Trust Talks: Rethinking School Estates for Inclusive Education
About this Event
Join a half-day inspiring event that brings together education leadership and estates professionals to explore how schools and colleges can build, adapt and prepare for both critical incidents and rise in SEND demand.
The morning features a key notes from Jo Marchant MBE on business continuity Lucy Bayliss on creating inclusive environments, followed by an interactive workshop featuring an open discussion on how increased pressure on provision, inclusion and resources is shaping decision- making.
Built around open, peer-led conversation, it’s an opportunity to step back, share insight, and rethink how education environments must be resilient.
Highlights:
- Keynotes from Jo Marchant MBE and Lucy Bayliss
- Workshop on building resilient school estates under increased SEND pressure
- Panel discussion and Q&A
- A tour of the Global Academy - a unique venue purpose‑designed for students specialising in media and broadcasting
- Networking lunch
Key takeaways:
- Clearer options for responding to SEND and space pressures
- Insights into how other trusts are planning for disruption and change
- A better understanding of how estates strategy supports resilience
What Trust Talks attendees had to say about past events:
“I found the event interesting and informative. It certainly changed my perception of what the opportunities are now compared to the historic image of a modular building.”
“My first time attending a Portakabin event, I found the networking very useful. The keynote speaker was insightful and it was good to have the team on hand for any questions I had relating to the products.”
“A genuinely inspiring and productive morning at Portakabin Visitor Centre. It was great to be amongst fantastic and inspiring like minded estates professionals.”
Agenda
🕑: 09:30 AM - 09:55 AM
Arrival, tea and coffee
Info: Arrive at the Global Academy – a unique building purpose designed for students specialising in media and broadcasting.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Keynote: Critical incident awareness planning and business continuity plans
Host: Jo Marchant MBE
Info: When a roof of a 2 storey 10 classroom school suddenly collapses, what is the estates team to do? This keynote will explore a real life situation where a school’s daily operation was completely upended due to an accident, it will explore the impact it had on students’ education and how a school can better prepare for various critical incidents. We will discuss planning and preparedness, walk through a tragic but also inspiring story of Kensington Aldridge Academy and find out how business continuity plans do work in practice, not just on paper.
🕑: 10:35 AM - 10:55 AM
Keynote: Designing for Difference
Host: Lucy Bayliss
Info: Designing for Difference presents pupil-led, evidence-based approaches to inclusion bases in mainstream schools, using pupil voice to shape flexible, zoned environments, integrating sensory-aware and biophilic design, and grounding practice in research to foster wellbeing, emotional safety, belonging and independence strongly.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:35 AM
Workshop – building resilient school estates under SEND pressure
Info: As schools accept increasing numbers of SEND pupils with high and complex needs, critical incidents are becoming more frequent and more disruptive. Explore how your buildings and estate decisions can reduce risk, support de escalation and improve safety, resilience and readiness across your setting.
🕑: 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
Panel discussion and Q&A
Host: Jo Marchant MBE
Info: A panel discussion exploring how modular construction is reshaping the education sector. In collaboration with representatives from education estates and industry specialists, we will share real world examples of transforming spaces to better support students and staff to ensure greater outcomes and inclusion at the heart of schools.
🕑: 12:40 PM - 01:00 PM
Global Academy tour
Info: Enjoy the tour of the building constructed in 2016 using a hybrid modular and traditional build system. It was designed by Surface to Air Architects and engineered by Portakabin, combining flexibility with durability and long‑term adaptability.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Networking lunch
Info: End the day with a delicious lunch alongside fellow professionals. Take this time to network, share ideas and chat to the Portakabin team about your current challenges and projects and see how they can support you.
🕑: 01:30 PM
End of session
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
