International delegates extended their stay in England and took part in a pre-conference programme from 15–18 June 2008, at NCSL's state-of-the-art Learning and Conference Centre in Nottingham. The three-night programme included visits to a number of leading practice schools and gave delegates an opportunity to consider how leadership development and education in England contrasts and compares to their own country.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8.00pm | Dinner in restaurant, NCSL Learning and Conference Centre |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9.00am | Introductions Paul Bennett, Operational Director; Strategic Initiatives, Primary and all delegates |
| 9.30am | NCSL introduction and tour of the building Joyce Hazard, Senior Facilities and Operations Manager |
| 10.00am | Primary leadership Paul Bennett, Operational Director; Strategic Initiatives, Primary |
| 10.45am | Coffee break |
| 11.00am | Research and Policy Overview Simon White, Policy Manager, Toby Greany, Operational Director; Research and Policy |
| 12.30pm | Lunch and opportunity for discussion with fellow delegates |
| 1.30pm | Coach collection for school visit |
2.00pm | School visit: Edwalton Primary School, Nottingham Recently awarded the status of Leading School for Sustainable Development by NCSL, Edwalton Primary School is the only primary school in England with its own working farm and 3 acre wood, which the children help to maintain. Many of the school's learning strategies are based on its eco-friendly policies and involvement of pupils, staff, parents and governors in the care of the school and its environment. |
| 4.00pm | Return to NCSL Learning and Conference Centre |
| 7.30pm | Pre-dinner drinks |
| 8.00pm | Dinner in restaurant |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9.00am | Online communities overview Aidan Melling, E-learning Manager |
| 10.00am | The Leadership Network Sian Carr, Operational Director; Stakeholders & Networks |
| 10.30am | Coffee break |
| 11.00am | Leadership programmes overview Alison Kelly, Senior Manager, Programmes management |
| 12.00pm | Lunch in the West Atrium and opportunity for discussion with fellow delegates |
| 1.00pm | School leadership in the UK Geoff Southworth, Deputy Chief Executive, Strategic Director; Research and Policy |
| 2.00pm | Break |
| 2.30pm | Coach collection from front of building for travel to Birmingham |
| 4.00pm | Check in to the Radisson Hotel |
| 7.30pm | Pre-dinner drinks Steve Munby, Chief Executive, NCSL to join the group |
| 8.00pm | Dinner in the restaurant |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9.00am | Coach collection from hotel |
| 9.30am | School visit: Bournville School and Sixth Form Centre, Birmingham An urban state comprehensive to the south of the city, this secondary school has been classed as a High Performing Specialist School, and was awarded Beacon Status by the DfEE in 2000. |
| 11.30am | Coach collection and onwards travel |