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17th March 2026
Speakers
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Sir Martyn Oliver
His Majesty's Chief Inspector
Sir Martyn Oliver started as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector at the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills in January 2024. He has worked in education since 1995 starting as a teacher and joined Outward Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) in 2009 where he became Principal of Outwood Grange Academy and then a National Leader of Education (NLE). In 2016, Sir Martyn was appointed Chief Executive and Accounting Officer for OGAT, a role he held until he started as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector. Sir Martyn has also previously held Trustee positions for the Office for Students (OfS), Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), Confederation of Schools Trusts (CST) and for the David Ross Education Trust (DRET), was a board member of the Department for Education’s (DfE) Opportunity North East and has advised both the government and the DfE on a number of groups.
Ginny Bootman
SENDCo, Advocate and Author. Associate of Independent Thinking
Ginny is an educator with over 25 years in education as a classroom practitioner, SENDCO and Headteacher. She is passionate about the impact of relationships within education, particularly for those working with children with additional needs, and is determined to improve understanding of the pivotal role that these relationships play within the school environment. Ginny is the author of ' Independent Thinking on Being a SENDCO'.
Ginny is an Associate of Independent Thinking.
Mark Vickers
CEO, Olive Academies Trust and Chair of the MAT CEO National Network for AP and SEND
Mark’s work in education is rooted in his belief that schools have the potential to break historic cycles of social disadvantage and to prevent the marginalisation of vulnerable young people. Mark has been a headteacher of a secondary school, an Ofsted inspector, a school leadership consultant and was a founding trustee of the PSHE Association. He continues to support numerous mainstream schools, PRUs and alternative providers across the country, offering strategic advice to help them secure rapid and sustained improvement.
Mark is Chair of The National MAT CEO Network for Alternative Provision and SEND. He is also one of the founding members of the Suffolk CEO Network. Both these forums were established with Mark’s support to help the sharing of ideas, innovations and best practice. Mark’s determined approach to improving alternative provision for vulnerable young people in England is linked to this partnership work – successfully bringing together alternative provision with mainstream schools and engaging local authority, DfE and voluntary sector leaders to improve the life chances of some of the most vulnerable children in our country’s education system.
In 2021 Mark was awarded an MBE in The Queen’s New Year Honours List for his services to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Heba Al-Jayoosi
Assistant Head and Deputy Regional Lead
nasen Whole School SEND
Heba Al-Jayoosi is the Assistant Headteacher and Inclusion Leader at Mayflower Primary School in East London, and has been seconded as a deputy regional lead at Whole School SEND, a consortium hosted by the National Association for Special Educational Needs. She is a Churchill fellow and a recipient of several grants for projects that are aimed to foster the meaningful inclusion of pupils with special educational needs in schools. Heba is undertaking her PhD at the UCL Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), and is exploring ways in which to improve home school collaboration for caregivers of autistic pupils from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Stephen Steinhaus
CEO, Solihull Alternative Provision Multi-Academy Trust
After completing his degree in The Teaching of English and career as an American Football player at The University of Illinois (USA), Stephen Steinhaus turned down a professional wrestling contract to move as a Fulbright Scholar to the United Kingdom to study for an MPhil in Shakespeare Studies and English Literature at the University of Birmingham and The Shakespeare Institute. Steinhaus has now lived in England for 25 years, and, in April 2018 he opened Solihull Academy (an Alternative Provision Free School for students in danger of Permanent Exclusion). The Academy converted to a Multi-Academy Trust in September 2022 and is continuing to expand across the West Midlands, with sites now in Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire.
Additionally, Stephen sits on the Secondary Council for NAHT and is co-Regional Lead for The West Midlands for PRUsAP. Steinhaus speaks at a growing number of conferences about, among other things, Alternative Provision, Inclusion, Attendance, SEND and Commissioning. In his spare time, he is singer and songwriter, music director and presenter of a number of festivals, a founding trustee/director of The Institute for Recovery from Childhood Trauma, and a published poet. He has blogged on a variety of educational, fitness and musical topics.
