Crowne Plaza Stratford-upon-Avon
West Midlands
CV37 6YRUnited Kingdom
This event is for specialist and FE colleges, regardless of whether they are a Natspec member, affiliate or not.
The annual Natspec National Conference takes place on 17 and 18 June 2025 at The Crowne Plaza in Stratford-upon-Avon.
This event is now well established as the must-attend event for anyone with an interest in further education for learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Across a packed 2 day programme, delegates will enjoy a wealth of learning and networking opportunities, receive practical tips and explore a range of best practice ideas, and hear the latest updates on national policy for SEND in FE. We will be looking at the role of specialist provision within an inclusive FE system and how FE professionals can remain focussed on positive outcomes for learners, despite headlines regarding the “broken SEND system”, the financial crisis, and staffing issues. Students will once again take centre stage, taking part in work experience, performing at the dinner and speaking about their college experience and aspirations.
Our breakout sessions offer a diverse range of subjects, including relationships with employers, governance, the value of therapy, identifying and adapting to learner needs, leading organisations, baseline assessments, learner voice, curriculum planning for happiness, staffing shortages in residential provision, the psychological impact of leadership, staff training, AI in SEND settings, community partnerships and environmental sustainability.
The conference programme leaves plenty of space for you to network with other SEND professionals and to find out about the products and services offered by our exhibitors. We hope you leave with fresh ideas, new connections, energy and inspiration and we look forward to seeing you there.
“It was an amazing time at the conference, I really loved it.”
Costs
Attendees will be able to choose which day(s) they wish to attend, and then add the conference dinner and accommodation as optional extras.
Free places for Natspec member colleges
All Natspec members will receive either a free place for the whole conference for one person, or two free day places to be used by two different members of staff. Free places exclude accommodation and will be applied to the first booking(s) made by each member college.
Natspec member
£150 per day (+ VAT)
Natspec affiliates
£190 per day (+ VAT)
Everyone else
£250 per day (+ VAT)
Accommodation at the Crowne Plaza conference hotel £140 (+ VAT) per night (available on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 June). Accommodation at the Crowne Plaza on Tuesday is now fully booked. Rooms may become available closer to the conference but we would advise attendees to make their own arrangements if they require accommodation.
Conference dinner and drinks Tuesday 17 June: £55 (+VAT)
Programme
We are still confirming programme details for Natspec National Conference 2025. Initial details are below.
Tuesday 17 June
9:00am–10:00am
Registration opens, with refreshments, an opportunity to network and visit the exhibition
10:00am–10:10am
Conference welcome: Student speaker and Lynette Barrett, Natspec Chair
10:10am–11:40am
Keynote session: Navigating complexity. Introduction from Clare Howard, Natspec CEO, followed by two keynote speakers:
Professor Kevin Fong OBE, broadcaster and consultant anaesthetist, will talk about working within complex systems, resilience and influencing change, based on his wide experience across the NHS, NASA, and working nationally during the Covid crisis.
Dr Alan Watkins, physician, neuroscientist and recognised expert on leadership and human performance, will explain the characteristics of “wicked problems” and how to find solutions.
Q&A with speakers and discussion about how these approaches can apply to SEND in FE.
11:40am–11:55am
Move to breakout rooms, refreshments
11:55am–1:00pm
Breakout session 1: Choose from any of the Tuesday breakout sessions
1:00pm–2:15pm
Lunch, exhibition and networking
2:15pm–3:20pm
Breakout session 2: Choose from any of the Tuesday breakout sessions
3:20pm–4:00pm
Refreshment break, exhibition and networking
4:00pm–4:45pm
Keynote session: Successful employer / college partnerships: the employer perspective. Gary Morrison of Santander, Aimee Mann of NESO, and Hilary Stephenson of Nexer Digital join us in a panel discussion on working with colleges to build routes into employment for young people with SEND.
4:45pm–5:30pm
Inclusion in FE: Delegates will meet in regional groups to discuss the roles of different provider types in achieving an inclusive FE system for young people with SEND in their region. You will be invited to reflect on key messages and strategies to be used in a campaign to demonstrate the importance of specialist FE, wherever it is being offered, to stakeholders such as LAs and the DfE.
5:30pm–7:00pm
Break and room check-in, with a further opportunity for networking, to relax or use the hotel’s leisure facilities
7:00pm–7:45pm
Drinks reception and student entertainment
7:45pm–late
Conference dinner: The conference dinner will include performances by students at Natspec colleges and the presentation of the Kathryn Rudd Award.
