Archdiocese of Southwark Education Service: Headteachers Conference 2025

The annual Catholic Headteacher Conference for school leaders in the Archdiocese of Southwark was held last week in Ashford.

A total of 130 school leaders gathered to consider future developments in education, especially the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in education including supporting students learning, ethics, and leadership support. This was kindly supported by St Mary’s University, Happy2Host, Google, St Fidelis Catholic Primary School and Bonus Pastor High School.

School staff and clergy who joined the Education team are now much more confident about the best way to use the technology safely.

A lively dinner included an auction of gifts from conference sponsors who all work with our schools resulting in over £2,500 raised for national charities the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Catholic Children’s Society.

An inspiring second day provided time for a briefing and discussion with Ofsted, followed by a celebratory Mass with Archbishop John and Deans who joined the meeting.

The Archbishop thanked the headteachers for not only their leadership in Catholic education but the formation, care and nurture they provide to 70,000 pupils across the Archdiocese. The headteachers then enjoyed a deeply moving angelic reflection on the Annunciation given by the Archbishop in preparation for Advent.

Find out more about Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Southwark