CISC Annual Conference
5 and 6 February 2026
Eastwood Hall Hotel
Mansfield Road, Eastwood, Nottingham, NG16 3SS
We look forward to welcoming you to CISC Conference 2026, taking place Thursday 5 February – Friday 6 February, in the beautiful Nottinghamshire countryside at the Eastwood Hall Hotel – a wonderful venue to host our customary balance of challenge, discernment and friendship. Delegate and exhibitor bookings are now open.
We’re thrilled to announce that our programme will be led by internationally renowned author and speaker David Wells who, along with other guests, will accompany support, challenge and extend our thinking within the unique spirit of the CISC Conference experience.
So come and join us in Nottingham for our 2026 Conference: Rooted in Hope. There’s a CISC welcome awaiting each and every one of you!
The programme is firming up with the usual mix of keynote addresses, hosted conversations and workshops. Approximate timings and the programme schedule are outlined below.
Outline programme:
Thursday 5 February 2026
9.30am – 10.45am – Exhibition, refreshments and networking
10.45am – Sarah Barreto, General Secretary’s Welcome
10.50am – Morning Prayer, led by Ratcliffe College
11.00am – 11.15am – Matthew Burke, Chair’s Welcome
11.15am – 12.30pm – Keynote Address: David Wells
12.30pm – Lunch and exhibition
1.45pm – 2.45pm – Gallagher, Stone King and Moore Kingston Smith Briefing
2.45pm – 3.15pm – CISC AGM (members only)
3.15pm – 4.00pm – Exhibition and refreshments
4.00pm – 5.00pm – A Hosted Conversation with Fr George Bowen, Paul Barber, Philip Robinson and David Wells
5.00pm – 5.45pm – Celebration of Mass, Principal Celebrant Bishop Richard Walker
7.00pm – Pre-dinner drinks for new heads with committee only Sponsored by Furlong Solutions
7.15pm – Pre-dinner drinks reception with exhibitors Sponsored by Furlong Solutions
7.45pm – Conference Dinner Sponsored by Church Marketplace
Friday 6 February
9.00am – 9.15am – Morning Prayer, led by Ratcliffe College
9.15am – 10.15am – Keynote Address: David Wells
10.15am – 11.00am – Exhibition and refreshments
11.00am – 11.10am – Slinks Project with Dr John Patterson
11.10am – 12.10pm – Plenary session, conclusion, thanks and
12.15pm – 1.15pm – Lunch and depart
Bookings for delegates are now open and can be accessed via the link below.
CISC Event Cancellation Policy
2026 Headline and Supporting Sponsors
Stone King
Our legal expertise in the Education and Charity sectors means we are top-ranked by independent legal guides Chambers and Legal 500 and named a best law firm by The Times. Education, Charity and Faith is at the heart of our firm with over 70% of our work being related to these sectors.
Contact: Stephen Ravenscroft
E: stephenravenscroft@stoneking.co.uk
W: Stone King
Moore Kingston Smith
We are one of the leading firms auditing and advising the sector. We work with over 200 organisations including leading Catholic independent schools, academies, multi-academy trusts, performing arts schools and religious orders. We also look after a growing number of Oxford colleges, exam boards, professional training providers and large international commercial groups.
Contact: Anjali Kothari, Head of Education
E: akothari@mks.co.uk
W: Moore Kingston Smith
Gallagher
Gallagher is a leading insurance broker, with a dedicated education team, focusing on the unique insurance and risk management needs of Independent schools. We offer tailored insurance programmes that include essential covers such as Directors & Governors’ Liability, Business Interruption and Terrorism insurance.
Our approach involves visiting your school to understand your specific risks and aspirations, ensuring we provide solutions that not only protect, but also help manage budgets effectively. Our expertise lies in identifying any gaps in your current insurance arrangements, such as cyber liability, to ensure comprehensive protection.
As one of the largest brokers serving the education sector, we combine our extensive specialist knowledge with high professional standards, recognised by our Ethisphere award for ethical business practices. We also keep our clients informed through regular webinars and bulletins, ensuring you stay ahead in this dynamic sector. Gallagher is committed to supporting independent schools and we’re proud to be with the Headline sponsor at CISC 2025.
Contact: Mike Albinson, Client Director, Education Practice
E: mike_albinson@ajg.com
W: Gallagher Insurance
Supporting Sponsors
Furlong
For 20+ years, Furlong has supported independent schools with software that streamlines transforms tasks. The suite of software, consisting of SchoolBase (MIS), FeeMaster (invoicing), TASS Finance (double entry accounting), and Maestro (music management), puts SLTs in control. As the most customisable MIS, Furlong unlocks any Catholic independent school’s full potential.
Contact: Paul James
E: paul.james@furlongsolutions.com
W: Furlong Schoolbase
High Performance Learning
Contact: Cassey Benito, Head of Programmes and Partnerships
E: cassey.benito@highperformancelearning.co.uk
W: High Performance Learning
2026 Exhibiting Partners
Mark 10 Mission – Sponsored by New Hall School
The Mark 10 Mission helps adults guide children into a living relationship with Jesus. We create free, high-quality Catholic resources: celebration of the Word videos, worship songs and more. We make it easier for schools, parishes and families to share the Catholic faith in a way children can truly love and engage with.
E: Harriet@themark10mission.co.uk
W: Mark 10 Mission
Cress
Cress is a multi award winning platform for preloved uniforms. We offer schools and organisations across the country the technology and support to retail their preloved school uniforms. This saves parents money, adds funds back into the school, and reduces waste to our planet. We also become the schools Sustainability partner, providing live ESG impact dashboards, lesson plans and reporting.