“Amazing student performances which I will remember for years to come!”
Wednesday 18 June
8:30am–9:30am
Registration opens, with refreshments, an opportunity to network and visit the exhibition
9:30am–11:00am
Welcome to day 2: conference chair and student speaker
Keynote session: What’s next for SEND in FE, accountability and inspection?
During this session, we will hear from the FE and Skills Minister, followed by three keynote speakers who are at the centre of SEND reform, FE and Skills policy, and inspection.
Dame Christine Lenehan, government SEND adviser and ex-Director of the Council for Disabled Children, will speak about the current government’s plans for reform of the SEND system, and how specialist FE can play its part in finding solutions to mend the “broken” system.
Questions from the floor
Shelagh Legrave CBE, the FE Commissioner, will provide some reflections on a career in the FE system, as she steps down from her role in the summer. She will examine the key priorities that apply throughout the FE sector, and how specialist FE can learn from the FE commissioner’s work supporting colleges with their governance, financial sustainability and curriculum planning.
Questions from the floor
Denise Olander, the Deputy Director for Post 16 training and skills at Ofsted, will provide an update on Ofsted’s inspection process following the recent consultation on the new inspection framework.
Questions from the floor
11:00am–11:30am
Hot topics: your chance to join experts for a short roundtable discussion on a variety of topics- choose one of the following:
Creating engaging learning spaces and sustainable buildings: with TG Escapes
Cyber is a senior leader issue: with Jisc
Engaging young people in maths: with Maths for Life
Is your Management Information System fit for purpose? With Databridge
VAT implications for colleges: with Jonathan Main, VAT expert and Partner at mha, a member of Bakertilly international
11:30am–12:00pm
Refreshments, exhibition and networking
12:00pm–1:10pm
Breakout session 3: Choose from any of the Wednesday breakout sessions
1:10pm–2:10pm
Lunch, exhibition and networking
2:10pm–3:45pm
Keynote session: Understanding Anxiety
Presentations from three different perspectives followed by a panel discussion in which we explore young people’s experience of anxiety. Where is the rise in anxiety coming from? How can colleges turn things around for young people whose experience of school was anxiety-ridden? Why is anxiety more common in autistic young people and does it have to be that way?’
All these questions and more will unpacked by Natasha Devon, writer, broadcaster and mental health campaigner; Rebecca Johnson, consultant clinical psychologist; and Sam Brice, clinical psychologist and clinical research associate.
3:45pm–4:00pm
Conference close
Breakout sessions
Tuesday 17 June
Green changemaking
Dr Lou Mycroft, FE Changemaker, social entrepreneur and TEDx speaker
We all want to ‘do something’ when it comes to environmental sustainability. But it’s not always easy to see how as individuals we can make a difference. Green changemaking allows us to move from good intentions to practical, impactful action. Come along to find out how:
you can become a champion for greener and more environmentally sustainable practices in your college and community
you can support others in your organisation, both staff and learners, to take on this role
learners with SEND can be part of the green skills agenda.
Unlocking the power of AI in SEND settings
Darren Coxon, founder of Coxon AI
This interactive workshop will give you a practical, hands-on introduction to the ways in which AI can benefit learners with SEND and the colleges supporting them. Participants will leave with actionable insights and tools to save time, boost productivity and empower young people.
8 wise ways to develop optimal ‘mental wealth’ as a leader
Kim Rutherford, Psychotherapist from Dalton Wise Consultancy
Participants will explore the psychological impact of leadership and the concept of ‘mental wealth’ before being introduced to the 8Wise model and how they can use it to develop their own psychological wellbeing as well as workplace wellbeing initiatives.
Getting the starting point right
Tracy Gillett, Principal / Director of Education at Condover College
An exploration of the importance of baseline assessment and establishing an accurate starting point. Tracy will share a set of principles for effective baseline assessment and describe how these are applied in practice at Condover College. This session will be of interest to senior and middle managers with oversight of baseline assessment and to therapy leaders involved in transdisciplinary assessment and support.
Leading your organisation into the future
Mark Dale, CEO of Portland Charity Group
In this interactive workshop, Mark Dale will invite senior leaders, aspiring leaders and governors to begin creating a map of their future. Participants will look at practical strategies to plan for an uncertain future, what sorts of development you need to consider to ensure your organisation continues to be relevant and how to bring stakeholders, including staff, with you.
