LEAPS Teachers' Conference

Date: Thursday 14th May 2026

Time: 9:00 – 14:00

Location: Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, EH21 6UU 

This event is for LEAPS link teachers and school guidance colleagues, in particular those who support students with researching and applying to higher education.

We would ask for each school LEAPS works with to be represented at the conference, so if you can't make it, please share with a colleague who can. 

In the first instance, we will be offering one place per school, but would welcome schools to register interest in sending more than one teacher. This can be done via the booking form below.

The focus of the LEAPS Teachers' Conference will be on how we can support LEAPS-eligible students who are considering higher education as a post-school option, and how we can support those of you who are supporting them!

The provisional programme can be seen below. Sessions will include information on university admissions as well as updates on LEAPS activities.

There will be an opportunity to network via an optional workshop and also over coffee and lunch.  

Please find our provisional programme below. Please check back for updates.

9:00 – 9:25 | Registration 

9:30 – 9:40 | Conference welcome

9:40 – 10:25 | Keynote speaker - Ellie Rowley, Policy and Strategy Manager - Widening Access and Participation, UCAS

10:25 – 10:45 | Coffee break 

10:50 – 11:20 | LEAPS’ 30th Birthday 

11:25 – 12:10 | First workshop 

12:15 – 13:00 | Second workshop 

13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch & information stands 

Keynote

Ellie Rowley, Policy and Strategy Manager - Widening Access and Participation, UCAS

Back by popular demand, we are delighted to have UCAS joining us again for the 2026 LEAPS Teachers’ Conference. This keynote will cover insights and data from the last application cycle, as well as updates on how recent changes to personal statements and references have been received. The session will also go through upcoming changes to the application fee waiver eligibility and the range of support and resources available to you and your students.

Workshops 

We are offering a choice of workshops (details below). 

You can attend one workshop from 11:25 – 12:10 and another workshop from 12:15 – 13:00.

Please select from the workshops when completing the registration form at the bottom of this web page. 

We will make every effort to place you in your preferred workshops. 

1. Course Choice Clinic

   (Alison Train and Sarah Macpherson - LEAPS, Admissions Colleagues - LEAPS Partner Universities)

   With many qualifications offered in schools not being considered by universities for entry, we often meet young people whose senior phase course choices have limited their university options. In this discussion group session with university representatives, you will have the opportunity to hear directly from universities themselves about which qualifications will set your pupils up for admissions success, and also feed back about the course choicing pressures you are under. 

    

2. Graduate Apprenticeships

   (Lucy Hughes - Edinburgh Napier University, Matthew Morton - LEAPS)

   What is a Graduate Apprenticeship? How do your pupils apply? Why pick a Graduate Apprenticeship over the traditional university route? In this workshop, Lucy Hughes (Edinburgh Napier University) draws on her personal experience as a Graduate Apprentice and current role as a facilitator of Graduate Apprenticeships to equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to promote this pathway to your pupils and support them as they pursue it.

    

3. Supporting Student Transitions

   (Alice Smith, Juliet Conway, Hayley Jones - LEAPS Transitions Course Team)

   This session will focus on the academic, social and pastoral support available for students at university and key messages on how to prepare your students throughout their final year for a successful transition. There will also be the chance to hear more about the LEAPS Transitions Course, in this session and throughout the day.   

    

4. LEAPS Link Teacher Networking

   (Keith Barbour and Megan McCulloch - LEAPS)

   Join fellow LEAPS Link Teachers to share best practice, seek advice, and talk through emerging trends in your school. This networking session will have different tables that focus on core themes such as LEAPS logistics, UCAS administration, and college pathways. Leave with fresh ideas, practical tools, and new contacts; all of which can help you support your students.

Information stands 

Over lunch we will have information stands with representatives from a range of higher education institutions and organisations for you to speak with. LEAPS staff involved in different parts of our programme including the LEAPS Transitions Course and Workshop in a Box will also be on hand and happy to take queries or questions.

Please check back for a full list of exhibitors.

The LEAPS Teachers' Conference is taking place at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.  

You can find directions to the university, along with public transport option and advice, on the Queen Margaret University website.

Queen Margaret University - Location and Getting Here.

If you would like to drive to the event, parking will be freely available at the university. 

Please let us know your car registration via the form below so that we can arrange free university guest parking with Queen Margaret University.

Please complete our booking form via the link below to request a place at the Conference.

Please book your place by Friday 24th April 2026.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact us.