This unique training programme provides participants with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and knowledge in the context of special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision. Learning alongside fellow SEND professionals from the further education sector, you will explore your own leadership challenges through a combination of face-to-face and online learning sessions, action learning sets, coaching and online missions.
If you require further information on the leadership programme that isn’t answered on this page, please contact transform@natspec.org.uk
Who is the programme for?
This leadership programme is suitable for
principals and aspiring principals of specialist FE colleges
leaders and aspiring leaders of SEND or additional learning needs (ALN) provision in other FE and skills settings.
Previous successful graduates of Natspec’s SEND leadership programme
Why should I do the leadership programme?
This is an ideal programme for professionals who want to develop their leadership skills in the context of SEND/ALN provision, with a delivery team and fellow participants who understand SEND/ALN issues.
You will develop your knowledge and skills in a supportive environment, learning not only from course leaders and guest contributors, but also from your fellow participants.
By the end of the programme you will have gained a peer network of senior leaders working in SEND/ALN. We hope that you will be able to continue to support one another as your careers develop.
Having improved your understanding of leadership and developed your skills, you will be well-placed to lead not only your own organisations but also the wider SEND/ALN system.
How is the programme delivered?
The course is delivered through blended learning and includes:
an initial face-to-face orientation day
three modules delivered through online group learning sessions
two modules delivered face-to-face
an online progress check-in
three online meetings in action learning sets
four coaching sessions delivered remotely.
You will be set a series of missions to complete during the course, using an online learning platform, and have access to a set of digital resources. You will also be encouraged to extend your learning through peer exchanges, such as learning visits to other course participants’ colleges.
The total structured learning time for the programme is approximately 45 hours. You should allow a further 30 hours of self-directed preparation, reflection and challenge completion to enable you to get the most out of the course.
Programme Structure
Click on the icons in the diagram below to explore the elements of the leadership programme in more detail.
A full day face-to-face interactive session to kick off the programme in which you will meet the course leader, coaches and your fellow participants. You will leave this session with an understanding of the programme aims, content, format and approach and will have had the opportunity to have any questions answered. Collective ‘hopes’ and ‘fears’ will be explored in a supportive environment to ensure that everyone begins the journey fully motivated. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, this will be the first step in building a professional network with your fellow participants.
Each participant will have four 1:1 sessions with a leadership coach. Coaching is normally provided remotely. All sessions are confidential with a duration of 90 mins. The first session is slightly longer to allow for additional contracting formalities to be completed.
The coaching sessions are an opportunity for you to reflect on the programme and discuss your thoughts and conclusions in a safe, supportive environment.
The leadership coach will act as a ‘critical friend’, providing challenge and support to facilitate your leadership journey. The coaching sessions take place between Core Sessions in the programme timeline to encourage you to use the time to reflect on the previous Core Session and to prepare for the next elements of the programme. You may, however, decide to use the time to reflect on and discuss any element of leadership.
A 3-hour interactive on-line session to explore the subject of leadership from the inside out.
Before attending this core session, you will have completed a number of short pre-module reflective activities and questionnaires and will have also had the opportunity to discuss your conclusions with your coach.
Working in pairs or small groups, you will share the conclusions of their pre-work to explore how topics such as their values, beliefs, strengths and motivators have an impact on their approach to leadership.
You will also explore the topic of individual resilience giving you a set of practical tools to build and grow your resilience as a leader.
Each participant will have four 1:1 sessions with a leadership coach. Coaching is normally provided remotely. All sessions will be confidential with a duration of 90 mins.
The coaching sessions are an opportunity for you to reflect on the programme and discuss your thoughts and conclusions in a safe, supportive environment.
The leadership coach will act as a ‘critical friend’, providing challenge and support to facilitate your leadership journey. The coaching sessions take place between Core Sessions in the programme timeline to encourage you to use the time to reflect on the previous Core Session and to prepare for the next elements of the programme. You may, however, decide to use the time to reflect on and discuss any element of leadership.
Participants meet in group of 4-6 participants (known as a set). The Set participants will remain constant throughout the programme.
Each participant is allocated time to ‘present’ and explore a leadership problem/challenge. Ideally, participants will bring a significant leadership challenge that can be worked on throughout the programme.
Taking it in turns, the whole set works for the benefit of the person presenting the issue using insightful questioning.
The aim for the individual presenting the issue is to act on the issue and to reflect and learn from their action.
Action learning is often the most powerful and long-lasting element of a leadership programme with participants choosing to continue the group beyond the end of the programme.
Leading Your Organisation Core Session (3 hrs virtual)
A 3-hour online interactive session to explore the complexities of leading an organisation in the SEND/ALN sector and to identify ways to lead both within and beyond their boundaries.Before attending this core session, you will have completed a number of short pre-module reflective activities and questionnaires and will have also had the opportunity to discuss your conclusions with your coach.Working in pairs or small groups, you will share the conclusions of your pre-work to explore the challenges faced when leading your organisation in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) environment.The subject of ‘change’ and ‘learning agility’ will be introduced, and using a ‘systems’ approach, you will be encouraged to consider the impact of your various stakeholder groups.