Let’s talk race
Jeff Greenidge, Director for Diversity and Governance at Association of Colleges
This session will highlight the importance of addressing race and racism in the SEND context. Using examples of work done in general FE colleges to build a more inclusive curriculum, we will explore how these principles can apply in specialist settings. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to create a more inclusive curriculum.
Curriculum planning for happiness
David Winter, Curriculum Manager of Portland College
David Winter explains how Portland College has put happiness at the core of curriculum intent, design, and implementation. In this interactive workshop participants will explore their understandings of happiness, why it matters, the investment required in staff training, and development and practical ways to measure the impact of the curriculum including the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. The session will be of interest to senior managers, curriculum managers, and teachers.
Wednesday 18 June
The value of occupational therapy in specialist colleges
Matt Harper, Aurora Boveridge College, and Kerry Laing, Aurora Foxes
An insight into the role of occupational therapy (OT) in enabling learners to engage, develop, and thrive. By putting OT at the heart of their services Matt and Kerry have enabled their two colleges to create enabling environments, develop the skills of staff in different roles, and increase the independence, self-care, productivity, and wellbeing of their learners.
Harnessing the power of community to achieve local impact
Sylvan Dewing, Principal of the Deaf Academy
In this session Sylvan will describe how the Deaf Academy has integrated community partnerships within the organisation’s strategic plan to benefit staff and students and meet wider organisational objectives. Examples of community projects, their impact, and lessons learned will be shared.
The session will be of interest to those with responsibility for developing, strengthening, and maintaining community links for their organisation, and for those who are responsible for fundraising.
Is your staff training offer fit for purpose?
Jay Marshall, Deputy Head at Newfriars College
Jay will explain how her college restructured its approach to specialist staff training and CPD so that it is collaborative, personalised and developmental. She will share how science of learning and principles of effective CPD were used to develop a programme exploring effective SEND pedagogies with staff. Participants will explore ways to plan effective training which ensures teaching and learning support staff are sufficiently skilled to meet the SEND needs of changing learner cohorts, including use of a deep-dive audit tool to assess staff skills against learner needs.
Improving specialist college governance
Pat Dyson, Hereward College and David Holloway, Association of Colleges
David and Pat will share learning from recent Ofsted inspections and their experiences of governance in the mainstream and specialist FE sectors. Different models of governance, the use of governance codes and methods of evaluating board performance will be presented. Governance themes emerging from external board reviews will be discussed to enable delegates to consider their own college’s board development priorities. This session will be of interest to governors / trustees and college leaders looking to evaluate the effectiveness of their governance.
Learner voice for all
Katherine Cavill and Andrew Evans from National Star College, with Leigh Blakeman from Chadsgrove Specialist College
The three presenters will draw on work carried out last year with member colleges on articulating an authentic learner voice and related work within their organisations on making student evaluation processes more inclusive. The session will cover the importance of a ‘top down’ culture of valuing all learner perspectives in developing organisational strategy and operations, alongside quality processes, whilst maintaining authenticity of learners’ opinions and thoughts.
Can you meet need?
Franki Williams, SEND Consultant
Early identification of learner needs is critical to securing successful placements. In this session, SEND Consultant Franki Williams will consider how colleges can adapt to meet the changing needs of SEND learners. You will have an opportunity to explore with other providers the challenges of meeting the learning and support needs of a growing cohort of young people who present with a wider range of needs than some providers may have previously encountered.
Just one thing: a peer approach to improving teaching and learning
Lorna Langridge, Head of Quality and Curriculum Development at NewVIc
Lorna will share a simple but impactful approach introduced at NewVIc to encourage experimentation, sharing of practice and peer support in pursuit of improved teaching and learning. Participants will have the opportunity to explore how they might adapt the NewVIc approach to drive forward improvements in their own settings. This session will be of particular interest to quality and curriculum leads.
Supporting residential managers during critical staffing shortages
Sue Jeffries, National Lead Policy Advisor at National Star
Sue Jeffries will share findings from research undertaken for her MBA on the impact of staffing shortages on residential managers. She will explain how their physical and mental health have been affected, as well as how their ability to maintain a quality service has been severely challenged. Sue will also introduce the concept of ‘planned reactivity’ as a means by which managers can successfully navigate a path through challenging times. This interactive session will be particularly useful to senior leaders of colleges with residential provision who are looking for practical, actionable ways to support residential managers.
