CISC Conference 2026: Rooted in Hope

CISC Annual Conference 2026: A Retrospective

 “Rooted in Hope” | 5–6 February 2026 | Eastwood Hall Hotel

The CISC 2026 Conference was more than a professional gathering; it was a communal experience in fraternity and encounter, “watching and waiting” for the grace of God to work within our schools. Guided by the scriptural anchor of Jeremiah 29:11, the event provided a sanctuary for Catholic independent school leaders to reconnect with the theological virtue of hope during a period of significant sectoral challenge.

I. The Call to Watchful Trust: General Secretary’s Welcome

In her opening address, General Secretary Sarah Barreto set a profound spiritual tone by reflecting on the Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29).

• The Wisdom of Restraint: Sarah reminded delegates that while we are called to “sow generously,” we must also have the humility to step back and trust that growth takes place beyond human management. Faith sometimes requires the humility to let go, to resist the urge to control outcomes, and to believe that grace is at work even when we cannot see it.
• Discernment over Control: The conference was framed as a time to pray for discernment—the wisdom to know when to labour and when to allow God’s hidden work to bear fruit.
• A New Chapter for CISC: This spirit of “hidden grace” was exemplified by the formal welcome of Fr. George Bowen as CISC Chaplain (who sadly was unable to attend this year due to illness) and Bishop Richard Walker as CISC Link Bishop, who provided spiritual accompaniment throughout the two days.

II. Drawing New Maps of Hope

The theme “Rooted in Hope” was explored not as mere optimism, but as a commitment to transforming our schools into spaces of justice and peace. Key themes included:

• The Dignity of the Person: Looking beyond metrics to honour the “face, story, and vocation” of every student.
• The Task of Love: Creating classrooms where questions and doubts are supported rather than silenced.
• The Common Good: Moving beyond “tradition for tradition’s sake” to build new habits of community and justice.

III. Leading with Courage: The Chair’s Opening Address

Matthew Burke, Chair of CISC, opened the conference with a “relief and joy” that set a tone of radical honesty. He addressed the “elephant in the room”—the reality that the sector is smaller than it was twelve months ago due to closures and financial pressures.

Pruning for Growth: Drawing on Pope Leo XIII, Matthew reminded delegates that “the greater the difficulty, the greater the honour in overcoming it.” He framed the current challenges not as a decline to be managed, but as a “pruning” that serves as a prelude to new growth.

Intertwined Roots: He issued a heartfelt call for solidarity, urging any leader feeling the weight of the “load” to reach out. “Our schools are not islands; they are branches of the same tree,” he noted, emphasizing that the CISC community draws strength from shared nourishment.

Global Renewal: While the UK landscape faces headwinds, Matthew highlighted the “new shoots” of international growth in Europe, Africa, and Asia, suggesting that CISC’s future may involve a broader, global mentorship role.

IV. Spiritual and Keynote Highlights

The two-day schedule at Eastwood Hall balanced soul-searching with high-level professional briefing:

• The David Wells Effect: Across two keynote sessions, David Wells moved many to tears and echoed the call to recognize the “ontological dignity” of our colleagues and students. His unique blend of humour and scripture left delegates feeling “refreshed and re-energized.”
• Liturgy & Prayer: From the Morning Prayer led by Ratcliffe College to the Celebration of Mass with Bishop Richard Walker as Principal Celebrant, the conference was anchored in the liturgical life of the Church.
• The Hosted Conversation: Thursday’s panel with Paul Barber, Philip Robinson, Sarah Barreto, Matthew Burke and David Wells offered a “disarming” and “unarmed” dialogue on the current state of play and the future  of Catholic education in a modern world.
• Interactive Plenary: Friday’s roundtable sessions allowed for direct engagement with experts on CSI (Philip Robinson), High-Performance Learning (Prof. Deborah Eyre), and Mergers & Acquisitions (Ed Hester).

 

V. Liturgical Heart: Commissioning and Blessing

One of the many highlights of the conference took place during the Celebration of Mass with Bishop Richard Walker.

The Homily: In a powerful reflection, Bishop Richard invited us to surrender our desire for management and control, asking us to let the Holy Spirit take the lead and to imagine the transformative impact our schools could have if we truly allowed the Spirit to guide our vision.

The Commissioning Service: In a moving ceremony, school leaders were formally commissioned, Recommitting themselves to the “unarmed and disarming” mission of Catholic education. School leaders stood to formally recommit themselves to the core values of fellowship, love, faith, excellence, courage, and joy, pledging to lead with integrity as witnesses to the Gospel in their communities.

Blessing of the Plaques: During the service, Bishop Richard performed a special blessing of the new CISC plaques presented to each school. These plaques serve as a tangible symbol of each school’s place within the CISC family—a reminder that they are “Rooted in Hope” as they return to their respective schools and dioceses.

VI. Collaboration and Stewardship

The conference also addressed the practical “pruning” and nourishment required to sustain our schools:

• Expert Briefings: Sessions led by Moore Kingston Smith, Stone King, and Gallaghers provided clarity on governance and financial mission, addressing the shifting landscape of regulation and political scrutiny.
• Strategic Partnerships: The Lounge Suite served as a vibrant “Exhibition Space” where our headline and supporting sponsors alongside partners like Churchmarketplace, Wodr, and E-Teach engaged in meaningful conversations about saving schools time and money.
• Networking & Fellowship: From the Furlong-sponsored drinks reception, the Churchmarketplace sponsored dinner drinks to the high-energy Stone King Karaoke, the “joyful and productive” atmosphere allowed leaders to build a “We” for the common good.

The 2026 conference proved that even when the “headlines are unkind,” Catholic independent schools remain a living, breathing force. As Matthew Burke concluded: “A tree does not resist the storm by standing rigid; it survives because its roots are deep.” Our grateful thanks to all who supported us in any way this year. We look forward to welcoming you all again in 2027!

VII. Looking to the Future

As delegates departed Eastwood Hall, the conversations turned toward 2027 and beyond—with proposals for Jersey, Torquay, Bristol, St Mary’s Twickenham and New Hall’s Boreham House already in the works. The shared mission remains clear: to return to our schools ready to offer an education for peace that is truly Rooted in Hope.

A Message for Our Members

In the spirit of the “procurement mission” highlighted by Colin and the Churchmarketplace team, we encourage all schools to continue the work of stewardship.

• Join the Mission: Register with Churchmarketplace here to explore how our suppliers can support your school’s future.

 

Rooted in Hope: Reflection Prompts

 

Drawing from the Apostolic Letter “Drawing New Maps of Hope,” here are three reflection prompts designed to deepen the dialogue after our conference sessions:

 

• On the Culture of Inquiry: “How can we ensure our classrooms remain spaces where ‘questions are not silenced and doubt is supported’ while still remaining anchored in our faith?”

 

• On Overcoming Stagnation: “In what ways can we move our school leadership beyond the ‘swamp of how it’s always been done’ to irrigate new growth in our communities?”

 

• On the Vision of the Person: “When we look at our students, do we see a ‘profile of skills’ to be optimized, or a ‘face, a story, and a vocation’ to be loved?”