CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
2026

Nerys Phillips is Deputy Head of Ysgol Panteg. Following a successful career in the media where she worked as Second Assistant Director on S4C and the BBC's most popular programmes she decided to redirect to the world of education in 2012. Since then, she has been an enthusiastic and passionate teacher and Senior Leader specializing in developing literacy across the school. In her spare time, Nerys likes to socialise with friends and walk her dog Ted.

Anna Britten is the headteacher of Blaenavon Heritage VC School. She lives and works in the north of Torfaen and is passionate about seeing communities flourish. As the daughter of two teachers, she has long been interested in the wellbeing of school staff, completing her master’s dissertation on this theme. Anna has taught in a range of primary schools across Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent, including community, Catholic and Church in Wales settings. She has been married to her husband, David, for twenty‑two years, and they have two sons. Outside of school life, she enjoys music, reading and travel.

For over twenty‑six years, Catherine Evans has worked in education across England and Wales. She began her career as a geography teacher in the West Midlands before moving to teach in a Welsh‑medium school in south Wales. Joining the school in its second year after opening, she had the opportunity to lead a wide range of aspects of the school’s work. In 2009, Catherine joined Estyn as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors, and in 2012 she was appointed lead inspector for the secondary sector. In 2015, she became Assistant Director with responsibility for Estyn’s work in secondary schools, all‑age schools and initial teacher education. During this period, she jointly led Estyn’s work to support Curriculum for Wales, professional learning and leadership. In September 2025, Catherine joined Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw on a two‑year secondment as headteacher.

With 27 years experience in teaching, Andrew Phillips currently leads LLC and Humanities at Garnteg Primary School. A former deputy head, Andrew has had the opportunity to work with a number of different year groups and lead many different areas of the curriculum over the years. He enjoys leading whole school projects and initiatives and developing authentic learning experiences for the pupils he works with at school including projects such as F1 in Schools. A passionate teacher who loves the challenge of developing innovative ways to teach in the classroom, he also enjoys working  with staff on their own teaching journey and  professional development in school. Just as busy outside of the classroom, Andrew is currently the Team Manager of Ebbw Vale RFC in Super Rygbi Cymru.

Christine Jones is the Deputy Headteacher at Garnteg Primary and has been teaching for nearly 30 years across all primary phases. Christine was a member of the Maths & Numeracy AoLE, designing Curriculum For Wales. Christine is passionate about teaching and learning and providing all pupils with a range of stimulating learning opportunities which enables them to become creative problem-solvers, critical thinkers, confident innovators and learners for life.

With 13 years in the classroom, Samantha Parker-Evans leads curriculum at Garnteg Primary School. Having worked across a range of year groups Samantha is a passionate teacher who strives to help her students and community achieve and flourish. Following the completion of a Post Grad certificate in 'Successful futures' Samantha, alongside her team has supported the innovation of the 'Climb to Sparkle' Curriculum at Garnteg, which Estyn stated in 2025 'facilitates highly valuable opportunities for pupils to be creative and independent in authentic and purposeful situations'. Samantha strives to make learning accessible, purposeful and exciting for everyone.

Dr. Matthew Williamson-Dicken is the Headteacher of Ysgol Panteg and Carreg Lam. His PhD specialism lies within personality changes, continuous professional learning and the link between professional development and changes within educational organisations. He is the author of 11 books including: ‘Applied Personality Development Framework’, ‘Concise Illustrations of Personality Change’, and his most recent book ‘Philosophical Fragments: An Anthology of Ideas’. Matthew is a member of the Executive Board of the ‘Association for the Study of Primary Education’ (ASPE) who publish the world-renowned journal ‘Education 3-13’. In his spare time, Matthew loves Cordon Bleu cooking, playing the piano and travelling to new places.

With 15 years in the classroom, Kate Ngwenya leads Digital and Professional Learning at Garnteg Primary School. Kate has worked across a range of year groups and is an enthusiastic teacher who strives to help her students achieve and progress and develop high aspirations. Kate completed a Post Grad certificate in 'Successful futures' and has used her experience to support the development of the 'Climb to Sparkle' Curriculum at Garnteg, which Estyn stated in 2025 'facilitates highly valuable opportunities for pupils to be creative and independent in authentic and purposeful situations'.

Carys Soper is the leader of the Carreg Lam Immersion Unit in Torfaen. Carys has eight years' experience as a primary teacher, and ten years in the world of education. Carys has taught across all primary ages and is enthusiastic in supporting children to acquire the Welsh language. Carys left education to work in the world of careers for two years in order to support others to overcome challenges and take active steps forward so they can realise their potential. Carys returned to primary education because she has a passion for the Welsh language and a strong desire to provide rich and exciting opportunities for children who are about to start their journey into Welsh medium education. Carys is very fond of sport and enjoys planning exciting experiences for the future.

