Thanking Our Academic Conference Sponsors

In this blog post, Mr Matt Godfrey (Deputy Head) introduces our sponsors at this year’s Academic Conference at Downe House.

Downe House’s annual Academic Conference for Teachers and School Leaders is now a key and popular annual fixture in the UK’s educational calendar. As we prepare to welcome fellow educational professionals, teachers and partners to this year’s event on June 18, I am grateful for the organisations that are sponsoring and supporting our mission to bring together educators across the maintained and independent sectors so that we learn from each other.

We are proud to be partnering with a group of outstanding sponsors this year—each bringing expertise, innovation, and a commitment to helping schools thrive. Here’s a preview of our two principal organisations who are supporting us as Partner Level Sponsors:

Redwood Collections is an established and trusted name in debt recovery and credit management for independent schools. Authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, they represent more than 900 schools, providing a bespoke and highly valued financial service. They provide both effective recovery when debt collection is required – with unmatched service and communication. They provide a traditional service, in a modern manner, covering a range of services, including payment plans for parents and background checks when required.

Allmanhall – powered by Buyers Edge Platform – provides expert food procurement through an award-winning approach. By challenging and transforming food supply, working in collaboration with schools, suppliers and sector experts, allmanhall delivers sustainable and responsible food procurement. Since 2006, schools like Downe House have benefited from this value, insight, control and support through essential food cost savings, efficiencies in processes and reporting, support for improvements and exceptional nutrition and dietetics advice. Good food shouldn’t cost the Earth!

We are excited to welcome these exceptional organisations to our conference on the 18 June, along with our other Sponsors who are listed below:

Keystone Elective is a flexible, affordable online service helping schools address staffing shortages, fill curriculum gaps, and enrich learning. We support a wide range of subjects, including Oxbridge prep, EAL, SEN, and extracurriculars taught by UK-based tutors across global time zones. Part of Keystone Tutors, a trusted education provider since 2007, we tailor every programme to each school’s needs. Our experienced team has supported over 10,000 students worldwide through high-quality, personalised education.

MSP LAB is the IT Authority for Independent Schools. We exclusively deliver consistently outstanding IT services to prestigious UK Independent Schools through distinct and attentive counsel. With extensive, lived-experience, we understand the unique needs of Independent Schools—providing Digital Strategy, IT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Solutions, IT Governance, System Assessments, and Retained Counsel capability, including our Virtual IT Director Service. We ensure Independent Schools are fully equipped to succeed in a digital world.

At Hachette Learning (formerly Hodder Education), there’s one thing we’re certain about. No two students learn the same way. That’s why our approach to teaching begins by recognising individual needs. Our mission is to enable every learner to fulfil their unique potential by empowering those who teach them. Through our expert teaching and learning resources and digital tools, we provide educational solutions designed to maximise the impact of learning for every teacher, parent and student.

Rayburn Tours has over 60 years of experience and is one of the UK’s most established and trusted school travel organisers. As a family-run, independent company with 120+ staff, we support over 35,000 passengers annually across a wide range of international school tours – covering curriculum subjects, as well as ski, sports, and concert tours. Tailor-made and backed by our ABTOT bond, ATOL license, and ABTA membership, our tours maintain high safety standards and reflect both the needs and aspirations of each individual group.

BE Education established in 2003, is a leading international education consultancy with offices across Asia and a key base in London. Our London team supports students applying to top UK independent schools and universities, providing expert, personalised guidance. As an official UCAS centre and authorised invigilator for UKiset and ISEB, we deliver end-to-end admissions support. Our consultants have extensive experience and a strong track record of helping students gain offers from the UK’s most prestigious schools.

JCS: At JCS, our mission is clear: to help schools around the world access high quality academic content to support exceptional teaching, effective learning, and student achievement. JCS supports schools by negotiating with leading publishers to offer a wide range of trusted, high-impact online resources – and securing fair subscription rates for all schools. From academic journals and multimedia databases to international newspapers, magazines, and theatre productions, JCS provides access to trusted and carefully curated resources from the world’s top publishers – helping your students achieve academic success with confidence.

The Leap: Brave Journeys. Lasting Impact. In a fast-paced, screen-filled world, young people need more than just another trip. They need space to look up, step out of their comfort zone, and engage with the wider world. That’s where The Leap comes in. For over 20 years, we’ve delivered safe, purposeful overseas expeditions that combine adventure, cultural immersion, and community contribution. Our School Leaps and Under-18 programmes develop confidence, curiosity, and compassion, while offering real academic value through an International Volunteering Diploma (16 UCAS points). Whether you’re looking for a bespoke school trip or interested in linking your students with us, we’ll support you every step of the way.