SEN Leader Magazine

Rosie Eachus has been a qualified speech and language therapist for 26 years. She has run storytelling groups in mainstream primary schools and is currently working at a senior school supporting pupils with dyslexia, dyspraxia and mild ASD.

Dr Suzanne O’Connell is a freelance writer specialising in education. Prior to this she taught for 23 years and was a headteacher of a junior school in Nuneaton for 11 years. Suzanne can be contacted on suzanne.oconnell50@icloud.com.

Matt Bromley is an education journalist and author with over eighteen years’ experience in teaching and leadership. He also works as a consultant, speaker, and trainer.  He is the author of numerous best-selling books for teachers including ‘How to Become a School Leader’, ‘Making Key Stage 3 Count’ and ‘Teach’. You can read more advice like that contained in this article in his latest book, ‘The New Teacher Survival Kit’, which is available in paperback and various ebook formats. You can find out more about Matt at www.bromleyeducation.co.uk and follow him on Twitter @mj_bromley

Tania Tirraoro is a journalist and parent of two young adults with autism. Tania is also autistic. She is the founder of www.specialneedsjungle.com, a parent-led website that offers information and resources about special needs and disabilities in children and young people. Tania is also on the Ofsted SEND Stakeholder Advisory Group.

Sam Garner is an education consultant with specialist expertise in SEN and mental health in schools. She is a freelance trainer, and regularly speaks in schools to parents, staff and students (www.samanthagarner.co.uk). She has also written a series of brief targeted CBT programmes designed to be run by school staff with students, including Exam Anxiety and Self Harming (http://www.cbt4schools.co.uk).

Natalie Packer is an independent education consultant specialising in SEN and school improvement. She has had experience as a teacher, SENCo, headteacher and SEN adviser. She is the author of The Perfect SENCo and The Teacher’s Guide to SEN. You can contact her on Twitter @NataliePacker or via her website: www.nataliepacker.co.uk.

Emma Meadus is headteacher of Coppice Valley Primary School and a member of the Red Kite Learning Trust.

Kenny Wheeler was a secondary SENCo and senior leader for over a decade, achieving and maintaining a judgement of outstanding for SEND. Kenny then worked closely to support SENCos across an LA to facilitate improvements in SEND provision. He has also been an SEN governor for a MAT. Kenny now works as a consultant for SEND, Inclusion and Leadership. You can contact him on Twitter @KennyInclusion.

John Viner has taught in both primary and secondary schools, with a long history of successful primary school leadership. He is now a full-time writer, inspector and adviser.