Waltham Forest Head Teachers’ Conference & Exhibition 2023

1. Samantha Stimpson

Samantha (she/her) is an award-winning consultant and the founder and CEO of SLS 360, an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion consultancy firm who support, challenge and empower individuals and organisations, to be bold and brave in their work to eliminate injustice and discrimination and affect positive change. Sam and her team of world class associates, support all organisations especially arts and music organisations, cultural hubs and schools, to understand how they can develop strategies to attract and retain a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, embed diversity and inclusion in their work and foster an environment free from discrimination where all voices are heard, respected and celebrated. A trustee for Music for Youth, Samantha is also a Violin and Viola player with a mission to ensure greater representation of musicians across all genres but especially classical music, so children and young people of colour don’t experience being ‘othered’ as the only one or one of few. Samantha is a passionate advocate of the power of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, a powerful advocate for the disadvantaged, disempowered and underserved and a fierce activist for social justice.

2. Michael Rosen

Michael Rosen is one of Britain’s best loved writers and performance poets for children and adults.  His first degree was from Wadham College, Oxford and he went on to study for an MA and a PhD. He is currently Professor of Children’s Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London where he co-devised and teaches an MA in Children’s Literature.     Michael is also a popular broadcaster and has presented BBC Radio 4’s acclaimed programme about language, “Word of Mouth” since 1998, as well as regularly presenting documentary programmes for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 3, including the Sony Gold Award-winning “On Saying Goodbye”.     Michael has published in the region of 200 books for children and adults, including “The Sad Book” with Quentin Blake (Walker Books) - a meditation on bereavement written after the loss of his son, Eddie; “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” with Helen Oxenbury  (Walker Books) - made into an animated film for Channel 4 broadcast Christmas Day 2016 -  and “A Great Big Cuddle” with Chris Riddell (Walker Books) .  His poetry for adults includes “Don’t Mention the Children” (Smokestack) and “Selected Poems” (Penguin).  Non-fiction work for adults includes “Good Ideas: How to Be Your Child’s (and Your Own) Best Teacher” (John Murray),  “The Disappearance of Emile Zola, Love, Literature and the Dreyfus Case” (Faber), and his memoir “So They Call You Pisher!” (Verso).   He has written a book for children and teachers on writing poetry ‘What is Poetry?’ (Walker Books) and has done three booklets for teachers on writing and reading. These are available through his website www.michaelrosen.co.uk . He writes up a monthly news page on the website and a blog for teachers giving ideas for writing.   Michael writes a monthly open “letter” to the Secretary of State for Education in The Guardian where he critiques Government policy on schools from the standpoint of a parent.  He visits schools, teachers’ conferences and university teacher training departments where he is in demand to give performances, workshops and keynote addresses. He also appears regularly at literary festivals all over the UK and Ireland.    Michael has received several honorary awards, including degrees from the Open University, the University of Exeter, the University of London Institute of Education and the University of East London/Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust.  For outstanding contribution to children’s literature he received the Eleanor Farjeon Award and was Children’s Laureate 2007-2009.  In recognition of his contribution to the profile of French culture in the UK, he was made Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.      His YouTube Channel ‘Kids’ Poems and Stories with Michael Rosen’ has had over 55 million views.

3. Laura Henry-Allain MBE

Laura is an award-winning international writer, motivational and keynote speaker and consultant. She is the creator of the well-loved characters JoJo and Gran Gran, which is based on the relationship she had with her grandmother. The series was developed by CBeebies and she is the associate producer. She is also executive producer on a few shows that are currently in development. She is the vice-president of the British Association for Early Childhood Education and an educational consultant for several well-known brands as well as children's media, television and publishing. Her new bestselling children's book, My Skin, Your Skin, illustrated by Onyinye Iwu, explores race and racism, and empowers children to be the best versions of themselves. She started her career more than 30 years ago as an Early Years teacher and has worked in the education, care and health sectors, with children and their families, organisations and governments on a global level. She received an MBE in the New Year Honours list 2021, for services to education. Her why is to inspire families around the world so that they can develop loving, meaningful, and lasting relationships. Her skills and knowledge have been honed over the many years that she has worked within the education, health and social services sectors. She has performed a wide range of roles including managing nurseries, as an Ofsted inspector and teacher and curriculum manager within a large college, as well as serving on a number of national and international forums and working parties.

4. Emma Weaver

Emma is the Deputy CEO of the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity. With a specialism in developmental psychology, Emma has a real passion for early identification and intervention for Neurodevelopmental Conditions. Emma’s role leading the Neurodiversity Early Years and Key Stage 1 service has enabled her to develop support services for our youngest cohort of children. Alongside her role leading the Neurodiversity in Early Years and Key Stage 1 service, Emma works as part of the National Training team. Emma works collaboratively with professionals across all age groups and sectors, supporting them to develop their understanding of Neurodivergence and to develop neurodiverse friendly practices within their sector.

5. Darren Edwards

Darren Edwards is a former mountaineer and Army Reservist who sustained a life-changing injury in the summer of 2016. The near-fatal climbing accident would leave Darren permanently paralysed from the chest down. With determination, grit and positivity, Darren has overcome adversity to become a Disabled Adventurer, World First Expedition Leader and Motivational Speaker. Darren’s personal story of overcoming adversity and building a resilient mindset is guaranteed to motivate, encourage change and inspire. Instilled with humour, down-to-earth honesty and a genuine sense for adventure and pushing the limits of his disability, Darren cares deeply about connecting with his audience and getting them to think – and act – differently. Darren’s talks are an infectiously positive call to action that nothing is achieved without a resilient mindset.