Dr. Tirion Havard is a Professor of Gender Abuse and Policy at London South Bank University. Her research focuses on Domestic Abuse (specifically coercive control), Technological Abuse, Child Criminal Exploitation and the intersections between these.  She draws on her practice experience as a probation officer supervising and risk managing violent offenders to inform her research which focusses on the experiences of female survivors of abuse. Tirion’s has advised several national and international organisations, including, but not limited to The United Nations, The World Health Organisation and the French Embassy. Tirion was also seconded to English Parliament and has served as a consultant and talking head to the BBC, including BBC Cymru/Wales.

Dr. Meinir Evans is an Educational Psychologist who has worked in Torfaen County Borough Council for over 20 years as well as a period in Caerphilly. Before qualifying as an Educational Psychologist, Meinir worked as an ALN teacher in a Secondary school in North Wales. She has also worked as peripatetic Dyslexia tutor and as a tutor in a children’s residential school.

Keri Smith is an experienced Headteacher, approaching a decade of leadership across three local authorities. She has led schools ranging from 150 to 450 pupils, all serving communities with significant social and economic disadvantage. Currently Headteacher of Nant Celyn Primary School, Keri proudly oversees two specialist Learning Resource Bases: one for Deaf learners and one for learners with ASD. With a proven track record for driving radical school improvement and managing change through innovative strategies, she combines her vision with practical, authentic leadership. As a neurodivergent woman, Keri is passionate about inclusion, equity, and access to opportunity. She champions representation of neurodivergence in leadership and actively mentors staff, parents, and children, encouraging leadership at every level. Her commitment ensures schools thrive as inclusive, ambitious communities.

Melanie Evans is the Headteacher of Willowtown Primary school Ebbw Vale. Willowtown is a large primary school in Blaenau Gwent with a FSM average of approx. 35%. Melanie along with her team have developed an innovative and creative curriculum which engages and inspires the pupils.Melanie is passionate about authentic and purposeful learning experiences which is why her school have engaged with detailed Professional learning around ‘Learning through Play.’ Particularly, the work of Froebel: Froebel play theory highlights that through structured play, children gain a deeper understanding of the world around them, fostering imagination, problem-solving, and independent thinking. These principles have underpinned the curriculum design at Willowtown and has been recognised as exemplary practice by Estyn.

Laura Jones is the Foundation Learning Lead at Willowtown Primary school Ebbw Vale. Laura has vast and extensive knowledge and experience of the Early Years and has previously been on full time secondment to the consortia with her role of supporting and advising non maintained settings. Laura has returned to school as a senior leader but continues to support NMS on a part time basis. Laura is passionate about Early years and has been fundamental in supporting both her own and others professional learning. Laura has visited multiple settings both nationally and internationally. Her school’s Early Years provision is especially praised for providing rich, play-based experiences that build foundational skills in communication, problem-solving, and social interaction, supporting children’s progression as they move through the primary phase. These playful, experiential approaches help pupils develop confidence, independence and a love of learning, aligned with the Curriculum for Wales ethos of learning through purposeful play and meaningful contexts.

Sally Amos is the Health Promoting Schools Lead for Torfaen. In this role, she works closely with wellbeing leads, school staff, partners, and the wider community to champion the health and wellbeing of learners and colleagues across the authority. She comes from a Primary Education background, having taught for fourteen years before joining the Monmouthshire Health Promoting Schools team in 2021. This experience has shaped her passion for creating supportive, inclusive environments where learners, staff and families can thrive. Sally is particularly looking forward to supporting schools with the launch of the National Standards for Health Promoting Schools in 2026. She will continue to help embed a whole-school approach to emotional and mental wellbeing, while also leading on areas such as Relationships and Sexuality Education, Anti-racism, and Anti-bullying.

Kirsty Davies is a Deputy Headteacher at Crownbridge School, where she is deeply committed to a person‑centred approach to the education and wellbeing of every pupil. Her work focuses on identifying future pathways for learners, supporting them and their families to overcome barriers, and ensuring that each step of progression contributes meaningfully to their long‑term success. Kirsty places pupils firmly at the heart of all that happens at Crownbridge. She considers it a privilege to witness the confidence, independence and inspiration that pupils demonstrate each day. She is equally passionate about the wellbeing, relationships and professional growth of staff, recognising these as essential foundations for pupil success. She feels humbled to work alongside such dedicated colleagues, whose commitment to learners is unwavering. Since qualifying in 2011, Kirsty has spent the majority of her career at Crownbridge, with the exception of a secondment in 2021 to a local special school where she also served as Deputy Headteacher. She has taught across all departments within Crownbridge, giving her a rich understanding of pupil progress over time. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys reading, walking and spending time with friends and family.