Each participant will have four 1:1 sessions with a leadership coach. Coaching is normally provided remotely. All sessions will be confidential with a duration of 90 mins.
The coaching sessions are an opportunity for you to reflect on the programme and discuss your thoughts and conclusions in a safe, supportive environment.
The leadership coach will act as a ‘critical friend’, providing challenge and support to facilitate your leadership journey. The coaching sessions take place between Core Sessions in the programme timeline to encourage you to use the time to reflect on the previous Core Session and to prepare for the next elements of the programme. You may, however, decide to use the time to reflect on and discuss any element of leadership.
Participants meet online in a group of 4-6 participants (known as a set). The Set participants will remain constant throughout the programme.
Each participant is allocated time to ‘present’ and explore a leadership problem/challenge. Ideally, participants will bring a significant leadership challenge that can be worked on throughout the programme.
Taking it in turns, the whole set works for the benefit of the person presenting the issue using insightful questioning.
The aim for the individual presenting the issue is to act on the issue and to reflect and learn from their action.
Action learning is often the most powerful and long-lasting element of a leadership programme with participants choosing to continue the group beyond the end of the programme.
A 3-hour online interactive session to explore how to be an effective leader of others.
Before attending this core session, you will have completed a number of short pre-module reflective activities and questionnaires and will have also had the opportunity to discuss your conclusions with your coach.
Building on the work completed in the previous Core Sessions, you will work in pairs or small groups to explore concepts such as psychological safety, power, influence and a range of different leadership styles.
You will identify ways of harnessing your individual strengths as a leader to achieve not only your organisation’s vision but to have an impact in the wider SEND/ALN sector.
Each participant will have four 1:1 sessions with a leadership coach. Coaching is normally provided remotely. All sessions will be confidential with a duration of 90 mins.
The coaching sessions are an opportunity for you to reflect on the programme and discuss your thoughts and conclusions in a safe, supportive environment.
The leadership coach will act as a ‘critical friend’, providing challenge and support to facilitate your leadership journey. The coaching sessions take place between Core Sessions in the programme timeline to encourage you to use the time to reflect on the previous Core Session and to prepare for the next elements of the programme. You may, however, decide to use the time to reflect on and discuss any element of leadership.
Participants meet in a group of 4-6 participants (known as a set). The Set participants will remain constant throughout the programme.
Each participant is allocated time to ‘present’ and explore a leadership problem/challenge. Ideally, participants will bring a significant leadership challenge that can be worked on throughout the programme.
Taking it in turns, the whole set works for the benefit of the person presenting the issue using insightful questioning.
The aim for the individual presenting the issue is to act on the issue and to reflect and learn from their action.
Action learning is often the most powerful and long-lasting element of a leadership programme with participants choosing to continue the group beyond the end of the programme.
Leading The Sector Core Session (full day in-person)
We have an ambitious goal for participants on the programme: to lead ‘the sector’.
In the in-person session (part 1) you will build on the work completed in the previous core session to further influence stakeholders outside of your own organisation for the benefit of the SEND sector.
You will also be set a challenge relating to sector leadership that you will work on during the remainder of the programme, either individually, in pairs or in a small group.
Each participant will have four 1:1 sessions with a leadership coach. Coaching is normally provided remotely. All sessions will be confidential with a duration of 90 mins.
The coaching sessions are an opportunity for you to reflect on the programme and discuss your thoughts and conclusions in a safe, supportive environment.
The leadership coach will act as a ‘critical friend’, providing challenge and support to facilitate your leadership journey. The coaching sessions take place between Core Sessions in the programme timeline to encourage you to use the time to reflect on the previous Core Session and to prepare for the next elements of the programme. You may, however, decide to use the time to reflect on and discuss any element of leadership.
We have an ambitious goal for participants on the programme: to lead ‘the sector’.
The virtual session (part 2) will provide an opportunity for a review of progress on your sector leadership challenge and for you to seek feedback from fellow participants and the course leader on possible next steps. The session will also signpost ways to prepare for the final programme core session – Leading: The Past, Present & Future.
Leading: The Past, The Present and The Future (full day)
A final full-day face-to-face interactive session to conclude the course. During the session, each participant will present a summary of their personal leadership journey, highlighting the impact of your learning from the course on yourselves, your organisation and the wider SEND/ALN sector.
You will be asked to report on how effectively you have tackled the ‘Leading the Sector’ challenge set in the previous core session and how you plan to further develop in your role as a sector leader.
