Learning from Leaders of SEND

Hilary Evans is an Independent Education Consultant and Advisor. She previously worked in both mainstream and special school leadership roles as Headteacher, SENCo, Director of School Improvement, Inspector and as LA Strategic Lead. She currently coaches school leaders across the UK, leads training in inclusion and school governance, and acts as a National Adviser in respect of SEND and inclusion. Her passion and focus is always on the opportunities provided for every child and young person whatever their starting point.Gill Robinson is a National Adviser in respect of SEND and inclusion, supporting both mainstream and specialist settings. Her School Improvement work, which spans across the country, includes working directly with teachers, leaders, pupils, parents, Trustees and Governors. Gill was previously a special school Headteacher before moving into the role of CEO of a Multi Academy Trust. Gill’s focus in her work is to enable all pupils to receive the best possible education and support.

• ForewordIntroduction and RationaleChapter 1 – ABC: Accessibility, Accountability, Adaptations, Alternative Provision, Ambition, Ambitious, Annual Review, Anxiety, Aspiration, Assumption, Attendance, Authentic, Balance, Barriers, Bear Trap, Behaviour, Boss, Boundaries, Caliber, Caretaker – Site Manager, Challenge, Change, Child, Coaching, Commitment, Communication, Complexity, Confidence, Crisis, Culture, Curriculum.Chapter 2 – DEF: Decision, Demanding, Deputy, Difficult Conversations, Dimena, Disillusion, Dissemination Diversity, Drive, Effective, EHCP, Effort, Ego, Employability, Empowerment, Encourage Enthusiasm, Equality, Ethos, Expectations, External Support, Fair, Families, Fatigue, Fear, Finance, Focus.Chapter 3 – GHI: Goals, Golden thread, Governor, Grievance, Headteacher, Health, Hero, Holiday, Honesty, Improve, Inclusion, Influence, Innovation, Integrity, Interventions, Interview, Invest, Ivory Tower.Chapter 4 – JKL: Jealously, Job Description, Journey, Judgement, Justification, Keep, Kindness, Knowledge, Leadership, Learn, Listen, Local Offer, Lonely, Lose.Chapter 5 – MNO: Mediation, Mid-day Supervisors, Mindful, Mistakes, Monitoring, Motivation, Myth, Naive, Network, Non-negotiable, Nurturing, Ofsted, Opinions, Opportunity, Outcome, Outreach, Overload.Chapter 6 – PQR: Passion, Perfection, Persistent Absence, Person centred planning, Personable, Personalisation, Positive, Prepare, Priority, Professionalism, Quality, Questioning, Quick-fix, Reasonable adjustment, Recruitment Regret, Relationships, Resilience, Retention, Review, Reward.Chapter 7 – STU: Schools Forum, Self-evaluation, SENCo, SEND Information Report, SEN Support, Sense of belonging, Skills, Small wins, Staff, Strategic, Success, Talents, Team, Tenacity, Therapy, Time, Tolerance, Top-up funding, Tough, Transition, Tribunal, Trust, Understand, Unexpected, Unique, Universal Chapter 8 – VWXYZ: Vanity, Vision, Volunteers, Vulnerable, Well-being, Wisdom, Work, Exclusion, Exit Interview, Yes, You, Zero toleranceAppendix 1 – Words of WisdomAppendix 2 – Answers and…questions

This book is a gift for new leaders. The format makes it so easy to dip into, with practical advice that feels immediately useful and grounded in real experience. It speaks honestly about the challenges but also offers hopeful, pragmatic solutions. For anyone beginning their leadership journey, whether in a special school or mainstream setting, this is an invaluable companion that will help you navigate the role with confidence, purpose and authenticity.Sharon Burt CEO Solent Academies Trust PortsmouthThis book is a must-have guide for anyone leading or working in education, especially where children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are concerned. Drawing on real-world experience, it offers clear, practical advice and checklists that cut through jargon and get straight to what works. It empowers leaders to create inclusive, ambitious, and meaningful learning experiences — while also protecting their own well-being and maintaining high standards. Whether you’re a new headteacher, a seasoned SENCo, or simply passionate about inclusion, this book will leave you better equipped, more confident, and inspired to make a lasting difference in the lives of your learners. A truly liberating and useful read.James Glennie Headteacher Wardle Academy RochdaleWe hear of problem after problem with Special Education Needs provision, at school and system level: well, here are solutions. A great many of them. Solutions that work: pragmatic, sensible, garnered from hundreds of hours of observation and dialogue. A great resource for SENCOs, experienced and aspiring, as well as the Leaders who oversee their vital contribution to creating an inclusive school community.Marius Frank Head of Education, Microlink PC (UK) LtdLearning from Leaders of SEND is an empowering guide for new SEND leaders. Rooted in authentic experiences and values, it offers practical insights and real-world wisdom that reflect the true heart of inclusive education. The A–Z structure and WOW grids make this book both accessible and inspiring, an invaluable resource for those stepping into leadership with a commitment to supporting every learner.Emma Shaw Headteacher Park Lane School MacclesfieldIn this book, the main issues faced by Headteachers in the SEND sector are covered in well-organised straightforward points. By organising these points in alphabetical order, the reader is able to readily locate specific advice linked to key areas of expertise required to fulfil the role. The do’s and don’ts provide guidance and encouragement to the reader, some of which are instructional and some reassuring.Key messages throughout the book will serve to provide support to both new and established headteachers. This includes considering your own needs, delegating, taking the long-term view, having the confidence to challenge and coping with imposter syndrome. This is an essential guide to undertaking the role and remaining grounded as a headteacher!Jude Lomas Headteacher Brentwood School and College SaleThere is no magic formula to successful leadership in SEND, but the experiences of others are invaluable when leaders are seeking guidance on the decisions that we make for our young people. Often, we question our own skill to lead and the directions that we take. ‘Learning form leaders of SEND’ provides an excellent resource to guide, and also reflect on your leadership practice in the extremely complex and delicate world of SEN leadership.Leigh Bailey-Pearce Principal of Longspee Academy BournemouthIt is a privilege and a joy to work in our sector. There are, however, many complexities and professional ‘potholes’ which leave us feeling isolated, and if we as professionals feel like that how must our families and young people with additional needs experience the world? The key is to have as much clarity as possible, and this can only come from the experience and wisdom of others. This book combines the best of experience and wisdom with the clarity of format which will allow us all to share knowledge and improve outcomes as we move forward in this ever-changing world.Claire John CEO Newbridge Trust OldhamThe authors have decades of experience in the SEND field and, as importantly, have worked alongside many other school leaders. This book compiles the knowledge of all of them. It doesn’t set out to tell you how to lead and manage, but it does give you some of the techniques and practical solutions that others have successfully utilised. As its written by school leaders, for school leaders, it has a direct relevance for leadership now. You can take out as little or as much as you require to support your individual development. There are numerous easy to understand ideas, tips and thoughts that will allow you as a leader, to further improve your school.Graham Quinn OBE Educational ConsultantThis book will give prospective school leaders valuable insights, assisting their self-awareness of the breadth and importance of their current and future roles. Learning comes through many opportunities, routes, and means. It means that future leaders will be able to approach their challenges with an open heart and mind and look back later with great satisfaction at their pathway well-travelled.Mark Dale-Emberton Principal Charlton Park AcademyThis book is both exceptional and timely. It is a significant asset for all leaders as we, together, meet the leadership challenge of our times and form a much-awaited and truly integrated experience of schooling which uplifts every learner within our collective care.Mark Moorhouse CEO of Watergrove Trust