Leading Inclusion in a Secondary School

Mark Allen is the Principal of Trinity Academy St Edward's, part of the Trinity Multi Academy Trust. He has over ten years' experience as a senior leader with a wealth of experience leading inclusion, safeguarding, HR and system leadership in secondary settings.

• Introduction 1. Developing an Ethos 2. Leadership – Leading the line 3. SEND and supporting your SENDCO 4. Systems, systems, systems: Developing, embedding and measuring 5. Safeguarding 6. Attendance 7. Pupil Premium 8. Alternative Provision 9. The children 10. OFSTED Glossary of Terms

‘Leadership is the key to success in any high performing organisation. It doesn’t matter how good the people are on the ground, if the organisation does not possess strong leadership to navigate their way through the dynamic landscape in which they sit, then their efforts will be wasted. In this book, Mark Allen unpacks his years of experience as a senior leader and gives you his thoughts on how you can effectively lead on inclusion across the school. His examples of systems and strategies that he has used, together with regular think and pause points in the book should not only allow you to reflect on how you lead, but also add to your toolbox of systems and strategies.’Jon Tait, Trust Deputy CEO, Author of ‘Succeeding as a Head of Year’, ‘Teaching Rebooted’ and ‘100 ideas Engaging Learners’‘I was drawn into this book from the outset. The strength of Leading Inclusion in a Secondary School is found through, not only Mark's insightful knowledge, but also through it's thought provoking and inspirational text which is so pertinent and is an essential read for all leaders of inclusion in a secondary school.The pragmatic, sensible and knowledgeable words from Mark are a running theme throughout the book. The use of scenarios and questions throughout the chapters kept me engrossed and really made me pause and think about my own practices, an overall outstanding resource which will improve inclusion leadership.’Louise Crowder, Assistant Headteacher – Inclusion, Tibshelf Community School‘There are many books around about managing behaviour and this is another one. However, what you need to understand is that this is written by someone who actually does this every day and has done for many years. Mark Allen gives you an insight into his world and allows you to draw on his years of experience, knowledge and skills. This book will guide you through the professional life of a senior pastoral leader with real life challenges and scenarios to test you. It will make you reflect on your own practice with tips and advice for you and your school. Use some of it, or all of it – either way you will benefit, and so will the lives of the children you serve.’Dave Whitaker, Director of Learning – Wellspring Academy Trust, Author and member of the Heads Roundtable‘Leading Inclusion in a Secondary School gives an invaluable insight into many of the issues and situations a leader – or aspiring leader – of inclusion might come across during the course of the working day. It is both a powerful insight into inclusion in secondary schools and into the mind, ethos and motivation of the author. I have known Mark for over 7 years and the reason the book is such a powerful resource is because it is precisely how Mark operates and expects all who work with him – 100% child focused. An essential read for all aspiring and inclusion leads and ought to be on the reading list for any aspiring secondary school teacher.'Nigel Leeder, Director – Leeder Safeguarding