If you’re mapping enrichment and CPD for the year ahead, this guide to upcoming events for schools in Birmingham brings the best recurring options into one place. From arena-scale music experiences to leadership conferences, STEM days and library programmes, you’ll find ideas for primary and secondary settings—with quick booking notes and who each event suits best.
Leadership & CPD
Schools & Academies Show (NEC)
A flagship leadership event hosted at the NEC each autumn, offering policy updates, CPD theatres, supplier showcases and networking for heads, trust leaders, SBMs and governors. It’s a time-efficient way to gather insights for improvement plans, procurement and compliance.
Birmingham Education Partnership (BEP) conferences
Across the academic year, BEP typically programmes leadership, curriculum and inclusion conferences (e.g., English, EYFS, attendance, SEND). These are practical, Birmingham-focused and ideal for subject leaders and SLT building local networks.
TeachMeets and local networks
Look out for Birmingham TeachMeets and MAT network sessions. These short, after-school gatherings are perfect for fast, classroom-ready ideas without supply costs.
Music & Performing Arts
Young Voices (Resorts World Arena)
Every January, thousands of KS2 pupils perform together in the arena choir—an unforgettable confidence boost and a brilliant way to supercharge singing in school. Places are limited and coach logistics need early planning, so register interest as soon as the new cycle opens.
CBSO Schools’ Concerts (Symphony Hall)
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra runs curriculum-linked schools’ concerts for different key stages. Tie a visit to listening and composing units; many teachers pre-teach the repertoire and follow up with writing or art responses.
The REP – Creative Learning
The Birmingham Rep offers termly workshops, backstage tours and in-school residencies. Great for English/drama leads seeking performance skills, script work and oracy development with professional practitioners.
Birmingham Royal Ballet – outreach
BRB’s outreach (including Dance Track) introduces pupils to ballet through workshops and open classes. Use sessions to launch a dance unit, link to PE targets and finish the term with a sharing assembly.
STEM & Museums
Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum
Thinktank runs facilitated workshops and galleries spanning Space, Forces, Materials, Engineering and Medicine. Pair a visit with data handling back at school, or book a planetarium session to lift science vocabulary and curiosity.
British Science Week (March)
Plan assemblies, visiting speakers or STEM fairs during this national celebration. Birmingham universities, STEM Ambassadors and local industry often support schools with talks and challenges—get requests in early.
Competitions & challenges
Look out for regional FIRST® LEGO® League, IET Faraday Challenges, maths team competitions and coding days hosted by local colleges/universities. These are ideal for able, interested and disadvantaged pupils alike—great for enrichment and careers encounters.
Literacy & Libraries
World Book Day (March)
Birmingham primaries and secondaries celebrate with author visits, mystery reads, paired reading and library trips. Keep costs low with prop-only costumes, speed-dating with books and “Drop Everything and Read” stops throughout the day.
Library of Birmingham & local libraries
Author talks, creative writing workshops and poetry slams run through the year. Arrange class library cards in advance and send pupils home with a recommended reads list by year group.
Birmingham Literature Festival (autumn)
Usually featuring school-friendly events and author sessions. It’s a strong hook for reading for pleasure, vocabulary work and real-world writing outcomes.
Sport, Health & Wellbeing
School Games Birmingham
Termly inter-school competitions and festivals across a range of sports. Useful for participation targets, inclusion goals and developing leadership via young sports leaders.
Club foundations & coaching
Local foundations (e.g., football, cricket, athletics) offer coaching blocks, assemblies on healthy lifestyles and tournament days. Mix with a nutrition or mental-wellbeing workshop for a whole-child approach.
Outdoor learning days
Birmingham’s parks and canals make great venues for orienteering, habitat studies and fieldwork—cost-effective and easy to timetable in a crowded calendar.
How to pick (fast)
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For SLT/Trusts: combine a day at the NEC show with one BEP strand aligned to your priorities.
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For music leads: aim for Young Voices (KS2) or a CBSO schools’ concert, then follow up with a performance in school.
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For STEM leads: book Thinktank plus a challenge day (LEGO League / Faraday) to broaden participation.
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For English/drama: choose a REP workshop and a library author visit; finish with a sharing assembly.
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For PE/wellbeing: plan a School Games event and one club-foundation coaching block.
Term-by-term planner (copy & adapt)
Autumn 2
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Leadership CPD: NEC leadership show; one BEP conference.
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Arts: REP workshop block; BRB outreach session.
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Literacy: set up class library cards; launch reading challenges.
Spring 1
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Music: Young Voices (KS2) or book CBSO concert seats.
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STEM: British Science Week planning; confirm Thinktank visit dates.
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Sport: School Games event and coaching block.
Spring 2
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Literacy: World Book Day author event + whole-school reading day.
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STEM: run a challenge day (LEGO/Faraday) and showcase outcomes in assembly.
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Culture: add a theatre trip or backstage tour to support oracy and writing.
Booking & safeguarding tips
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Budget & access: request education rates, SEND adjustments and BSL provision where available.
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Ratios & risk: complete venue risk assessments, transport checks and first-aid cover; brief staff/volunteers.
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Consent & media: check photo permissions; share itinerary, costs and kit list early with families.
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Impact evidence: collect pupil voice, link outcomes to curriculum objectives and add a short note to your improvement plan.
Final thoughts
There’s no shortage of upcoming events for schools in Birmingham—the challenge is choosing the right mix without overloading staff or budgets. Aim for one anchor event per strand (leadership, music/arts, STEM, literacy, sport) and build simple classroom follow-ups. With early booking and clear curriculum links, you’ll deliver memorable experiences and strong evidence for enrichment, personal development and cultural capital all year round.