CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
2025

Professor Gary Beauchamp

Professor Gary Beauchamp is Professor of Education in the Cardiff School of Education and Social Policy (CSESP) at Cardiff Metropolitan University, where he was Associate Dean (Research) from 2009 to 2020.  He is also an Honorary Professor at the School of Education in Durham University. He was Chair of British Educational Studies Association (BESA) from 2014-2016 and is currently Chair of the Association for the Study of Primary Education (ASPE). He has published extensively in books and academic journals and has led major funded research projects in the use of technologies in teaching and learning. These include three Erasmus+ European projects and currently the Welsh Collaborative for Learning Design (WCLD), funded by the Welsh Government to explore the use of synchronous and asynchronous digital technologies in learning design.

Paul Keane

Paul Keane is the Executive Headteacher of the Federation of Blenheim Road Community & Coed Eva Primary Schools in Cwmbran. From an Irish background, Paul grew up in London and worked as a lawyer in the City and in Paris after completing his degrees. He began his career in education in a thriving inner-London community primary school, where he worked his way up from the role of teaching assistant to senior leadership through the Graduate Teacher Programme. Before becoming the headteacher at his current schools, Paul was the headteacher of Willowtown Community Primary School in Ebbw Vale. Paul greatly enjoys the privilege of leading his team of highly dedicated staff on their school improvement journey, placing the schools right at the heart of the local community and putting pupils and families first.

Matt Matheson

Matt Matheson is a public speaking and communications coach, hailing from Brighton, UK. Working with clients ranging from The World Health Organisation and the EBRD through to O2 and Virgin, he specialises in helping people say what they need to say when it matters most. He runs workshops, coaching cohorts and speaks at conferences globally, speaking and training on topics including public speaking, inter-personal communication skills, navigating 'failure' and change, meeting etiquette, handling ‘challenging conversations’ and leadership development. You can find out more about Matt's work, including audio, video and writing, over on his website at www.thespeakingcoach.co.uk.

Bethan Moore

Bethan Moore has had the privilege of being Headteacher at Crownbridge School since January 2021. It gives her great pleasure to work at the school that she started over 20 years ago embarking on her special education career after working for 2 years in a local primary school in Newport. Crownbridge has always been at the heart of special education in Torfaen and it has a long-standing reputation as a school, which opens its doors to share ideas and learn from others. Crownbridge has a large team of dedicated professionals, who never cease to amaze with their commitment and passion in ‘going the extra mile’ for their pupils, enabling them to reach their potential and beyond. As the Headteacher, it is Bethan's aim to nurture and sustain this so that they continue to support and inspire our young learners well into the future.

Lynn Griffiths

Lynn Griffiths has been a headteacher at Ysgol Gymraeg Caerffili since March 2002 and have seen many changes in education in Wales over the last 22 years. He has led the school through three very successful Estyn inspections and supported a number of schools in the South East of Wales as a Challenge Advisor and then a School Improvement Partner. As a school leader, he looks to develop leadership capacity at all levels through inspirational mentoring and highly effective professional learning opportunities since he strongly believes that all good schools need to have a clear vision based on high expectations, strong partnerships with all stakeholders and a culture that places pupils at the forefront of everything that they do.

Claire Williams

Claire Williams was headteacher at Glan Usk Primary School, Newport and took up the role of Head of ALN, Inclusion and Wellbeing in Torfaen in September 2024. She is passionate about inclusive education. After graduating with a Law degree from Oxford University in 1999, Claire completed a PGCE at the University of Wales, Swansea and began her teaching career in 2000. Previous leadership roles include headteacher at St Illtyd’s Primary School in Blaenau Gwent, Deputy headteacher at Glan Usk Primary School and Board Member of the National Academy for Educational Leadership. Claire is a mother of two boys and likes to relax by walking, reading and spending time with the people she loves.

Jane Yates

Jane Yates has 30 years of practicing Philosophy for Children (P4C) with children and students aged 2-19 years. In 2017, she led her primary school to become a SAPERE Gold P4C school and is delighted to hear that P4C is still going strong and have recently been re-accredited. Jane is now a senior trainer for SAPERE, the national charity for P4C. She provides all levels of P4C training both in the UK and internationally including Mexico, India, Nepal, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Spain. She also supports schools on the flagship SAPERE Going for Gold P4C programme, and is privileged to have supported Ysgol Panteg on their P4C journey over the last three years.  Jane is the Project Manager for the SAPERE Thinking Together in Science and Religious Education Project.

Andy Rothwell

Having studied and taught in Liverpool, Andy moved back to Wales in 2003 working in a primary school until 2014, during which time he completed 3 years of acting headship, was seconded to the LA to lead digital learning and curriculum development. In 2015 he led 21st Century Learning for EAS (working alongside Welsh Government). In 2017 he became the Principal Improvement Partner in Bridgend LA with responsibility for school improvement and standards and held a strategic role with CSC for evaluation and improvement planning. Since October 2022 Andy has worked as the Head of Learning and Achievement for Torfaen LA. As part of Andy’s current role he has responsibility for Torfaen’s Digital Education Strategy.

Sue Roche

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.

Elin Johnson

Elin Johnson has been a teacher at Ysgol Panteg since qualifying in 2016, after five years teaching she accepted a role as leader of the New Curriculum and Critical Thinking. This was the beginning of Elin's interest as a leader. Following a period of maternity, she returned to the job in April 2023 with a new passion and promotion to Leader Progress Step 1. Although this was a challenge and a half, this is where Elin's interest in mentoring and how relationships can promote professional development began. She is proud of the strong relationships she has promoted within the school and how this helps to develop others around her. Outside of work, Elin has a little daughter called Cadi and she enjoys spending time in the quiet countryside of Carmarthenshire with the family as well as singing in a local women's choir.

Bethany Llewellyn

Bethany Llewellyn is a dedicated teacher at Ysgol Panteg, started as a teaching assistant in 2013 and became a qualified teacher in 2017 through the graduate training programme. With a history degree, she leads the humanities team and Philosophy for Children (P4C) initiatives. Bethany, a mother of twin 3-year-olds, has experience teaching from reception to year 6. She has spoken at the SAPERE conference and is currently working towards the Gold Award for her school. Additionally, Bethany has completed a middle leaders programme, demonstrating her commitment to professional growth and excellence in education.

Caitlin O'Sullivan

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.

Nerys Phillips

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.

Dr. Matthew Williamson-Dicken

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.

Carys Soper

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.

Kaysha Wulder

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.

Helen Rogers

Helen Rogers is Acting Head at Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw a Welsh medium 3-19 school in Torfaen. Originally from a non-Welsh speaking home in the Rhymney Valley, Helen is proud to have been educated through the medium Welsh and to have studied at Aberystwyth University. Her career spans almost three decades teaching in the Welsh medium sector. Helen's main passion is teaching and learning, driving and sharing good practice through research-based study to ensure that all pupils are given equal opportunity to achieve and succeed academically.