The Priestley Lecture 2026 with Sir (Mufti) Hamid Patel CBE

Rediscovering Childhood

Throughout the world, children are navigating dangerous and anxious times. Images of grinding poverty, displacement and conflict dominate global headlines, imprinting themselves on young minds. Closer to home, in parts of the United Kingdom, happiness has become a fragile and unevenly distributed commodity for thousands of children.

The Good Childhood Report 2024 by the National Children’s Society revealed a stark reality: 11% of children reported low well‑being, and 15‑year‑olds in the UK recorded the lowest average life‑satisfaction levels in Europe. These findings point to a profound and urgent challenge.

In this lecture, Sir (Mufti) Hamid Patel CBE will explore the social, economic and cultural forces that have contributed to this troubling decline. He will examine the pressures shaping young people’s lives - from rising insecurity to weakening community bonds - and consider what it will take to build a society in which childhood is once again protected, joyful and enabling.

Sir Hamid will set out a series of practical and strategic actions for policymakers and educators. Central to his argument is the need to reimagine the social contract around children - one that binds thriving and achievement together, and affirms that every child deserves not only to succeed, but to flourish.

Sir Raymond Priestley was the Vice-Chancellor of The University of Birmingham from 1938 to 1952. He was a great supporter of the education of teachers and in 1959 it was decided to name this annual lecture after him.

Speaker biography

Sir (Mufti) Hamid Patel CBE is the Chief Executive of Star Academies, a trust he has led since its inception. He is driven by an unwavering commitment to transforming the life chances of children and young people - particularly those from the most disadvantaged communities.

A National Leader of Education, Sir Hamid plays an influential role in shaping educational policy nationally and internationally.

He serves as Chair of the Confederation of School Trusts and the Education Honours Committee, and he is Vice Chair of the National Institute of Teaching. He is also an Honorary Professor of Education at the University of Birmingham.

Sir Hamid additionally co‑chairs the national inquiry into white working‑class educational underperformance, a major commission examining systemic barriers and identifying policy solutions to improve outcomes for white working‑class pupils. He also co‑chairs the Commission for Countering Online Conspiracies in Schools, contributing to national efforts to protect young people from online harms.

Attendance details

This event is open to the public, all staff and students.

This is a free event, however registration is essential. A drinks reception will be held prior to the lecture from 16:30.

This event is not being recorded.