As Headteacher, James Nichols led on a complete rewrite of his school’s curriculum. The pivot to a modern, dynamic, skills-based curriculum that put ‘real life’ at the heart of academic and pastoral provision alongside traditional rigour and content. From conception to execution, this process was one that shaped members of the school community.
In this session, he shares that journey and offers a roadmap for middle and senior leaders looking to design a new approach to learning, progress and development in their departments or schools.
Delegates will receive practical advice and reflections, the space to discuss ideas, principles and processes and the tools to think about design, implementation and evaluation.


James Nichols is a teacher, school leader and trained ISI inspector with over fifteen years of middle and senior leadership experience in both the maintained and independent sector. A former Head of Year, Head of Department, Head of House, Assistant Headteacher (Learning and Teaching and Head of Sixth Form), Deputy Headteacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead and Head, James has worked with both internal and external stakeholders to achieve educational, commercial and operational goals within school settings. James left Headship in April 2025 to set up two new educational organisations: JSN Education, which works with schools to enhance their curriculum provision, leadership and staff development; and Political Education For Students, which enthuses, engages and educates young people in the importance of political literacy through workshops, seminars and supra-curricular opportunities. James also has a passion for supporting Oxbridge students, something that continues through the work that Political Education For Students undertakes. In his spare time, James likes cooking, reading, politics, history, writing and travel.