Exhibition
Speak directly to suppliers in our exhibition. Across the programme, there is plenty of time to explore our exhibition space.
Originally developed in a Specialist College to monitor and record non-accredited skills, Databridge delivers functionality designed specifically for the Specialist sector.
We use modern methods of construction, traditional materials and sophisticated technology, creating buildings that are net-zero in operation. Cognitive experts believe that effective special educational needs (SEN) classroom design is the key to creating a positive learning environment. SEND and SEMH is a key business focus, with us creating Biophilic and specialist eco buildings to support challenges within the education sector, and we are having a great impact on providing settings for Schools and Colleges.
Our specialists are committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive support for individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, enabling them to reach their full potential in both education and life. We achieve this through our meticulous recruitment services across Primary, Secondary, Further Education, Community Care, Health, and Care sectors. In FE, our mission is to empower students with additional needs to attain their personal, social, and academic goals, while enhancing their employability and independence skills.
PIB Insurance Brokers have been working with clients in the special education needs sector since 1976. Having extensive experience in the SEN insurance market allows us to understand the common risks that our clients face and to design innovative solutions to help mitigate and transfer these risks. Providing market leading premium rates to our clients. We look forward to catching up with our current clients and potential new clients at this years conference!
Jisc is a non-profit, dedicated to serving the education sector with reliable, resilient connectivity options, underpinned by our flagship Janet Network. As the UK’s National Research and Education Network (NREN) and trusted by Department of Education, specialist colleges can access expertise and services in cyber, cloud and our thriving communities sharing effective practice.
We have built a name for excellence with both our private and commercial clients. Our industry focus, including our leading reputation in the charity and education sectors, enables us to provide tailored advice specific to your needs. Specialist legal advice delivered in a positive and personable manner.
We are the national body for careers education in England, supporting schools and colleges to deliver modern, 21st century careers education. Our mission is to help every young person find their best next step. We do this by working with both primary and secondary schools, colleges and employers to improve careers education and secure better outcomes for young people. Our work is at national scale and delivered through our network of Careers Hubs.
Established in 2009, Peridot Partners is a values-led executive recruitment agency transforming leadership and inspiring change with organisations that have a social purpose. We focus on long-term, deep-rooted relationships that bring added value. We challenge the status quo about what makes good leadership, and this is reflected in our exceptional clients, candidates and close community of change-makers. We spend our time recruiting exemplary candidates to executive and non-executive roles, supporting organisations to have even greater impacts.
Evidence for Learning (EfL) is an app specially designed to support assessment of learners with SEND or additional learning needs, making it easy to create a rich, comprehensive picture and narrative of what learning and progress look like for each student. ALL stakeholders can quickly and easily gather photo/video evidence, linked to individual’s learning goals, including EHCPs/RARPA/PfA/accreditations, plus any skills frameworks and other key indicators EfL is used over 800 specialist settings across England.
Innovation Broking, part of Howden and Natspec Associate Members, provide insurance to many Natspec members. As experts in the specialist education sector, we understand your unique challenges and design tailored insurance solutions for your specific risks. We offer more than traditional insurance broking by joining your team to provide board-level advice, educate on inherent and traditional risks, offer mitigation and fortify your college with suitable, tailored insurance.
The WHEEL OF INDEPENDENCE™ Framework is a package of resources for supporting and tracking progress and measuring outcomes for independence and functional life skills for teenagers and young adults who have the potential to live an independent or semi-independent life. The online tool tracks progress in eight comprehensive life skills areas related to participation in activities of daily living at home, college/school and in the community.
HeX are a service lead digital agency. We look after the things that matter to you. We show you how to improve your services and make them work better for you and your visitors. We help you to promote your best assets. Every website we produce is accessible for people with disabilities who cannot access websites and digital services using conventional methods.
Lifeways began in 1995 and has grown to become the UK’s largest supported living specialist, proud to support almost 5,000 people to lead more fulfilling, independent lives and employing over 9,000 people. Our purpose at Lifeways is to improve lives by helping people to live with independence in their local community. By supporting them to discover new hobbies, activities and friendships, and spending quality time with like-minded people, we offer a truly personalised approach.
