Global lessons: UK independent education on the world stage

19 March 2007

"ISC's Annual Conference 2007 will showcase a range of contemporary issues of relevance to the independent education sector. Building on the success of the inaugural 2006 Annual Conference, this year ISC will present a mixture of plenary and breakout sessions, with first-class speakers and expert panels from around the globe, profiling worldwide innovation and best practice. "

Jonathan Shephard, General Secretary, Independent Schools Council, 20 March 2007.

Conference highlights include:

  • Boris Johnson, journalist, columnist and Member of Parliament for Henley-on-Thames giving the keynote address, examining threats to Britain as a world class educational power
  • Dame Suzi Leather, Chair of the Charity Commission, and Jonathan Shephard, General Secretary ISC discussing the principles of public benefit
  • Harry Anthony Patrinos, Lead Education Economist at the World Bank, Robert C Enlow, Milton and Rose D. Friedman Foundation, USA and Anders Hultin, Kunskapsskolan, Sweden, considering models of public funding around the world, in particular the use of vouchers
  • Dominic M.Cermele, President of Girard College, Philadelphia, USA, James B Stanfield, EG West Centre for Market Studies in Education, and Dr Laura Day Ashley, School of Education, University of Birmingham, University of Newcastle examining models of social inclusion
  • Graham Able, Dulwich College, Barnaby Lenon, Harrow School, Barbara Harrison, Girls' Day School Trust and Andrew Disbury, British Council China, focusing on the lure of the East
  • Sam Freedman, ISC's Head of Research, speaking on demographic projections for the next ten years
  • Other topics to be tackled will include: legal issues such as children's rights and age discrimination; media perceptions of the independent sector; university admissions and benchmarking; methods of fundraising for bursaries; countering the effects of today's so called ‘toxic society' on children; and distance learning.

ISC Annual Conference 2007: Sponsors and exhibitors
Barclays Business Banking - HSBC Insurance Brokers - University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) - Bank of Ireland - ICSA - The Royal Bank of Scotland - Scholastic Book of Clubs and Fairs - haysmacintyre - The Mercers' Company - Hebron UK - eZeSchools - CAFBank - QGP - The Priory Hospital North London - Gerald Eve - Allied Irish Bank - Centrecore - Fees Company - Just Giving - Keystone Domain - SONO UK - RSAcademics - Mathematics (3P Learning) - The Smallpiece Trust - Evolve North - SFS Group - Schoolblazer - ClickView - Self Awareness - Gillman & Soame - Discover The World - The Living Planet - MindLab Europe - Call Parents - The School Photography Company - Serco - Nathan Associates - Saffery Champness - AlphaSmart / Renaissance Learning - Dickinson Dees LLP - Travelex - ClarionCall - JANET - AQA - Yeomans Prospect - a²om - ISSA - Avenance - Atkey Solutions - NVB Architects

ISC Annual Conference 2007: Re-brand
ISC will be launching its new corporate image and website at the conference. The re-brand reflects the ever expanding needs of ISC's users, and the new website will now encompass an international zone and online parental advisory service. The new logo is a bright, polychrome image based on the letters ISC.

ISC Annual Conference 2007: Logistics

The conference will take place over two days, Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st March 2007, at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London. 

For the full programme for this exciting two-day conference click here:

www.isc.co.uk/conference2007

If you are a member of the press and would like to attend the event on either or both days, please contact Alex Caish 07885 620 713.

Ends