GEC CircleTable: The Same Difference?

✨ About this event

Bullying, safeguarding, and behaviour are often treated separately — yet in schools, they are deeply interconnected. Join expert voices at this GEC Circle Table for honest, practical insights and solutions.

With the DfE’s bullying guidance untouched since 2017 — and new pressures from the Online Safety Bill, the rise of AI in safeguarding, the upcoming DfE White Paper, and Ofsted’s new criteria — this conversation is more urgent than ever.

Hosted by Dr Nicole Ponsford, Founder of the Global Equality Collective, this dynamic 60-minute session will spotlight:

• The overlaps between bullying, safeguarding, and behaviour
• Gaps in current policy and practice — and what schools really need
• Honest, practical insights from leaders and practitioners
• The role of tech and AI in reporting and safeguarding
• Building parental trust and engaging marginalised voices
• Lenses including SEND, pupil premium, and gender-based experiences

Each contributor will share their perspective in a 5–10 minute slot, keeping the session fast-paced but grounded in meaningful insight.

✨ The Format

This free event will last for 60 minutes and will be hosted online. A link for the session will be shared with all registered attendees in advance.

The session will open with short presentations from the speakers, followed by a focused debate between the panel and hosts. We’ll then move into a more fluid discussion, with participant questions driving specific, actionable measures we can collectively take to improve the current state of the education system in England.

✨ Speakers confirmed so far:

• Frances Akinde – Co-host, SEND and Inclusion leader
• Nicola Bailey – Safeguarding and Wellbeing Lead, with expertise in pastoral care and pupil voice

• Luke Ramsden – Senior Deputy Head & DSL, national voice on safeguarding, wellbeing and Catholic education
• Kurt Doyle – Secondary Headteacher, championing inclusive leadership and whole-school culture change
• Moderated by Dr Nicole Ponsford (Global Equality Collective)

✨ Who should attend?School and trust leaders, safeguarding leads, teachers, governors, and anyone passionate about creating safer, more inclusive schools.