CENTURY is an online teaching and learning tool. Using AI and the latest research in learning science and neuroscience, it creates constantly adapting personalised pathways for students and powerful intervention data for teachers. CENTURY stretches and supports every student – instantly addressing gaps in knowledge, remedying misconceptions and providing resources for teacher-led interventions.
Empowering Student Wellbeing youHQ is a digital platform designed to support wellbeing, goal setting, and personal development for learners in specialist and further education settings. Our tools help students build agency, develop life skills, and improve emotional resilience through daily check-ins, personalised goals, and character education. With powerful analytics and safeguarding integrations, youHQ gives staff the insights they need to support every learner. Visit us to explore how youHQ can elevate outcomes across your provision.
Nexer Digital, who offer a broad range of services in all areas of digital transformation and inclusion, are partnering with SENDCode, a digital agency offering work opportunities for interns, and Natspec member, DISC. Together we are offering vital accessibility services, including website health checks and user testing by SEND learners to ensure your online presence meets accessibility standards. Visit our stand at the Natspec conference to discover how we can help your college.
Investing to end poverty and inequality. We invest and provide loans to Social Enterprises, Social-Purpose Businesses, and Charities, creating core solutions to end poverty in the UK.
If you’re interested in our exhibition or sponsorship opportunities, please get in touch with conference@natspec.org.uk
Formerly a doctor at NASA and in 2020 being seconded to the COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness Resilience & Response team, to now flying part of a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) crew in the UK, Dr Kevin Fong OBE holds an extraordinary career demonstrating teamwork, risk management and decision making under extreme pressure.
He is an honorary senior lecturer in physiology at University College London, where he organises and runs an undergraduate course in Extreme Environment Physiology. He studied astrophysics and medicine at University College London and a masters in astronautics and space engineering at Cranfield University. He is a member of Royal College of Physicians, a Fellow of the Royal College of anaesthetists and has completed postgraduate clinical training in Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine. Kevin has a long standing interest in human space exploration and space medicine and has worked with NASA’s Human Adaptation and Countermeasures Office at Johnson Space Centre in Houston. He’s worked with NASA’s human space flight programme in Houston and he has a unique perspective on science and technology exploration, along with the limits of the human body; which he has brought to life in his talks that he’s delivered all over the world. He was awarded an OBE for services to science, medicine and healthcare in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2019.
Alan’s purpose is both clear and ambitious. With his background as a physician and neuroscientist, it’s evident where his passion stems from. However, Alan made a significant shift 25 years ago. He moved away from individual patient care to address suffering on a broader scale.
His focus turned towards working with large multinational corporations, acknowledging their impact on people’s health, wellbeing and performance. Alan believes that while corporations can be a force for good, poor leadership can result in significant suffering.
Alan firmly believes that every individual has the ability to grow and develop. He advocates for more compassionate leadership, with greater inclusivity, knowing that better leadership positively improves the lives of thousands, even millions, within an organisation and its wider stakeholder community.
Christine began her career as a social worker in 1980, and joined the Council for Disabled Children in 2000. She has conducted impactful reviews for the DoH and DfE, leading to significant practice changes affecting children and young people. Recently, she led a review on safeguarding disabled children in residential settings, urging government collaboration to improve education, health, and care for disabled children. Christine was awarded an OBE in 2009, became an Honorary Fellow of the RCPCH in 2013, and received a Damehood in 2016 for her work with disabled children. In October 2024, she was appointed Strategic Advisor on SEND to support government reforms.
Hilary Stephenson is the Managing Director of Nexer Digital, a UK and Nordics-based agency specialising in human-centred research, design and development, with a focus on driving social impact. We help our clients to research, design and build inclusive, accessible products and services. Hilary has led Nexer’s growth from its inception in 2007, delivering inclusive digital solutions across sectors such as healthcare, education, and government. A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Hilary also serves on the board of Manchester Digital and volunteers with Diversity Role Models, promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion through education and storytelling.
Aimee Mann is the EmployAbility Supported Internship Programme Lead at the National Energy System Operator (NESO). She oversees the strategic design and day-to-day delivery of the programme across two sites in Warwick and Wokingham, offering up to 10 Internships each year. The programme partners with local colleges, supported employment agencies and internal stakeholders to provide real-world work placements across the organisation. Her leadership ensures the interns receive meaningful placements in departments such as External Affairs, IT, Early Careers and the Control Room, offering skill-building opportunities with a commitment to carving entry level roles within the organisation, when possible. She is a strong advocate for inclusive hiring practices within the energy sector and beyond, with a passion for DEIB and a lived experience as the mother of a neurodiverse teenager with a learning disability and medical needs.