Contact: Katherine Molyneux
T: 07817 983282
E: kat@wearecress.com
W: Cress
Eteach
The Eteach Group is an EdTech software and services company, dedicated to providing education recruitment solutions for teachers and support staff to connect directly with schools online. Eteach also aims to support Catholic schools to attract relevant candidates, track and report on every application and onboard new hires securely – all within a single platform.
Contact:
E: Guy Vizard
W: Eteach
S & C Slatter
S&C Slatter deliver an end-to-end service for Placemaking and Sports Construction projects.
Combining specialist design expertise with proven processes and diligent financial planning, Independent Schools from Eton to Scarborough trust us to deliver their estate transformation and sports facility projects on budget, on time, and on point.
Contact:
E: info@sandcslatter.com
W: www.sandcslatter.com/
Involve Education
Schools don’t need more systems – they need one that works. We’ve reimagined the school calendar as a real-time central hub, connecting key operations in one place. Staff spend less time firefighting and more time supporting pupils. Leaders get visibility without micromanagement, and your school runs with greater calm, clarity, and confidence.
Contact:
E: james@involveeducation.com
W: https://involveeducation.com/
Gillman & Soame
Gillman & Soame deliver specialist photography for schools and universities across the UK and internationally. We create tailored, professional imagery of people, places, and events, with premium finishes including our bespoke hand illumination, combining precision, creativity, and timeless quality.
Contact:
E: action@gillmanandsoame.co.uk
W: www.gillmanandsoame.co.uk
TryBooking
TryBooking is an online event ticketing and booking platform for schools and alumni events, proudly supporting independent schools since 2014. We help school teams run stress-free, successful events of any size, with flexible tools like VIP seat holds, on-the-day scanning apps, and easy CRM data export – saving time, reducing costs, and bringing communities together.
Contact:
E: hello@trybooking.co.uk
W: www.trybooking.com
Streetspace
Streetspace Structures create permanent, all-weather sport, learning and social environments. Zone Design Build is a unique design platform of high specification building extension projects for the education sector; class leading build times and unrivalled value per m2. Minimalist architecture, open plan interiors and designed from ground up for energy efficient operation.
Contact: Terry Bedford
E: t.bedford@streetspacegroup.co.uk
W: Zone Design Build
W: Streetspace Group
Innermedia
Innermedia is a digital agency with global experience in the independent school sector. We deliver tailored marketing strategies, creative websites, and innovative AI-driven tools to support parent questions, track enquiries and attribute leads to marketing budgets. Trusted by over 200 schools, we ensure long-term success through creative solutions and exceptional service.
Contact: Chris Knight and Ralph Lane
E: chris@innermedia.co.uk
E: ralph@innermedia.co.uk
W: www.innermedia.co.uk
CAFOD – Sponsored by St George’s College
CAFOD is the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, working across the world on long-term development as well as responding to emergencies.
CAFOD works with schools in England and Wales, inspiring children and young people to fundraise to support communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, as they strive to find practical, sustainable solutions to deep-rooted challenges.
Contact:
W: cafod.org.uk/schools
Schoolblazer
Schoolblazer is the UK’s leading uniform supplier to independent schools. We provide the highest quality uniform with expertise in design, fabric and tailoring, combined with the easiest shopping experience for parents that includes free name-taping, efficient logistics and guaranteed availability. Trusted by 250 top UK independent schools, our intelligent sizing takes the chore out of uniform shopping for parents. We offer convenient online shopping and solve supply issues for schools.
Contact: Charlotte Fry, Business Development Director
E: hello@trybooking.co.uk
W: Schoolblazer
Visions in Education
Visions in Education offer fully immersive, hands-on, educational trips of a lifetime complete with all the amenities.
Each of our tours offers compelling Master Classes and activities designed to help inspire and broaden your pupils’ interests in Sciences, Arts, Languages, Geography, History, Music, Sports and Ski and everything in between.
Contact: Kim Mitchell
E: KimMitchell@visionsineducation.co.uk
W: https://www.visionsineducation.co.uk/
St Mary’s Twickenham
Established in 1850 and with a distinctive Catholic identity, St Mary’s is a Catholic University seeking to develop the whole person and empower our community to have a positive impact on the world. St Mary’s University offers a wide range of undergraduate & postgraduate programmes with study abroad and placements.
Mary’s Meals
Mary’s Meals is a simple idea that works. By providing a daily meal in a place of education, Mary’s Meals encourages children experiencing poverty and hunger into the classroom where they gain a basic education that can provide an escape route from poverty. School + Food = Hope.
W: https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/
Wodr
Wodr helps Catholic Independent Schools simplify their water supply and reduce costs through Business Stream. Endorsed by Churchmarketplace, we provide clear, expert support to help schools save money, manage water responsibly, and make budgets go further for what matters most—pupils and education.
Contact: Rachael McDonnell and Caitlin Barker
E: cmp@makeitwodr.com
W: www.makeitwodr.com
Exhibiting Opportunities
The CISC Annual Conference generally attracts in the region of 80-100 delegates, with an exhibition for around 30 businesses. This is one of the most popular educational conferences in the calendar: big enough to be worthwhile in terms of business leads with time enough to allow for meaningful conversations and relationships to be initiated. In addition, CISC organises a programme of short conferences and webinars for key groups of staff in CISC schools, such as heads, governors, deputies, bursars and Heads of RS.
CISC is known for building meaningful and ongoing relationships with sponsors through reciprocally beneficial collaborations. As such, we have three sponsor relationships available across a broad range of cost options. There are also additional opportunities to sponsor key Conference events such as pre-dinner drinks or the Conference dinner, creating additional exposure for your organisation.
Download our Exhibition Brochure
For further information or to talk to us about a year-round sponsor arrangement, please email info@catholicindependentschools.com