Belonging, Mattering and the People Who Make It Happen: Reflections from My First NAPCE Annual Conference
Belonging, Mattering and the People Who Make It Happen: Reflections from My First NAPCE Annual Conference
By Helen Baker, Head of Transitions and LA Partnerships, Pupil Pathways
There are some days in your working life that stay with you, and the NAPCE Annual Conference 2026 was one of them. This was my first annual conference with the National Association for Pastoral Care in Education, and I left feeling genuinely moved, energised and proud to have been part of it.
The theme this year was Inclusion and Belonging in Education, and from the opening welcome by Phil Jones, NAPCE’s National Chair, through to the final panel discussion, that theme ran through every aspect of the day. It was a privilege for Pupil Pathways to be the headline conference sponsor, and an even greater privilege to spend the day among so many people who give so much of themselves to the children and young people in their care.
Throughout the conference, discussions repeatedly returned to a simple but powerful idea: children and young people thrive when they know they belong and when they know they matter. Academic success, attendance, wellbeing and engagement all grow from that foundation.
A Day of Powerful Messages
I had the honour of opening the speaker programme with our session on Effective Pastoral Care and Support for Transition, sharing why this work matters so much to me, both professionally and personally. What struck me throughout the day, however, was not simply the quality of the speakers, but the consistency of their message.
Whether the focus was learning, wellbeing, behaviour, attendance or personal development, the message was clear. The most positive outcomes are built upon relationships, understanding and connection.
Andrew Wright OBE opened the day with a thought-provoking reflection on the experiences that shape children’s learning and development, reminding us why understanding the individual child remains so important.
Zoe Ali brought the conference theme to life through her exploration of belonging in schools, reinforcing that belonging is not an initiative or an add-on, but the foundation upon which successful learning communities are built.
Dr Anne Emerson then explored how schools can develop truly compassionate cultures, creating environments where children, families and staff feel valued, supported and understood. Her message served as a powerful reminder that compassion is not a weakness in education; it is one of its greatest strengths.
The good practice presentations complemented these themes perfectly. Vicki Blackburn highlighted the importance of supporting learners, staff and families together, demonstrating how effective pastoral care extends beyond the classroom and across the wider school community. Chris Tooley concluded the session with an inspiring vision for what schools can achieve when pastoral care is placed at the heart of school life.
While each speaker brought a unique perspective, a common thread connected every presentation. Children achieve more when they feel valued. They engage more when they feel understood. And they flourish when they know they belong and that they matter.
A Special Shout Out to Sam Coton
If there was one presentation that captured the emotional heart of the day, it was Sam Coton’s. Sam, Founder and CEO of Better Me Better You, delivered a powerful session on empowering change and personal growth that was quite simply unforgettable.
Sam speaks with a rare honesty. He talks openly about the adversities he has experienced in his own life and how developing a positive mindset enabled him not only to overcome challenges, but to thrive. In doing so, he gives others permission to be open too.
His work through Better Me Better You helps children and young adults build confidence, develop resilience and recognise their own potential. It is easy to see why his work continues to resonate with schools across the country. His ability to connect with young people, challenge self-limiting beliefs and inspire confidence left a lasting impression on many of us in the room.
It was a joy, then, to see Sam recognised later that evening with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Pastoral Care. A richly deserved honour for someone who is making such a positive difference to the lives of young people.
Celebrating Excellence in the Evening
The day flowed into The Grand Presentation Event for the 2026 National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education, a wonderful evening hosted by Phil Jones and filled with warmth, music and genuine celebration.
Pupil Pathways was proud to sponsor the Effective Pastoral Care to Support Transition award, which sits closely at the heart of what we do, and it was a real privilege to present it to the winner Lagan College.
Seeing so many educators, teams and schools recognised for their dedication was a powerful reminder of just how much quiet, consistent and life-changing work takes place in schools every single day. Sam’s award for Outstanding Contribution to Pastoral Care was a particular highlight and a fitting end to a day centred on belonging, compassion and inclusion.
A Shared Ethos Among Exhibitors
I also want to recognise our fellow exhibitors. There was a real sense of shared purpose throughout the exhibition space. Every organisation there, from Pupil Pathways to the many partners alongside us, brought the same underlying ethos: a genuine commitment to inclusion, belonging and better outcomes for children and young people.
Those conversations between sessions, the sharing of ideas and the collective willingness to learn from one another are, for me, one of the quiet strengths of a conference like this. We are all working towards the same goal: ensuring children and young people feel included, supported and able to thrive.
My Recommendation to Schools and LA’s
If I could leave colleagues with three practical takeaways from the day, they would be these.
First, become a member of NAPCE. The association brings together an extraordinary community of pastoral professionals, and the knowledge, support and sense of belonging it offers to those doing this important work is exactly what our schools need. Membership connects you to good practice, research and a network of people who truly understand the challenges and opportunities facing education today.
Second, take the time to explore the inspiring work being delivered by Sam Coton and Better Me Better You. His ability to connect with young people, challenge self-limiting beliefs and inspire confidence left a lasting impression on many of us throughout the day. His message was honest, uplifting and a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make when they help others see their own potential.
Thirdly, the themes discussed throughout the day also reflected the work we are committed to at Pupil Pathways. Our solutions are designed to help schools and local authorities move from reacting to challenges towards earlier identification, stronger relationships and more effective support. By strengthening transitions and creating a richer understanding of every learner, we help services build belonging, promote inclusion and ensure children and young people feel that they matter from the outset.
Thank You
My thanks go to NAPCE for organising such a meaningful day, to every speaker who shared their expertise and their heart, to our fellow exhibitors and sponsors, and to the finalists and winners who remind us all why this work matters.
As someone who spends every day working to improve transitions for children and young people, the conference reinforced something I have long believed. Successful transitions are not built on systems alone. They are built on relationships, understanding and a shared commitment to ensuring every child feels they belong and that they matter.
Pastoral care changes lives. I have seen it in my own family, and I saw it again in abundance at this year’s conference. Children may not always remember the processes or the paperwork, but they will always remember how they were made to feel.
Thank you to everyone working every day to ensure children and young people know they belong, know they matter and are never left behind.
No Learner Left Behind.
