MyCollege Logo

The Future of Teaching: SEND review

Professor Dame Alison Peacock CEO, Chartered College of Teaching, will be joined by  Laura Simonson, Policy Lead,  Department for Education to discuss the key proposals in the SEND and Alternative Provision Green Paper, especially those relating to schools and teaching, and invite questions and insights from members as part of the consultation process.

Members will be able to find out more about the proposals and hear from colleagues working in SEND about the potential impact.

Panel of speakers will include Laura Simonson (Policy Lead, Department for Education), Margaret Mulholland FCCT, Coshia Belvet, John Keech and Nicola Brooks FCCT.

We would encourage members to take part in the consultation, which closes on 22 July: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/send-review-right-support-right-place-right-time

Resources

Our Presenters

Laura Simonson, Policy Lead, Department for Education – Laura has worked in mainstream schools as a teacher, Head of Inclusion and SENCO before moving to the Department for Education.  Her current role in the SEND Review policy team focuses on SEND policy for children and young people in specialist and mainstream schools and trusts.

Margaret Mulholland FCCT – Margaret is a leading advocate for the role schools play in improving understanding of inclusive leadership and teaching. She is the SEND and Inclusion Specialist at the Association of School & College Leaders and EEF Project Director for the Whole School SEND review trial.  

Margaret is an Honorary Norham Fellow at the Department of Education, University of Oxford, Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching and is a columnist for the Tes.

John Keech, Primary SEND Lead, United Learning – John joined United Learning’s Primary school improvement Team in 2017, originally seconded from a Vice Principal role, where he led on Inclusion and Safeguarding.  Prior to joining ULT in 2014, John spent 5 years deployed as an SLE to support fellow SENCOs in a number of different boroughs across the North West.  John has completed the National Award for SENCOs, the NPQSL, and has a Master’s degree in ‘Inclusive Education and Special Educational Needs’.  He is currently undertaking doctoral research on the inclusion of New Arrival pupils.

Coshia Belvet, Associate Senior Leader for English & Literacy, Orchardside SchoolAn initiative-taking and results oriented leader, Coshia is passionate about inclusive education delivered with compassion and an asset-based approach.  With extensive experience in mainstream as a pastoral leader combined with her current role in Literacy and Teaching and Learning at a Pupil Referral Unit, Coshia has a unique view of the challenges facing young people within education. This rich and authentic perspective has allowed Coshia to develop her expertise in how to best support SEND pupils and deliver a rich and robust, yet inclusive curriculum with learners at the forefront.

Nicola Brooks FCCT, Head of CPD for Reach South Academy Trust, Head of CPD and Partnerships for The Springfields Academy – Nicola is an experienced teacher and leader across mainstream and special educational settings. Nicola began her career in a high-performing secondary school in Wiltshire, becoming KS4 Co-ordinator for English and Second in Department. Although she never imagined herself teaching in a special school, she visited The Springfields Academy to find out more about their vacancy for a Head of English and Whole School Literacy. Her experience when she visited changed the trajectory of her career. After nearly a decade in specialist education, Nicola now specialises in staff development, teacher education and school to school support. She is passionate about the joys of working in a special school and works closely with HE establishments to provide special school experiences and inputs. Nicola believes in practitioner-led, grassroots CPD- she is founder of Reach South’s Learning Festival and co-founder of A-Fest, a Festival Celebrating Autism. To date, A-Fest has supported over 500 individuals, including teachers, therapists and parents.  Nicola also leads Springfields Autism Support, which encompasses the academy’s outreach work and Hubs.

Nicola is a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching and, pre-Covid led a successful SEND Network for the College across Wiltshire. Nicola has a MEd in Educational Leadership and Management. Nicola is Head of CPD for Reach South Academy Trust, spanning 14 schools across the South West.

The Springfields Academy, a specialist provision for young people between the ages of 4-19. Reach South Academy Trust, a MAT of 14 schools spanning three counties across the South West

Professor Dame Alison Peacock, Chief Executive of the Chartered College of Teaching, a Professional Body that seeks to raise teacher status through celebrating, supporting and connecting teachers to provide expert teaching and leadership.  Prior to joining the Chartered College, Dame Alison was Executive Headteacher of The Wroxham School in Hertfordshire.  Her career to date has spanned Primary, Secondary and advisory roles. She is an Honorary Fellow of Queens College Cambridge and UCL, a Visiting Professor of both the University of Hertfordshire and Glyndŵr University and a trustee for Big Change.  Her research is published in a series of books about Learning without Limits offering an alternative approach to inclusive school improvement.

Chartered Status is growing.  Due to its popularity, the Chartered College of Teaching is providing more opportunities to be recognised for your expertise by becoming Chartered.

Please note the live recording is not available, instead the DfE provided the link for recording below.