regulation changes to Inspection: Understanding JCQ Updates & Centre Compliance for 2025–2026

 

The Exams Office

  • The role and responsibilities of a senior leader in overseeing examinations and assessments within their centre

(Please note delegates will require access to a mobile phone to anonymously engage with live online polls, surveys, and questions and answers)

 

Cambridge OCR

  • Managing an exam day in the absence of your exams officer

This session is designed to support contingency planning and equip senior leaders with the confidence and knowledge to manage an exam day in the absence of the exams officer. It will provide a practical step-by-step guide of key exam day tasks and an overview of relevant JCQ regulations to ensure compliance and smooth delivery.

 

Cambridge International Examinations

  • Empowering Exams Officers: Senior leaders’ role in a successful Cambridge exams cycle

This interactive session offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen partnerships between exams officers and senior leaders, ensuring successful exam delivery across all stages of the Cambridge Exam Cycle. Participants will:

  • discuss practical ways senior leaders can support exams officers and reduce errors
  • share best practice and brainstorm ideas to take back to school
  • learn about free resources and support available for exams officers and leaders
  • have an opportunity to network and ask subject matter experts questions
  • understand the differences between Cambridge International Education and the JCQ and how this impacts exams officers.

 

AQA

  • Working together: Supporting exams officers to navigate exam day with confidence

Join the AQA Exams Integrity team for essential insights and practical guidance to help you confidently support your Exams Officer on exam day.

 

Pearson

  • A Day in the Life: Empowering Exams Officers Through Effective Leadership

Walk in the shoes of your exams officer to better understand the pressures, priorities, and pivotal moments they manage. Learn how senior leadership can build a culture of collaboration, ensure compliance, and enable excellence in exams delivery.

 

NCFE

  • Uploading Learner Evidence with Confidence

A practical session on getting evidence uploads right first time. We’ll explore common missteps, share simple tips to avoid missing evidence, and show how meeting NCFE’s upload requirements can save time and reduce delays – helping centres submit with confidence

 

Liz Devereux (Head of Exams at Bede’s Senior School, East Sussex)

  • Managing the use of laptops during an examination

This session details how one centre – Bede’s – has met the challenge of offering all pupils the opportunity to use laptops for all of their exams throughout the year.

 

Exhibitors

A range of organisations with exams-related products and the major awarding bodies will be invited to attend as exhibitors at the conference. Exhibitors who attended in 2025 include:

Awarding organisations

  • AQA
  • Cambridge OCR
  • Pearson
  • WJEC

Support resources/organisations

  • Arbor
  • ATP Cyber
  • Everway (formerly Texthelp)
  • Parcelforce (yellow label service)
  • Phoenix Safes
  • Scanning Pens
  • Spaceforme (educational furniture)
  • SIMS
  • Wharton (exam room clocks)

 

How do I book my place?

The booking portal for this conference is open now, and will close once capacity is reached. Click here to book, simply complete the booking form –

  • With your details
  • Select each of your four workshops
  • Add any dietary or additional support requirements you may have
  • Provide your payment details
  • Include your ‘Ask the panel’ question (optional)
  • Confirm you have read and understand the booking terms
  • On submission you will receive an e-mail to confirm your booking (subject to payment) and a summary of your booking details including workshop choices

 

What are the terms and conditions for bookings?

Please see the Booking Terms and Conditions. Bookings are subject to acceptance of our Booking Terms and Conditions when booking, and this includes the condition that places can be cancelled until Wednesday 14 January 2026 at no cost, any cancellations after this date will incur a £50 + VAT administration fee. Please email conference@sltsupport.org if you want to amend/cancel your booking.

 

How long have I got to book my place?

The booking window for this conference will remain open until capacity is reached at each venue.

 

Will you be sending a delegate letter ahead of my attendance at a conference?

The delegate letters for this conference will be added to this page in January 2026.

An email will be sent to all delegates in mid-December to signpost to the delegate letter, and to provide a final opportunity to cancel your place without incurring a cancellation fee.

 

Are lunch and refreshments included?

Yes. A two-course lunch has been arranged for all delegates. A light breakfast will also be available on arrival before the conference commences and tea/coffee at the morning and afternoon breaks.

 

Will there be parking at the venue?

Paid parking is available in one of several car parks around Wembley Stadium.

 

Will the conference be recorded?

Yes, the Virtual Conference 2026 will include all presentations from London Wembley on Wednesday 28 January and will be available to conference attendees by w/c 09 February.

 

Will there be an opportunity to network with colleagues?

Yes, and networking is encouraged. Time has been allocated prior to the conference start, during breaks and over lunch to allow you to network with other colleagues, presenters and exhibitors.

 

Will there be exhibitors at the event?

Yes. There will be a dedicated Exhibitor Zone so that members can meet and chat directly with representatives from the awarding bodies and with other exhibitors. Details of the exhibitors will be published ahead of the conference and added to the delegate letter.