AoC SEND Conference 2024

Ascentis is a leading Awarding Organisation and Access Validating Agency providing cutting edge qualifications for training, education and business in the UK and overseas. With nearly 50 years’ experience Ascentis has developed an extensive portfolio including Access to Higher Education Diplomas, Community Interpreting, Construction, Digital Skills, Employability, English & Maths Skills, ESOL, Education and Training and Short Online Qualifications (SOQs).

Website: https://www.ascentis.co.uk/

Scanning Pens is the world’s leading supplier of pen scanners. For 20 years they have promoted reading independence and confidence in those who struggle with literacy. Their pen-shaped scanners mostly have built-in screens with included earphones to discreetly support their text-to-speech functions. Those who struggle with reading difficulties, such as dyslexia, are able to develop their independent reading and learning with the support of this assistive technology.

Website: www.scanningpens.co.uk

TeacherMatic is an intuitive easy to use AI platform to support teachers. It has over 80 tools designed to support planning, content development, assessment and supporting learners. Teachermatic has been adopted by over 60% of FE colleges already and is saving an average of 3.8 hours a week in staff time.

Website: www.teachermatic.com

Natspec aims to improve outcomes for learners by upskilling all professionals who educate and train young people aged 16-25 with SEND/ALN. CPD and development opportunities on a wide range of subjects have been created specifically for staff working in the FE sector.

Natspec also delivers consultancy and quality support in a range of areas including RARPA, Governance and Assistive Technology.

Website: https://natspec.org.uk/

Sam has worked within the field of SEND for over 25 years and has 20 years of experience within a further education college. As the Assistant Principal of SEND she is accountable for all areas of SEND within Weston College, supporting over 1400 FE learners, 526 High Needs of which 326 hold an EHCP. Sam plays a pivotal role within the college senior leadership team ensuring inclusivity permeates all aspects of the college delivery. Sam is an AOC Beacon Award Assessor and is the Strategic Lead for one of the four national Centres for Excellence in SEND, enabling her to ensure best practice in SEND is shared across the sector, leading a step change in shaping inclusive practice.

Paul is a chemistry graduate and spent his early career in the police service before making the transition to further education over twenty years ago. He then went on to serve in student facing roles in colleges across the country. Over the last ten years he has served as a college principal and chief executive. Paul has research interests in the effective methods of securing employment for learners with disabilities and is a director of Natspec, a national membership organisation supporting specialist education in over one hundred colleges throughout England and Wales.

Graduating from Nottingham Trent University in 2001, Louise began a career in IT, which spanned until 2007. In 2008, a significant career shift led [Name] to further education (FE) and teaching. This new path included working in prison education across various settings until 2014. It was here that Louise's passion for Special Educational Needs (SEN) was ignited, recognizing that many learners had undiagnosed needs and lacked the educational support that might have altered their life paths.

In 2014, Louise transitioned to mainstream education, joining Brooksby Melton College as a SEN lecturer. Over time, Louise progressed to managing the Additional Learning Support (ALS) department. During the lockdown period, Louise pursued an MA in Education Leadership, with a dissertation focusing on the needs of ASD students in an FE college.

By 2020, Louise had become a curriculum manager at a specialist post-16 provision. In April 2021, Louise moved to the SMB college Group to lead the Support department and discreet provision. In February 2023, Louise was appointed Director of Learner Services, expanding their portfolio to include student services, ensuring comprehensive wraparound support for all students

Jenny, originally from Melbourne, Australia, is a dedicated Speech and Language Therapist. She earned her degree in Human Communication Science (Speech Pathology) from La Trobe University and spent five years working for the Department of Education in Australia. In 2017, Jenny moved to the UK, where she has worked with organizations like the East London Foundation Trust, Evelina and Richmond NHS Trust. Passionate about empowering children and young adults, she combines her professional expertise with a compassionate approach in her independent practice. Jenny is committed to fostering connections and making a positive impact in her community.

Fil supports organisations and individuals to deliver technology solutions which enhance life, learning and communication. He has provided training in Assistive Technology (AT) hardware and software to a wide range of professionals from schools, colleges, universities, charities, and healthcare. Fil delivers consultancy and training for Natspec TechAbility alongside managing the service and curating a sector-leading annual conference. He also liaises with government agencies and companies to progress the usage of AT. Previously employed at Beaumont College, Fil was the Lead Assistive Technologist where he managed a team which assessed and supported students to gain maximum advantage from technology.

Elaine has been working in the education sector for 25 years and as a specialist in SEND for the past 13 years, shaping and implementing inclusion.

She is particularly proud of maintaining high quality provision and support for high needs.

As a Centre for Excellence in SEND through Education Training Foundation she is particularly humbled by sector colleagues, who are access communities of practice, webinars, resources and undertaking college reviews enabling step change to improve outcomes for our learners with SEND.

Alexis is CEO at Doncaster Deaf Trust - a charity which provides education, care, training and employment opportunities to a range of children, young people and adults who are Deaf or have SEND. He has worked in specialist education for over 20 years in all phases from Early Years to Adults. He is the SEND Lead in the CEO/Principals group in the South Yorkshire Colleges Partnership and is involved in various partnerships across the South Yorkshire region and beyond. He has been instrumental in creating Aspire to Be – a service that enables employment outcomes.

Adrienne Nichols has been Head of the Unit Award Scheme (UAS) at AQA since 2011.  Before that she started her career in Export Sales and as well as travelling the globe, used her language skills with customers in all the German speaking territories.  She then trained as a primary school teacher and after a period in teaching joined the Modern Languages department at AQA in 2007.   

 Adrienne is part of a dedicated team supporting and advising educators on how to get the most out of UAS for their learners, whether that be educators who are brand new to the Scheme or those with many years of experience.