Kristina Yates
Independent Education Consultant
Krissy Yates (NPQEL) is an accomplished leader with extensive experience in the MAT sector, specialising in inclusion, leadership, SEND, and safeguarding. Over the past eight years, Krissy has held various senior roles at Turner Schools, a multi-academy trust serving a highly disadvantaged cohort in coastal Kent. As the founding Principal of Turner Free School and later the Executive Principal for the trust’s secondary schools, Krissy made a lasting impact before transitioning to the role of Director of Inclusion in 2022. In her capacity as Director of Inclusion, Krissy led the development of SEND services, ensured the quality of provision across the trust’s Specialist Resource Provisions, and managed key areas such as attendance, behaviour, safeguarding, and mental health. Under her leadership, several schools within the trust were recognized for excellence in inclusion by Ofsted, the IQM award, and the youHQ awards. With a strong background in school improvement, Krissy has driven strategic initiatives in Leadership Development and Community and Stakeholder Engagement on a large scale. She serves as a Visiting Fellow for the Ambition Institute, where she facilitates the NPQH programme, and has spoken at ResearchEd conferences on leadership. Recently, Krissy contributed a chapter to Beyond Boundaries, by David Bartram and Natalie Packer, where she explored the transformative power of community engagement in supporting children with SEND and their families. In addition, Krissy is an Inclusion Champion for Kent County Council, assisting with the transformation efforts across the largest local authority in England. A passionate advocate for education’s potential to change the lives of students with SEND, Krissy has recently launched her own educational consultancy. Through this venture, she aims to help schools and businesses improve provisions for vulnerable children and young people, championing genuine inclusion and its power to shape a better future.
Ryan Kendall
Primary Curriculum Lead & Tutor, Ark Teacher Training
I am the Primary Curriculum Lead and Tutor at Ark Teacher Training responsible for the design and facilitation of the curriculum and assessment for our trainee teachers. Before joining Ark in January 2018, I was the principal of a primary academy in north-east Essex, where I had previously been the Lead Practitioner for Teaching and Learning. I have also worked in an international school for three years and prior to that, I was an Advanced Skills Teacher in Essex. Since ATT has partnered with a network that includes special schools, I have tutored three trainee teachers working in one of the provisions where pupils have profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Sophie Moss
Headteacher, River Tees Primary Academy
I am currently the Head Teacher of River Tees Primary Academy which is an alternate provision school in Middlesbrough. We support students who have been excluded, at risk of exclusion or students with a varying level of SEND needs to access education. We support students from Year 3 - 6 and are a short term provision in most cases. Our students have a range of SEND needs and a high majority have EHCP's or are on the pathway. We aim to transition students back into their mainstream provision or suitable specialist provision. Before this role I worked in other alternate provisions and pupil referral centres as I have a passion for SEND and SEMH.
Charlotte Millea
Deputy Headteacher, Co-op Academy Delius
I have worked in a variety of roles since the academy opened in 2010. Prior to joining Delius, I worked at special school for pupils aged 2-19 school and was based the EYFS class. However, I also taught drama to the 6th form students. Since 2020, I have led the wider school team to collaboratively develop a bespoke and challenging curriculum to meet the needs of all of our pupils. My particular curriculum interest is supporting pupils who have profound and multiple learning disabilities. I live in Leeds with my husband and two little boys.
Jacob Lawton
Strategic Lead, Positive Regard
Speaker, Leading National Consultant, Advisor, Behaviour Specialist, Trauma and Attachment Lead, Mindfulness Instructor, Forest Schools Leader, Team Teach Advanced, Instructor. NPQLBC, SLE, Theraplay Level 1 & Group trained.
Jacob started out his career in a mainstream primary in a deprived area of Barnsley before joining Wellspring’s very first SEMH school. He takes his 10 years experience working within the special and alternative sector, supporting pupils seen as the most challenging and uses this to support the development of Positive Regard Specialists and the design and delivery of Positive Regard programmes.
Jacob has a strategic responsibility within Wellspring supporting school leaders with root to branch behaviour support including policy design and inclusion planning.
Jacob’s role within Positive Regard keeps him connected in the same capacity with external schools as and when they need it. He offers on the ground support in classrooms all the way through to strategic leadership.
Maria Unitt
Deputy Head at Alderman's Green Primary School
Maria is the Deputy Head at Alderman's Green Primary School, part of Triumph Learning Trust. Previously a primary school class teacher and SENCo, Maria now holds responsibility for Inclusion and for an Enhanced Resource Provision.
Aimee Bedford
Behaviour and SEMH Trust Lead, Ethos Academy Trust
Aimee is the Behaviour and SEMH Lead and is part of the school improvement team at Ethos Academy Trust. Aimee has worked in education for the last 20 years, 14 of those as Senior Assistant Vice Principal at Bradford Academy in a full-time teaching capacity, and, with the latter few years, supporting staff, pupils and their families across Kirklees, Wakefield and Rotherham. As a fellow SEND parent, Aimee understands the challenges that many families are facing in the current climate. She is passionate about all pupils having the education they deserve and knows that strong relational practices are essential when engaging hard-to-reach pupils in schools. Relational practice fosters trust, empathy, and a supportive environment that can significantly enhance a child's learning and personal development.
