The National Art & Design Education Conference 2026

Leading better practice for art, craft and design educators across the UK.

The National Art & Design Education Conference returns on Thursday 18 June 2026! Join us for a day of essential training, curriculum insight and creative inspiration.

We’re currently putting the finishing touches on an exciting theme and programme - stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

Double the celebration: this year, the conference leads directly into the NSEAD Awards on Saturday 20 June at The National Gallery’s new Roden Centre for Creative Learning, London. Whether you join us for one or both days, we can’t wait to celebrate our community with you.

Leading Secondary Art & Design (Session 2)

This session is the second of three twilight sessions in the Leading Secondary Art & Design course.

The course focuses on developing leadership and management skills to effectively lead a department; address Ofsted requirements; and build strong, successful teaching teams. Participants will explore how to develop teaching and learning, inspire and support colleagues and improve pupil outcomes.

Enrol here (please note that enrolment is for all three twilight sessions)

Session 1 details (now available as a recording for late registrations) | Session 3 details (to be announced)

Oak Breakfast Brush Up | Session 2

Session 2 | How to adapt the Oak Art and Design Curriculum for your setting

For this session Emily is joined by Aletia Aston-Swords. Aletia will share more about her role on the project and discuss the practical ways in which the lessons can be adapted across different primary and secondary settings.

Format:

Introduction to the breakfast brush up session and guests | Emily Gopaul (5 mins)

In conversation | Emily Gopaul & Aletia Aston-Swords (25 mins)

Q&A | Emily Gopaul & Aletia Aston-Swords (5mins)

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Register now

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About the Oak Breakfast Brush Up Sessions

Join Emily Gopaul and members of the NSEAD creator team for a series of focused conversations exploring key questions and themes within the art and design curriculum.

Each 30-minute session offers insights into the thinking behind the resources, along with practical guidance on how to use them effectively in your teaching.

Oak Breakfast Brush Up | Session 1

Session 1 | Setting the tone: how principles and partnerships shaped the curriculum

For this session Emily is joined by Michele Gregson, General Secretary and CEO of NSEAD. Michele and Emily will discuss our shared commitment to access, inclusion, and teacher support, the assembly of a diverse, expert team, and how frameworks like Big Landscape, Visualise and the National Curriculum shaped a rigorous and inclusive curriculum.

Discover the story behind the partnership and the practical insights it offers for teaching art and design today.

Format:

Introduction to the breakfast brush up sessions | Emily Gopaul (5 mins)

In conversation | Emily Gopaul & Michele Gregson (25 mins)

Q&A | Emily Gopaul & Michele Gregson (5 mins)

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Register now

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About the Oak Breakfast Brush Up Sessions

Join Emily Gopaul and members of the NSEAD creator team for a series of focused conversations exploring key questions and themes within the art and design curriculum.

Each 30-minute session offers insights into the thinking behind the resources, along with practical guidance on how to use them effectively in your teaching.

ECT Action Learning Community Drop-in Session (July 2026)

Part of the Mind the Art Gap ECT Ecosystem Programme.

Action Learning Community Drop-in Sessions are monthly collaborative problem-solving groups, led by Ollie Briggs, that members of the programme can join on a flexible basis.

The MTAG Ecosystem is a CPLD programme designed to support Early Career Teachers in Secondary & FE art and design by establishing a relational, self-organising learning ecosystem rooted in participatory action research and co-created knowledge.

Enrolment includes:

- Mind the Art Gap (Secondary) course

- ECT action learning community drop-in sessions

- Membership of the NSEAD online ECT network

- Full access to the Big Landscape art and design better practice hub

- Full access to the ECT resource library

- Free attendance at the NSEAD National Conference and cultural partner events

ECT Action Learning Community Drop-in Session (June 2026)

Part of the Mind the Art Gap ECT Ecosystem Programme.

Action Learning Community Drop-in Sessions are monthly collaborative problem-solving groups, led by Ollie Briggs, that members of the programme can join on a flexible basis.

Enrolment includes:

- Mind the Art Gap (Secondary) course

- ECT action learning community drop-in sessions

- Membership of the NSEAD online ECT network

- Full access to the Big Landscape art and design better practice hub

- Full access to the ECT resource library

- Free attendance at the NSEAD National Conference and cultural partner events

ECT Action Learning Community Drop-in Session (May 2026)

Part of the Mind the Art Gap ECT Ecosystem Programme.

Action Learning Community Drop-in Sessions are monthly collaborative problem-solving groups, led by Ollie Briggs, that members of the programme can join on a flexible basis.

Enrolment includes:

- Mind the Art Gap (Secondary) course

- ECT action learning community drop-in sessions

- Membership of the NSEAD online ECT network

- Full access to the Big Landscape art and design better practice hub

- Full access to the ECT resource library

- Free attendance at the NSEAD National Conference and cultural partner events

ECT Action Learning Community Drop-in Session (April 2026)

Part of the Mind the Art Gap ECT Ecosystem Programme.

Action Learning Community Drop-in Sessions are monthly collaborative problem-solving groups, led by Ollie Briggs, that members of the programme can join on a flexible basis.

Enrolment includes:

- Mind the Art Gap (Secondary) course

- ECT action learning community drop-in sessions

- Membership of the NSEAD online ECT network

- Full access to the Big Landscape art and design better practice hub

- Full access to the ECT resource library

- Free attendance at the NSEAD National Conference and cultural partner events

ECT Action Learning Community Drop-in Session (February 2026)

Part of the Mind the Art Gap ECT Ecosystem Programme.

Action Learning Community Drop-in Sessions are monthly collaborative problem-solving groups, led by Ollie Briggs, that members of the programme can join on a flexible basis.

Enrolment includes:

- Mind the Art Gap (Secondary) course

- ECT action learning community drop-in sessions

- Membership of the NSEAD online ECT network

- Full access to the Big Landscape art and design better practice hub

- Full access to the ECT resource library

- Free attendance at the NSEAD National Conference and cultural partner events

ECT Action Learning Community Drop-in Session (January 2026)

Part of the Mind the Art Gap ECT Ecosystem Programme.

Action Learning Community Drop-in Sessions are monthly collaborative problem-solving groups, led by Ollie Briggs, that members of the programme can join on a flexible basis.