Andrew Osmond is the Deputy Headteacher of Crownbridge School, where he leads on curriculum and assessment across the organisation. His professional background spans thirteen years at Crownbridge, during which he has served as a class teacher, TLR holder and Assistant Headteacher. His work is grounded in a commitment to designing and delivering a curriculum that is genuinely centred on pupils, with learning shaped by purpose, relevance and meaningful experiences. Andrew has contributed extensively to research‑informed approaches to curriculum design. His involvement in national projects, including Camau i’r Dyfodol and Curriculum Design Partnerships, has enabled him to share the impact of the process approach on learner progress with schools across Wales. He has also represented Crownbridge internationally through a Taith education exchange, focusing on the global sharing of Curriculum for Wales principles.

Kaysha Wulder is an experienced teacher at Ysgol Panteg and has vast experience across different levels in the school. She started in Panteg in 2012 as a 1:1 assistant. She moved to be a classroom assistant the next year and qualified as a teacher in 2015, before joining the Senior Leadership Team as the school's ALNCo after a period of maternity with her son, Ernie. Mrs Wulder has taught across all Progress Stages in the school and has changed roles on the Senior Leadership Team as Progress Stage leader, after returning from maternity leave with her third son, Billy in September 2023. Kaysha is passionate and active and the changes in her career have enabled her to support others who have followed her professional path. Outside of school, Kaysha likes to spend time with her family in Llangrannog, reading and baking.

Sue Roche is currently the headteacher at Garnteg Primary School in Torfaen. Throughout her career, Sue has worked in  leadership  positions in several regions in South-East Wales. She is passionate about community aspects of leadership through holding aspirational goals and outcomes for learners. After graduating as a teacher in Cardiff, Sue has completed her Masters MA in Education and Arts and more recently trained in solution focused approaches to leadership psychology in schools. Sue spends her time walking, reading and has a passion for animals. She thoroughly enjoys completing charity events with her family and four legged friends.

Thea Simons is an experienced and dedicated educator whose teaching career began in 2005 as a Drama teacher in St Albans. Over 16 years at the school, she made a significant contribution to raising standards and developing high-quality provision, while also serving as Second in Department for the ALN department. Known for her authentic and holistic approach, she thrives on providing pupils with meaningful, real-life experiences that nurture confidence, creativity, and individuality. In 2019, she chose to broaden her professional journey by moving into primary education, joining Ysgol Bryn Onnen where she taught within Progression Step 2 for four years. During this time, she led outdoor learning initiatives and organised large-scale whole-school events, consistently championing children’s talents and strengths. She is currently in her second year at Ysgol Panteg, teaching Nursery. Deeply passionate about early years education, she is particularly driven by outdoor learning and the powerful impact it has on young children’s development. Her practice continues to be child-centred, experiential, and rooted in a strong belief in nurturing the whole child. Outside of the classroom, she is a busy mum to two teenagers and enjoys reading and watching musicals in her spare time.

Jonathan Rees has worked in the world of education for many years. He was a teacher on the classroom floor for over half of his career before moving on to the position of Welsh language in education coordinator on behalf of WJEC. He is now employed as a professional learning partner by the Local Authorities School Improvement and Professional Learning Service. His main brief in this position is to support Welsh and literacy across the Partnership's Welsh-medium primary and secondary schools. Having learned three languages, including Welsh, Jonathan is particularly interested in how children acquire language and promoting good practice between Welsh and English medium schools in order to nurture bilingual pupils. Jonathan's professional practice is guided by current research in the field of pedagogy and literacy and he notes that it is a privilege for him to collaborate with inspiring practitioners across the schools of the Partnership, putting research into action.

Caitlin O’Sullivan began her teaching journey at Ysgol Panteg and is now in her fifth year of teaching. She began her leadership career as the deputy Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo) and since has been promoted to the school's primary ALNCo. Caitlin holds a degree in psychology, which enhances her ability to support learners' diverse needs. Her background includes working as a one-on-one, running speech and language interventions, and creating an inclusive, engaging classroom environment. Outside of teaching, she loves to spend time with her family, cooking, and going out for coffees.