Prior to joining NESO, Aimee’s experience was in supporting young people with additional learning needs to overcome barriers and gain employment, creating and delivering parental advocacy workshops, recruitment and, marketing and advertising within the FMCG and film sectors. Aimee is passionate about driving change through collaboration and continues to build partnerships that expand access and awareness around inclusive employment and is proud to work for an organisation committed to building a diverse workforce reflective of the communities they serve.
Dr Sam Brice is a clinical psychologist who shares his time between working clinically in a regional, specialist NHS service for paediatric neurodevelopmental conditions and as a researcher within the Faculty of Medical Science, Newcastle University, UK. Sam’s research interests centre primarily on the conceptualisation, assessment and treatment of mental health conditions experienced by autistic people of all ages. Sam is committed to working alongside the autism community to promote the development of personalised and effective means for assessing and treating mental health conditions and ensuring that such resources are made available to more autistic people. Sam’s most recent work has involved coordinating a randomised controlled trial which explored the feasibility and acceptability of delivering a newly developed, personalised psychological treatment for anxieties experienced by autistic adults.
Dr Rebecca Johnson is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with 20 years of clinical experience in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), predominantly in the field of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, with a special interest in Infant Mental Health and Parenting. She has been a Solihull Approach trainer and contributor since 2001 and is currently employed by the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust as the Solihull Approach Development Manager. The Solihull Approach integrates psychotherapy concepts with child development and learning theory into a practical framework to support practitioners and parents to think about parent-child interactions, parental states of mind and child development. This understanding helps to facilitate secure attachment relationships between infants and their caregivers, thereby promoting healthy child development. She is proud to be a member of the Education Policy Alliance and a Square Peg Associate. She is also on the advisory board of the National Centre for Supervision of Parent-Infant Relationships.
Shelagh Legrave was appointed as Further Education Commissioner in 2021. Shelagh has served as Principal and CEO of a large college group, and has a background in finance. She led through multiple mergers and improvements, and supported the previous Further Education Commissioner as part of the FE Principals Reference Group.
Denise is a qualified teacher and has a Master’s degree in Leadership and Management. Prior to working for Ofsted, Denise gained senior management experience working in large general further education colleges. Her responsibilities included the management of a wide range of college faculties, provision for learners aged 14 to 16, foundation learning, ESOL, children looked after, NEET, adult community and subcontractors and college franchises. Denise has particular expertise in leading inspections of general further education, sixth form and independent specialist colleges and offender learning. Denise is a national trainer for further education and skills.
Leigh Blakeman is Curriculum Manager, Senior Mental Health Lead and Tutor at Chadsgrove Educational Trust Specialist College in Worcestershire. This is a specialist college provision for students aged between 19-25, that provides a tailored curriculum for students with PMLD, severe learning disabilities and complex needs, focused around Preparing for Adulthood. Leigh has a deep commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment and accessible curriculum that can accommodate the unique needs of each student, ensuring they have the best opportunities to thrive. Passionate about the power of learner voice, Leigh believes in a person-centred approach and seeks to create opportunities for students to share their aspirations, express their opinions and mould their own education journeys. Leigh advocates for an inclusive education system that allows students to access an environment that fosters independence for adulthood and utilises effective and appropriate communication strategies to ensure all voices are heard; where learners feel valued and supported, build confidence, self-belief and in turn self-worth. She firmly believes that empowering students to advocate for themselves equips them with the skills they need for a fulfilling and more self-determined future. A commitment to this vision has led to the development of innovative programs and strategies that celebrate diversity, promote wellbeing, and prepare students for life beyond education.
Personalised Learning Coordinator Tutor, National Star
Katherine Cavill is a Personalised Learning Coordinator Tutor at National Star in Cheltenham and a qualified Intensive Interaction Practitioner. Katherine, who has worked at National Star for 16 years, is passionate about inclusion and founded Star LitFest which coincides with National Sensory Story Telling Day. Now in its sixth year, the event bringstogether a range of sensory story telling experiences for all students. It also helps to share the understanding andknowledge of sensory stories. She is a contributor to Joanna Grace’s book Sensory Stories to Support Additional Needs: Making Narratives Accessible Through the Senses.
