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 Friday morning event.)

Saturday 14th March, 09:30-12:30

For parent-educators who want practical and empowering strategies to make teaching, leading and supporting in schools a sustainable career choice, and who might even want to use their influence to bring about change in their settings.

09:30 - Keynotes

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

(Second keynote speaker tbc!)

We'll follow our two keynotes with a choice of six sessions across three carousels, and two brilliant panels.

Each session will provide practical guidance to find a sense of balance, understand and advocate for your rights, and gain insight into different experiences of parenting as educators.

10:00 - Carousel 1

• Workload solutions that really work, Frances Ashton - Assistant Headteacher, Didcot Girls' School
• A group coaching session with Alice Ballantine-Dykes - MTPT Coach and Founder of MAMA Coaching
• (Third session tbc)

10:45 - Panels

• A panel of father-educators, hosted by Paul Hunter - MTPT Trustee
• A panel of mother leaders, hosted by Nadine Bernard - CEO at Aspiring Heads

11:35 - Carousel 2

• A supportive return to work, Mary Hallett - Professional Development Tutor, Northgate High School
• Understanding and addressing common examples of discrimination, Rosie Kelly-Smith - Co-Founder of NEU Parents and MTPT Trustee
• (Third session 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.