Missing Mothers: retaining & Supporting valued colleagues in the workforce

The MTPT Project is back with their annual Missing Mothers conference: for parent-educators, school and organisational leaders.

Over our two morning events, we'll empower you to make practical changes to build more family-friendly working environments in your settings, and transform teaching into a sustainable career choice.

(Click here for our Saturday morning event.)

Friday 13th March, 09:30-12:30

For school, MAT and system leaders who want to create supportive organisational cultures that retain experienced colleagues.

09:30 - Keynotes

Join Emma Sheppard, Founder of The MTPT Project, and Angie Browne, Director of Being Luminary to understand more about the motherhood penalty, and its damaging impact on the health and diversity of our workforce.

We'll follow our two keynotes with a choice of six sessions across three carousels, and a powerful panel event hearing from MAT leaders implementing changes to policy and practice to create family-friendly school cultures.

Each session will provide practical guidance to boost retention, gender equality and wellbeing in your setting.

10:00 - Carousel 1

• A supportive return to work, Mary Hallett - Professional Development Tutor, Northgate High School
• But flex is so expensive! Lindsay Patience - Co-Founder, Flexible Teacher Talent
• (Third session speaker tbc)

10:45 - Family-Friendly Schools Panel

• Sam Gibbs - Director of Education, GMET
• Vicky Washington - HR Business Partner, Ted Wragg Trust
• (Third panellist tbc)
• Hosted by Harroop Sandhu - Vice President of the Chartered College of Teaching

11:35 - Carousel 2

• What impact does parental transition coaching have on our workforce? Adanna Onuekwusi - ICF Accredited MTPT and Leadership Coach
• (Second and third speakers tbc)

12:20 - Closing

Our Headline Sponsors

The Key Group have worked closely with The MTPT Project since 2024, producing their 2025 report, What happens to teachers after maternity leave? and acting as expert witnesses for the Teaching Commission Report.

Ambition Institue are committed to supporting the recruitment and development of a diverse teacher workforce, providing part-time routes into teaching and ensuring that participants are supported to complete their NPQs over periods of parental leave and whilst balancing parenting and professional development.

The National Institute of Teaching provide support to The MTPT Project through informal strategic mentoring, and championing our community and work at government and policy level.

Our Promotional Partners

Nugget Savings help parents create financial freedom during the first years of parenthood.

Bairns Play Cafe in Sleaford, Lincolnshire is run by MrsREandPSHEteacher - a popular edu-instagrammer!

Teachers SPL help educators to make the most out of their entitlement to shared parental leave and pay, by getting paid in full over periods of school closure.

The Belonging Effect provide training, resources and consultation around a full range of DEIB topics to schools in the UK and internationally.