Come and join us to explore the power of play and how to develop motor competency in your setting.

We are delighted to welcome Ben Kingston-Hughes as keynote to our 2025 practical conference. We will also have an address from Dr Vanessa King, make sure you don’t miss out.

Ben Kingston-Hughes is an international keynote speaker, author and multi award-winning trainer. He is also the Managing Director of Inspired Children and has worked with vulnerable children across the UK for over 30 years. He has appeared on television several times working on a variety of children’s projects and his distinctive blend of humour, neuroscience and real-life practical experiences have made his training invaluable for anyone working with children.

Dr Vanessa King is a Senior Consultant and EYFS lead. Vanessa was the Assistant Deputy Chief Executive Officer at afPE (The Association for Physical Education). Vanessa is also the lead representative for afPE at the World Health Organisations Health enhancing physical activity group. Vanessa writes national awards which are endorsed by the Leadership Skills Foundation UK. Vanessa has led projects creating of a number of resources and leading research to support teachers in their delivery of Primary PE in schools. Prior to this Vanessa worked as a teacher trainer, mentoring and advising primary school teachers across Hampshire with their delivery of PE and helping senior leadership teams to improve their PE provision.

Workshops
Essential Physical Development with Ben Kingston-Hughes
In smaller groups delegates will have chance to take part in a workshop with Ben on Physical movement exploring how play does not just develop the physical abilities of a child but creates neural networks underpinning every other aspect of development. This unique practical workshop highlights the profound importance of physical movement as a foundation for a broad spectrum of development from communication and language to emotional well-being, healthy brain growth and even life expectancy. The workshop looks at how joyful explorations of movement unlock physical development in our children with potentially life-long benefits. and looks at the catastrophic effect of sedentary childhood behaviours.

Early Years Screening Programme with Dr Vanessa King
AfPE's Early Years Screening Programme stems from the recognition that some children enter school facing motor competency challenges. Whether it's a lack of exposure to physical activity, excessive screen time, or posture issues from extended periods in prams or car seats, we've identified the key contributors. Physical development is a crucial aspect, and the programme bridges this gap. This programme qualifies you to accurately assess children’s motor competency using a baseline assessment tool. Furthermore, it enables you to run interventions for children to help them improve their motor competency and to help them suppress primitive reflexes which will improve coordination, balance, proprioception, agility. This will enable children to take part with greater confidence in physical education lessons and physical activity.

Active Playtimes with Jess Squires, LPDS Teaching and Learning Consultant
Jess will lead this interactive, practical workshop that gives schools and school staff the skills and confidence to create and lead fun, inclusive, varied physical activities in the playground. Jess will show you how to activate the playground during playtime and lunchtime, engaging every child in physical activity to help them achieve the recommended 60 active minutes a day.

Delegates will attend all workshops. You can use PE Sports Funding to pay for your place.
Bring a second colleague from your school for only £99. Book two places as normal, the second will be discounted.