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Dr Penny Barratt, The Bridge School and The Bridge Intergrated Learning Space
Penny has worked in the field of SEN for over 30 years in both mainstream and specialist settings, with students of all ages. Penny is also involved with the DfE’s Bureaucracy Reference Group and sat on an advisory panel discussing the new assessment procedures.
Lesley Cox HMI, National Lead for Special Educational Needs and Disability, Ofsted
Lesley Cox has been one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools (HMI) since 2012. Before joining Ofsted she was previously a headteacher of a large pupil referral unit judged to be outstanding. She has particular expertise in the support of DSEN students within specialist and mainstream settings.
Simon Knight, Director of Education, National Education Trust
Simon was formerly a Deputy Headteacher in a school for children aged between 2 and 19 with Severe or Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities that was described by OfSTED as being “Outstanding and inspirational”. He has sat on the DfE panels developing both the Teaching Assistant and Professional Development standards and chairs the ‘SEND Teachers’ group as part of the Whole School SEND consortium. He writes a monthly feature for the TES and can be found Tweeting as @simonknight100.
Richard Aird OBE, Consultant in SEND and member of the Rochford Review
Richard served as headteacher of four special schools during a headship career spanning three decades. Since retiring in 2013 Richard has remained committed to the SEND sector, working part time as an independent consultant, lecturer, trustee and author. He is regularly invited to provide expert advice to the DfE, most recently as a member of the Teachers Standards Review and of The Rochford Review.
Jayne Jardine, Headteacher, Manor School
Jayne has 27 years’ experience of working within education, with 20 of these being spent as Head Teacher of four highly successful special schools and two as a senior LA adviser. As an aspirational practitioner her aim is for every child to be taught in an intrinsically motivating manner to ensure maximum engagement and learning. Her mantra is ‘Love, Learn, Laugh’.
Jan Martin, Education Consultant
Jan has extensive SLT experience in education. As well as being an SEN inspector (both for a Local Authority and for Ofsted – primary & secondary mainstream and special schools), she has held Local Authority senior leadership roles.
Heidi Dennison, Deputy Headteacher, Frank Wise School
Heidi has been a member of the leadership team for over 10 years and has whole school responsibility for assessment and curriculum. She is a member of the local authority’s Special Schools Data Users Group as well as a cross-county group which works towards ensuring the highest standards in attainment and progress.
Vijita Patel, Headteacher, Swiss Cottage School
Vijita joined Swiss Cottage School in 2012, leading it as a member of the Executive Team into its fifth Outstanding Ofsted grade. Vijita is a proponent for effective inclusion of learners of learners with SEND and promotes this agenda through a sistem leadership model. She believes inclusive philosophies and specialist pedagogy drive sustainable change towards aspirational outcomes.
Alison Randall, Deputy Headteacher at Camberwell Park School
Alison has been a teacher since 2000 in both mainstream and special schools and is currently Deputy Headteacher at Camberwell Park School She has worked with parents and carers throughout her career as a partner in ensuring their children achieve all they can.
Johanne Henstock, Assistant Headteacher at Camberwell Park School
Johanne has been a teaacher working with children with SEN for 16 years. For the past 10 years she has ben an assistant Headteacher at Camberwell Park School with a lead role in developing the schools work with parents and families. Most recently she has developed EHCP reviews with the school.
Barney Angliss, Deputy Head of Pupil Referral Unit and Local Authority SEND Manager
Barney Angliss is a teacher, consultant, trainer, writer and researcher in Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) with 26 years’ experience. Barney is lead project co-ordinator with National Star and a programme board member at the Council for Disabled Children. He has presented to The Telegraph Festival of Education, South-East Strategic Leadership and the EU-funded Transforming Autism Education conference.
Monika Gaweda, Leader of SLD provision, Swiss Cottage School, Development and Research Centre
Monika’s current role as leader of provision for learners with severe learning difficulties has evolved out of a passion to ensure that every learner with special education needs, however complex, receives the very best quality provision available which is meaningful to individual needs and unlocks full potential. Monika’s role involves overseeing the curriculum, assessment, teaching and learning and ensuring high quality of provision for all learners across the school.
Monika’s journey at Swiss Cottage School started in 2007. For the past 9 years she has gained experience through working as a class teacher, teacher mentor, and a member of the extended leadership team.
Monika has a Masters in SEN from her native Poland, as well as a BA in SEN and many years of classroom practice.