This final session is also an opportunity for you to give feedback on the programme and for all involved to celebrate the completion of the individual and collective leadership journeys.
The programme is supported by a digital action learning tool called myQuest. Your SEND Leadership Programme quest contains a series of missions for you to complete. The missions are varied and include videos, questionnaires, models, theories, opinions, websites, podcasts alongside reflective and practical activities for you to complete ahead of each core session. myQuest contains a variety of supplementary digital resources for those wanting to explore topics in more detail. The system also enables participants to share ideas and thoughts with one another to create a community learning experience.
Peer learning is at the heart of this programme. As well as taking advantage of learning alongside other SEND professionals, participants will be encouraged to organise visits, discussions or group activities with fellow participants outside the structured learning time of the programme itself.
How will my achievements be recognised?
Natspec will issue a course completion certificate to all participants who complete the course.
Who is involved in the delivery?
Course leader: Simon Whitehouse
Simon delivers each of the core sessions and facilitates the action learning sets. He has over 20 years’ experience in designing and facilitating leadership programmes for leaders at all levels within private and public sector organisations in the UK and abroad. He has worked with leaders in the UK further education sector since 2009 including on national programmes such as the Principals Qualifying Programme and Aspiring Principals Programme and with individual FE colleges, including specialist colleges.
Coach: Jane Ragless
Jane coaches course participants. She is an experienced coach, coaching trainer, manager, and practitioner. Currently Deputy Head of Learning in Foundation Programmes at Chichester College, she has delivered the ‘License to Coach’ programme across the college group, developing participants’ ability to create a coaching ethos within their provision. Jane has been involved with SEND in further education for over 20 years. Instrumental in the creation of a quality driven, robust RARPA process, she received the Chichester College Group STAR award for innovation in teaching, learning and assessment.
Coach: Franki Williams
Franki coaches course participants. She provides coaching to senior leaders in the FE sector as well as delivering bespoke consultancy and training. She has a Level 7 Certificate for Senior Mentors and Coaches, accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management. Franki has worked in SEND provision as a teacher, manager and leader and has a specialist interest in working with young autistic people and those with profound and complex needs. She has an M.Ed. in Severe, Profound and Complex Needs from the University of Birmingham.
Coach: Kathryn James
Kathryn coaches course participants. She is a qualified coach and mentor from the Institute of Leadership and Management, a Thinking Environment practitioner and has an MA in Education Management. Kathryn has a broad range of experience in post-16 education as a leader, manager and governor, particularly in student support, equity, diversity and inclusion, mental health and wellbeing, safeguarding and Information, Advice and Guidance. She works with individuals and organisation to promote inclusive leadership so that everyone is enabled to work to their full potential and is accountable and committed to equity and inclusion.
When will the programme be delivered?
The programme takes place over a twelve-month period, with the majority of scheduled content delivered within the first nine months.
Key dates for the September 2025 cohort:
All activities will take place remotely unless otherwise stated.
Participants from non-member organisations: £2,900 plus VAT
Express your interest
Places for the 2025 cohort are now full. If you’d like to express your interest in joining the September 2026 cohort, please fill in the form below so we can notify you once the booking is open.
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Simon delivers each of the core sessions and facilitates the action learning sets. He has over 20 years’ experience in designing and facilitating leadership programmes for leaders at all levels within private and public sector organisations in the UK and abroad. He has worked with leaders in the UK further education sector since 2009 including on national programmes such as the Principals Qualifying Programme and Aspiring Principals Programme and with individual FE colleges, including specialist colleges.
Jane coaches course participants. She is an experienced coach, coaching trainer, manager, and practitioner. Currently Deputy Head of Learning in Foundation Programmes at Chichester College, she has delivered the ‘License to Coach’ programme across the college group, developing participants’ ability to create a coaching ethos within their provision. Jane has been involved with SEND in further education for over 20 years. Instrumental in the creation of a quality driven, robust RARPA process, she received the Chichester College Group STAR award for innovation in teaching, learning and assessment.
Franki coaches course participants. She provides coaching to senior leaders in the FE sector as well as delivering bespoke consultancy and training. She has a Level 7 Certificate for Senior Mentors and Coaches, accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management. Franki has worked in SEND provision as a teacher, manager and leader and has a specialist interest in working with young autistic people and those with profound and complex needs. She has an M.Ed. in Severe, Profound and Complex Needs from the University of Birmingham.
Kathryn coaches course participants. She is a qualified coach and mentor from the Institute of Leadership and Management, a Thinking Environment practitioner and has an MA in Education Management. Kathryn has a broad range of experience in post-16 education as a leader, manager and governor, particularly in student support, equity, diversity and inclusion, mental health and wellbeing, safeguarding and Information, Advice and Guidance. She works with individuals and organisation to promote inclusive leadership so that everyone is enabled to work to their full potential and is accountable and committed to equity and inclusion.