Louisa McGivney
Specialist Teacher and Consultant
Coventry SEND Support:
Complex Communication Team
I am a specialist advisor, teacher and consultant in complex communication needs and Autism, providing highly specialist support and guidance to schools, parents, services, key agencies and young people, to ensure neuro-diverse learners are given the opportunity to access an effective and successful education, raising awareness of Autism as a spectrum condition; advising on, and modelling a range of differentiated accessible learning, communication, emotional and behavioural styles, appropriate teaching approaches, and relevant strategies. I am a relentlessly positive and passionate advocate for young people with Autism and aspire to contribute to creating a worthwhile and aspirational place in society for the young people I am privileged to work with; where they are accepted for their exceptional strengths and valuable contributions, as well as the wonderful insight they give, into the unique world of Autism.
Frances Akinde
SENCO, Former Headteacher, Local Authority SEND Inspector and Author
Frances Akinde, a qualified SENCO and former headteacher of a Secondary Special School for learners with Autism, has over 20 years’ experience across primary, secondary, special/alternative provision, and local authority roles. She now works part-time as a SEND inspector and advisor while managing her consultancy service. After discovering her neurodivergence and hearing impairment in 2022, Frances left headship to focus on promoting inclusion through training and support. In 2023, she co-launched the BAMEed SEND Hub to address racial inequities in education and serves as an Anti-Racist Schools coach with Leeds Beckett University. Drawing on her professional expertise and lived experiences, Frances speaks and writes about intersectionality, Race, and SEND. She also mentors educators and supports workplaces as an Assistive Technology Trainer. Her book, Be An Ally, Not a Bystander, was released in October 2024, with her second book, Intersectionality, Race & SEND: Conversations for Advocacy and Change, due in late 2025.
Nathan Burns
Teacher Educator, known for his expertise as Mr Metacognition
Nathan Burns is a renowned teacher educator, working with schools, education organisations and educators across the world to develop high-quality teaching practice. Working in a number of UK based schools, Nathan worked as a pastoral leader, More Able coordinator, metacognition lead, and lately, as a Head of Maths. During his time in the classroom, Nathan wrote two well received books on metacognition - Inspiring Deep Learning and Teaching Hacks - exploring how the theory can be effectively applied in the classroom. Since leaving the classroom, Nathan now leads high-quality professional development. He works with schools across the UK to deliver training on metacognition, alongside efforts with Teach First and Ambition Institute to train up the next generation of teachers. Nathan also leads Maths specific training for organisations including the Maths Hub. You will often find Nathan presenting research at the latest teaching conference, as well as online, posting on socials as Mr Metacognition.
Cynthia Gouveia Caria
Outreach Consultant, Beyond Autism
Cynthia is a Psychology graduate from Brunel University London currently finishing off her MSc in Applied Behavioural Analysis. She has been working in the field for 4 years, starting in 2018, where she worked as a project assistant, supporting with early intervention programmes for young people at risk of exclusion or placement breakdown. After graduating in 2019, Cynthia undertook a graduate PBS practitioner role for a learning disability and mental health organisation, facilitating with PBSP’s and interventions as part of a multidisciplinary team. In 2022, she started working as a behavioural therapist for autistic people and those who have a learning disability. Here she supported with independent living and skill acquisition. Between 2022-2023, Cynthia was the safeguarding champion for a few of the residential services, delivering training and the upkeep of competencies. She also worked on AFLS projects and won an APT-RAID first place award with her team for excellent work supporting individuals with behaviours that challenge. The move to Outreach and Consultancy will support her growth in achieving a BCBA accreditation, supported by experts in the field and continuing to create positive change for young individuals.
Cath Kitchen OBE
Chair of the National Association for Hospital Education
Cath is an experienced leader in AP for pupils with medical needs, working with the DfE. She Chairs the National Association for Hospital Education, provides school improvement advice and was a pathfinder for the Ethical Leadership Framework. Cath has co-authored booklets for schools, including one published by NASEN, and has her first book in production. She was awarded an OBE for services to children and young people.
