SEND Leadership Conference 2025

Empowering SENDCOs for Success

Date: 4th March 2025
Location: Sketchley Grange Hotel, Leicestershire

At SEND Group, we understand the unique challenges SENDCOs and Senior Leaders face in navigating the constantly evolving landscape of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). This conference is designed specifically to provide you with the latest insights, practical strategies, and essential resources that you can immediately implement in your setting.

We are bringing together experts, thought leaders, and SEND professionals to support and empower you in your mission to improve the outcomes of the pupils you work with.

Why Attend?

Gain cutting-edge knowledge on the latest developments in SEND.
Learn practical solutions to implement within your school or organisation.
Participate in interactive workshops designed to address key SEND challenges.
Network with other professionals in the field to share best practices and ideas.
Return to your school equipped with actionable strategies that will make an immediate difference.

Event Schedule

Keynote 1: Lorraine Petersen OBE
National SEND Update
Get up to speed with the latest SEND developments and policy changes that will impact your role and your school.

Keynote 2: Beccie Hawes
Adaptive Teaching for Pupils with SEN: What is it and How Do You Do It?
Discover the fundamentals of adaptive teaching and how it can foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment for pupils with SEN.

Talk: Beccie Hawes
Inside I’m Hurting: Trauma-Informed Approaches
Explore how trauma-informed practices can be applied in your school to create a safer, more supportive environment for vulnerable pupils.

Afternoon Workshops

(Each workshop will be repeated three times, allowing you to attend multiple sessions.)

Workshop 1: Fintan O’Regan
The Curious Case of ADHD and ASD
Delve into the unique challenges of supporting pupils with ADHD and ASD. Learn strategies to improve engagement, behaviour management, and learning outcomes for these students.

Workshop 2: Bridget Mather-Scott
Maths Anxiety
Addressing maths anxiety in pupils with SEN is essential for their academic success. This session will equip you with the tools to help reduce anxiety and build confidence in your students’ mathematical abilities.

Workshop 3: Louise Holmes
Developing High-Quality Practice with Teaching Assistants
Teaching assistants play a crucial role in the success of SEND provision. Learn how to develop their practice and enhance collaboration between SENDCOs and TAs for better student outcomes.

Registration Information

Early Bird Pricing: £129 per person (valid until 31st December 2024)

Standard Pricing: £189 per person (from January 2025 onwards)

Group Discounts are available, lunch and refreshments are included.

Venue Information

Sketchy Grange Hotel
Nestled in the beautiful Leicestershire countryside, Sketchy Grange Hotel offers the perfect setting for a day of learning and networking. The hotel is easily accessible by car and public transport, and ample parking is available on-site.

Meet Our Expert Speakers

Lorraine Petersen OBE

Lorraine Petersen is an expert in SEND, with over 25 years of experience supporting schools, local authorities, and parents in developing effective SEND provision. Her keynote on the National SEND Update will provide attendees with vital information on recent policy changes and their implications.

Beccie Hawes

CEO and Head of Service for Cadmus Inclusive, Beccie has worked in all aspects of Special Educational Needs including mainstream, additionally resourced provision and specialist settings. Her sessions on adaptive teaching and trauma-informed approaches are designed to provide practical strategies that SENDCOs can apply immediately to support pupils with SEN..

Fintan O’Regan

Internationally recognised for his work in ADHD and ASD education, Fintan O’Regan has supported schools globally in managing behavioural challenges and creating inclusive learning environments for neurodiverse pupils.

Bridget Mather-Scott

With a background in psychology, Bridget Mather-Scott specialises in addressing learning anxiety, particularly in mathematics. Her workshop on Maths Anxiety is designed to help SENDCOs understand the causes of anxiety and find ways to reduce its impact in the classroom.

Louise Holmes

Louise is a Speech and Language Assistant and Inclusion Consultant working for Cadmus Inclusive. As an expert in the development of teaching assistants within SEND, Louise Holmes focuses on helping schools maximise the effectiveness of their support staff. Her workshop on developing high-quality TA practice is essential for SENDCOs looking to improve collaboration and outcomes.

Conference Highlights

Focused Content for SENDCOs: This event is designed specifically for SENDCOs and Senior Leaders, with every session tailored to the unique challenges you face.
Expert-Led Workshops: Choose from workshops on ADHD, maths anxiety, and enhancing teaching assistant practice, each led by professionals with years of experience in the field.
Actionable Insights: Gain practical tools and strategies that you can take back to your school and implement right away.

Exhibit or Sponsor at the SEND Leadership Conference 2025

Showcase your products, services, or solutions to a highly engaged audience of SENDCOs, senior leaders, and professionals in the SEND sector by exhibiting or sponsoring at the SEND Leadership Conference 2025. This is a unique opportunity to connect with decision-makers and influencers who are committed to improving outcomes for students with special educational needs. By sponsoring or exhibiting, you’ll enhance your brand visibility, build meaningful relationships, and demonstrate your commitment to supporting SEND.