Darren Coxon is the Founder of Node Education, a consultancy specialising in giving schools AI compliance support, tools, policy and training for an AI future. An educator for 25 years, Darren has most recently managed the operation of school groups, notably Brighton College’s international schools and Britus Education, Bahrain. Darren has been at the forefront of educational technology for many years, including leading the first state 6th form in the UK to move to an iPad 1:1 model. He is now a major thought leader on AI in education and has delivered training, keynotes and workshops for HMC, COBIS, BSME, GSA, NASS, Wellington College, Saxton Bampfylde, Independent Schools Portal, the National College, GESS Dubai, and the NAHT Inspiring Leadership Conference.
Mark Dale is CEO of Portland Charity Group and has led the organisation for 18 years. Prior to that he was Deputy Head of the School of Education, University of Nottingham and Associate Professor of Education. Mark has led many innovative projects and developments over a long career in education, with Portland College garnering numerous regional and national award in recent years.
Sylvan originally studied law and worked in welfare rights and student support before training as a teacher. With over 20 years’ experience of working in the education he joined the academy in 2017 having previously worked in the London Boroughs of Haringey and Hackney. As a dyslexic person who struggled at school Sylvan is passionate about inclusive education and ensuring that every young person is given the support they need to achieve their potential. “Our aim is to know and grow every learner, to empower them to achieve their full potential!”
Sylvan has successfully led and developed services that have won national awards including, whilst at Hackney Community College the Queens Anniversary Prize in 2011, Education and Training Category, for enabling people with mental health needs to gain education and employment skills, TES award 2016, contribution to the local community, highly commended. In addition, he has been involved in European Social Funded projects on reducing Youth violence and national working groups on Reducing NEETs and improving Healthy eating in the sector.
Sylvan joined the Deaf Academy in 2017 as Head of Safeguarding and then later became Principal in 2020. Sylvan has BSL level 2 and teaches as part of the college provision at the Academy.
Originally, Andrew’s background was within mainstream FE, leading bespoke programmes for young people with behavioural, emotional, social difficulties (BESD) as well as providing behaviour and classroom management training to trainee teachers. Andrew has a range of experience working with people with physical and learning disabilities in FE and specialist colleges, previously managing learner programmes at National Star. Andrew now leads on learner voice at National Star and has a passion for promoting, listening and responding to the voices of students and young people.
Andrew has a four-year-old son who keeps him busy and likes to trail run in his spare time.
Director of Education and Principal, Condover College
With over 25 years of experience in special education, Tracy serves as the Director of Education and Principal at Condover College and is the Vice Chair of Natspec’s Board. She holds a master’s degree in special education needs and inclusion, dedicating her career to advancing specialist further education. Tracy is deeply committed to providing high-quality education for all young people with SEND.
Tracy brings a wealth of expertise in quality improvement, frequently collaborating with other providers to conduct a variety of quality assurance activities across specialist and general further education colleges, as well as training providers. Her extensive experience includes working with young people with SEND, particularly those with communication difficulties, autism, profound and multiple learning difficulties, sensory impairments, and complex needs.
Director for Diversity and Governance, Association of Colleges
Jeff Greenidge is an experienced senior education leader, with a reputation for independent and strategic thinking. Jeff has taught at all levels of education from Primary, Secondary, Adult Education and Post Graduate teaching at Swansea University. He then worked for the Welsh and UK Government on the design and implementation of the National Curriculum before spending 3 years developing European vocational training programmes.Then followed 17 years at learndirect where he was first Director in Wales, then Northern Ireland and ultimately responsible for the delivery of education and training across the UK. Since leaving learndirect in 2015, Jeff has supported education and community organisations to assure their impact. He is now Director for Diversity and Governance with the AOC. In his spare time he walks and cycles in the mountains of South Wales.
Occupational Therapist and Head of Therapy,Aurora Boveridge College
Matt has worked in SEN for over 10 years, predominantly with teenagers and young adults with diagnoses of ASD and comorbid conditions. Matt enjoys working with OTs from across the Aurora group and creating a collaborative environment within the company, allowing OTs to share their diverse skills with colleagues, facilitating growth and development.
