NAHE Leadership Conference: Strengthening Hospital Education and Medical Alternative Provision

NAHE Leadership Conference: Strengthening Hospital Education and Medical Alternative Provision

Senior leaders from across hospital education and medical alternative provision came together in Birmingham for the National Association for Hospital Education Leadership Conference, a one day event focused on strengthening practice, sharing learning and exploring the priorities shaping specialist education.

For The Goldfinch Trust, opportunities like this are important. Our schools support children and young people whose education has been disrupted by medical needs or mental health challenges. In these settings, education is not only about academic progress, but also about stability, belonging and re engagement at a time when pupils may be facing significant barriers.

A shared commitment to pupils with complex needs

Hospital schools and medical alternative provision occupy a unique space in the education landscape. They work alongside clinical teams, families and local authorities to ensure pupils can continue learning during treatment, recovery or periods of serious ill health.

This work requires specialist expertise, strong safeguarding practice and a deep understanding of how wellbeing and learning interact. It also depends on staff teams who can deliver high quality teaching in complex contexts, often at pace, and across a wide range of needs.

Bringing leaders together nationally creates space to share solutions, reflect on shared challenges and strengthen professional networks across specialist settings.

The Goldfinch Trust at the conference

Maarten Crommelin, Chief Executive Officer of The Goldfinch Trust, attended the conference on behalf of the Trust and its hospital education provision.

The day was hosted by the NAHE and provided an opportunity to connect with colleagues working in similar settings nationally, hear key sector updates and take forward learning that supports strong outcomes for pupils.

Key themes from the day

The conference programme offered a strong balance of national insight, leadership learning and practical reflection, with a clear focus on what it takes to lead and deliver high quality education in specialist environments.

Sessions explored national developments in SEND and alternative provision, along with the importance of effective team leadership in high intensity settings. There was also a strong focus on the relationship between wellbeing and learning, including how safety, regulation and strong relationships underpin pupils’ readiness to re engage with education.

Collaboration and shared learning

Alongside the programme, the conference created valuable time for networking and professional connection. Leaders were able to share experiences, reflect on approaches that are working in practice and strengthen the relationships that help specialist settings learn from each other and improve together.

About The Goldfinch Trust

The Goldfinch Trust is a multi academy trust committed to providing high quality, personalised education for children and young people with medical and mental health needs. Our schools work closely with families, clinical teams, local authorities and partners to help pupils stay connected to learning, rebuild confidence and progress with purpose.

We welcome schools, professionals and partners who share our vision to explore how we can work together to deliver ambitious outcomes for learners whose needs fall outside of the mainstream model.