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 on Wednesday 28 January 2026

* Please note that photographs may be taken for promotional purposes 

 

The conference content will be tailored specifically to meet the needs of senior leaders in managing exams and assessments within their centre and effectively supervising and supporting their exams officer ahead of the summer 2026 exam series.

The benefits of attendance include:

  • presentations from high quality, experienced speakers
  • informative and interactive workshops
  • practical advice, hints and tips
  • acquiring the latest awarding body/JCQ information and updates to prepare you for the summer exam series and beyond
  • networking opportunities

Delegates will have access to keynote speeches, presentations and workshops from experts in the field of exams administration and management, with a focus on guidance and good practice hints and tips. 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 £250+vat which includes refreshments, lunch, conference materials and priority access to the post-conference Virtual Conference which will include access to coverage of all workshops.

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 Bookings taken from November Available from mid-December

 

Booking window

The booking portal for this conference will be opened in November and closed once capacity is reached.

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 and Why it is beneficial for a senior leader to rename their Exams Officer as the Exams Manager
  • 9.45: Keynote speech (Ofqual)
  • 10.15: Workshop 1
  • 11.00: Break
  • 11.30: Workshop 2
  • 12.15: Workshop 3
  • 1.00: Lunch
  • 1.45: Workshop 4
  • 2.30: Break
  • 2.50: Panel discussion (delegates will be asked to provide their question via the booking form)
  • 3.20/3.30: 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 (Exams officer at Bede’s College, Sussex) – TO BE CONFIRMED

  • Managing the use of laptops during an examination

This session details how one centre – Bede’s College – has met the challenge of delivering all of their exams during a summer series via the use of laptops.

 

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?

You can book your place via the conference booking form (link to be added in November 2025)

 

How do I cancel my place or amend the delegate who will be attending?

Terms and conditions relating to cancelling or amending your place are as follows:

  • 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.