Senior Policy Manager – SEND, Association of Colleges
David Holloway is the senior policy manager for SEND at the Association of Colleges, the representative body for further education colleges in England. David has worked in the college sector and in SEND for more than a quarter of a century, as a teacher, manager and teacher trainer. He has taught at levels from undergraduate level to Entry Level One, sometimes in the same day. He has particular interests in mental health, maths, governance, and EDI. His recent published articles include ‘How to fix disadvantage funding’, ‘SEND capital allocations are unfairly skewed towards schools’ and ‘What if the SEND system isn’t broken?’
National Lead Policy Advisor, National Star College
With over 25 years of experience in disability support, Sue has dedicated her career to improving outcomes for individuals with learning disabilities, autism, and complex needs. She has worked across diverse sectors, including mainstream education, adult social care, and Local Authority commissioning, and is now a National Lead at National Star, a renowned charity supporting young people and adults with disabilities.
Sue’s expertise extends to both strategic and operational roles, giving her a unique perspective on the challenges faced by individuals and the services that support them. She has contributed to published research that empowers professionals to work more effectively with adults with autism. Through her MBA studies, Sue has delved deeply into the social care staffing crisis, focusing on its impact on registered managers and exploring innovative solutions to tackle workforce challenges in the sector. Her commitment to evidence-based practice and collaborative approaches continues to influence the development of inclusive, high-quality services for individuals with disabilities.
Occupational Therapist and Therapy Team Leader, Aurora Foxes Academy
Kerry has worked as an Occupational Therapist with Children and Young People for 29 years. She has worked in a variety of settings such as hospitals, schools, nurseries and client’s homes and was with the NHS for 26 years prior to joining Aurora Foxes as a full-time employee in 2022. Kerry extensive experience working with children and young people with a variety of additional needs such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, DCD, Autism, ADHD, limb abnormalities, and was a clinical specialist in the field of sensory processing difficulties. Now she works with young adults with learning difficulties in a higher specialist education provision, which has become her passion. Kerry enjoys working with young people transitioning into adulthood and seeing them grow and thrive in the vocational training college, enabling them to become “work ready, life ready”.
Jay Marshall is the Deputy Head of Newfriars College in Stoke on Trent. She has worked in special education and disability services for over 30 years in both mainstream and specialist settings with experience in schools, general and specialist FE and university education. She has a specific interest in curriculum design and the development of staff knowledge and expertise in best practice SEND teaching and learning and has delivered training both in the UK and internationally.
FE Changemaker, social entrepreneur and TEDx speaker
Dr Lou Mycroft is an FE Changemaker, social entrepreneur and TEDx speaker. With a background in further and adult education, community engagement and public health, her career has been focused around equity and empowerment. She currently convenes and facilitates a community of Green Changemakers, using processes such as the Thinking Environment to create space for joy and momentum. Lou believes that – with skills development – everyone can be a Changemaker and that we all have experience, aptitudes and knowledge we can bring to education for sustainable development.
Kim is a psychotherapist and founder of Dalton Wise Consultancy Ltd and the 8Wise™️ Wellness Programme. She is also the author of 8 Wise Ways to a Healthier Happier Mind. She provides executive psychological coaching, leadership development training and workplace wellbeing consultancy services to entrepreneurs, business owners, and senior leaders in corporate organisations and education institutes. Kim supports her clients to overcome the symptoms and negative thought patterns associated with stress and burnout such as exhaustion, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, depression, imposter syndrome, fear of failure, and the inability to make effective personal and professional decisions with confidence and clarity.
Franki has worked in the SEND sector for many years with a specialist interest in working with those with a label of profound and complex needs. Franki works with educational providers to improve the quality of education, including coaching to individuals and teams. Franki enjoys collaborative working and always learns something new when she works with colleagues in the sector.
Dave Winter is a Curriculum Manager for Health and Wellbeing at Portland College, an Ofsted Outstanding rated specialist Further Education College in Nottinghamshire supporting over 250 learners from across the country. With a career spanning nearly 30 years at the college, David began as a part-time carer, progressing through roles such as Care Coordinator, learning support, and teaching, before advancing into management.
In recognition of his dedication and impact, Dave was honoured with the Outstanding Individual Contribution Award at the National Special Educational Needs and Disability Awards Ceremony in 2021. This accolade celebrates exceptional inclusive practices for young people across the UK.
Dave has exceptional expertise and passion for positive outcomes for people with learning difficulties and disabilities and those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and areas. He is currently chair of Nottinghamshire Special Olympics Network, a role he is passionate about and combines with his work at Portland College.