Shazad Ali
Lead for Alternative Provision, Co-op Academy Grange
Shazad Ali is a dedicated education professional with a proven track record in establishing and managing alternative provisions (AP) within schools. Over the past four years, he has successfully set up three internal APs across two schools, demonstrating his expertise in creating supportive environments tailored to students’ individual needs. Driven by a passion for empowering young people, Shazad focuses on helping students transition back into mainstream education. His innovative approaches and unwavering commitment to student development have made a lasting impact on the schools and communities he serves.
Sarah Baker
CEO, TEAM Education Trust
Sarah is the founder and CEO of TEAM Education Trust. She has successfully supported the growth of the Trust which still holds true to the founding statement – Together Everyone Achieves More, TEAM.
Sarah has experience of working for a large Multi Academy Trust operating across 30+ schools across the East Midlands where she held Trust responsibility for Inclusion.
Sarah holds the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leaders and is a qualified facilitator for coaching, specialising in educational leadership.
Sarah has experience of leading whole school and Local Authority training and development programmes at a local and regional level, with findings being reported into the DfE around SEND and Inclusion. Additionally, Sarah has lectured on the National SENDCo Award and is a facilitator for NPQs.
Sarah sits on several Executive Boards and national strategic networks, including Schools Forum representative for Derbyshire. More recently she is an Executive for the AP/SEND national network.
Amy Walters
Deputy Head, Ark Teacher Training
As Deputy Head of Ark Teacher Training, I work closely with primary and secondary schools and trusts outside the Ark network. My role is to support partner schools to implement a school-based initial teacher training programme and develop teachers for their specific context. ATT partnered with five special schools in 2022, and since then I have overseen the collaboration with in-school experts to develop a route into teaching anchored in special schools. I have been training teachers since 2013 and am passionate about teacher development at all stages. Before joining Ark Teacher Training in 202, I was an English teacher and senior leader at a secondary school with an emphasis on inclusion.
Emma Hardaker
Headteacher, Co-op Academy Delius
I am the proud Headteacher of Co-op Academy Delius a Primary Special School for pupils aged 2-11 years. I have worked in special education for over 20 years as a teacher and in a range of leadership positions. I started my career in SEND as a Nursery Nurse in a Special School and prior to that in a range of mainstream Early Years settings. Whilst I have worked with pupils across all cohorts, my teaching career has centred around teaching pupils with an Autism diagnosis.
Kate Longworth
CEO, Gaia Learning
Kate Longworth is the CEO and co-founder of Gaia Learning. She is a marketing entrepreneur across Education and Tech; having partnered with the NHS, local authorities and colleges to understand learner experiences in education. Kate’s daughter has Pathological Demand Avoidance.
Gaia Learning provides online learning & support for learners with ADHD and Autism. Gaia Learning partners with schools, families and local authorities across the UK and around the world. “The students love it and they have other kids looking over their shoulder, more want to join Gaia classes, it's fantastic"
John Walker
Solicitor and Mediator
John is a solicitor and mediator who has worked with schools since 1998. He advises on all aspects of education law from conversions through to admissions, SEN and complaints. Over the last 18 months he has seen a huge increase in parent and carer complaints in schools, the vast majority with an SEN element.
Danny Ross
School Improvement Officer, Ethos Academy Trust
Danny is School Improvement Officer at Ethos Academy Trust. Former principal for Wellspring Academy Trust, Danny has held senior leadership positions in SEMH special schools and Alternative Provisions for 16 years. Passionate about ethical leadership, Danny has supported schools to understand how embedding a values driven, relational approach can have huge benefits to some of the hardest to reach children from the most challenging backgrounds. Selected as an Apple Distinguished Educator, Danny has worked internationally with schools looking to embed technology to transform learning. An advocate of ‘camouflage learning’, Danny inspires reluctant learners with new, engaging methods that help students to become tech savvy, independent, lifelong learners who connect with and embrace the ever-changing world.
Janet Flawith
Lawyer Mediator
Janet qualified as a solicitor 30 years ago and practiced as a family lawyer with particular involvement in domestic abuse cases. She has also represented local authorities in child protection proceedings. She later retrained as a mediator, with an emphasis on family and special needs mediation. She has managed her own mediation practice for nearly 15 years. Janet also sat as a lay member in the Tribunal dealing with disability claims. Janet has an adult son with complex health and special needs who was one of the first young people to receive an EHCP.
Rebecca Grundy
Service Lead for Inclusion Support Advisory Service – Whole school inclusion, Derbyshire County Council
Rebecca is the whole school inclusion service lead as part of the Inclusion Support Advisory Service (ISAS) at Derbyshire County Council
The Conference
In Partnership
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