We’ve all experienced that moment: another new initiative arrives in school, and suddenly we recognise it as something we tried years ago under a different name. In this session, Shane Leaning, co-author of ‘Change Starts Here’ and host of the chart-topping Education Leaders podcast, explores why educational change often feels like Groundhog Day.

Drawing from his work with schools around the world, Shane shares how to honour the wisdom of experienced staff while still moving forward. He’ll unpack why we’re so obsessed with change in education and what happens when leadership becomes synonymous with constant reinvention. You’ll hear real examples of schools that broke free from repetitive cycles to create meaningful change.

This session offers a fresh perspective on leading sustainable change. Shane will explore how to distinguish between superficial rebranding and genuine progress, showing how to work with your school’s institutional memory rather than against it. Perfect for leaders seeking to build on what already works while embracing real improvement.