Education Conference Keynote
Connect Before You Correct
See the child. Not the behaviour.
The keynote behind the book, and the PAUSE framework that puts it into practice in seconds.
- For
- Education conferences. MAT and trust leaders, headteachers, SLT, behaviour and inclusion leads.
- Length
- 45 to 60 minutes, plus Q&A
Most of the young people I meet don't have a Mr Kent.
Mr Kent was the teacher who caught Oly at school. And only just. There was always correction. It was never a free pass. But he always saw Oly first, and then they worked on the getting better. This keynote is about becoming that adult, at scale.
Inside the talk
- 1
The cow in Wolverhampton.
The lad nearly walked out of the one talk he most needed.
- 2
Before anyone had the words.
Oly was that lad. Labelled, managed, removed. And Mr Kent.
- 3
What we see and what we miss.
Behaviour is communication. Distress read as defiance.
- 4
The adult in the room.
Young people read tone before words. Co-regulation.
- 5
The system wasn't built for every child.
Neurodivergence, anxiety, trauma, masking.
- 6
What it costs.
Attendance, exclusions, burnout, and young people drifting out of education.
- 7
PAUSE, live.
The framework walked through with real classroom moments.
- 8
One pledge.
Pick one young person. Tomorrow morning, connect first.
The PAUSE framework
- P
Pause
A second between the behaviour and the response. Long enough to choose your tone.
- A
Acknowledge
See the kid, not just the behaviour. Walk over. Say their name. Ask the second question.
- U
Understand
What's going on underneath. Is this typical for this kid, or is something off?
- S
Steady
Hold the boundary. Calm voice. Clear ask. No audience.
- E
Engage
What happened, what was underneath, what could land better next time. Guidance, not judgement.
What your delegates walk away with
A framework they can use in the next lesson, corridor or meeting.
A clear way to read behaviour as communication, not defiance.
Language for staff, parents and young people that builds trust.
One pledge to act on the next morning.
Formats
- Conference keynote: 45 to 60 minutes
- Leadership session for SLT and trust leaders
- Fireside chat or panel host
Fees on enquiry. Every booking pays forward.
96,000+
young people
200+
educational settings
600+
talks in education
“One of the best days in school I've been involved in planning and organising.”
“So impactful and inspiring. The connection made with our students was incredible.”
“A truly transformational talk.”
Pay it forward
Your booking doesn't end when the applause does.
Every keynote booking funds three assembly talks in a school of your choice.
The book
Connect Before You Correct
17 chapters of real stories and the PAUSE framework. Built to be used as CPD reading, a leadership retreat anchor, an INSET theme, or with parents.
Give your delegates something they'll use on Monday.
Enquire nowFees on enquiry. Every booking pays forward.