Our line up of speakers will bring you the latest insights, innovative strategies, and actionable takeaways for supporting SEND students in academies. Stay tuned as we announce more exciting speakers leading up to the conference.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Tom Rees
Chair of the government’s new expert advisory group on inclusion, overseeing reforms aimed at making mainstream schools more inclusive.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Adam Sproston
Adam Sproston is Senior His Majesty’s Inspector for special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), alternative provision (AP) and inclusion. He leads inspections of primary, special and independent schools. Adam also leads and quality assures area SEND inspections.
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: Fin O’Regan MA
One of the UK’s leading behaviour and learning specialists, Fin is an ADHD & Neurodiversity Consultant, international speaker, and author. With extensive experience in supporting learners with ADHD, ODD and PDA.
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: Dr Helen Ross
Helen is a former SENCO with a deep understanding of dyslexia and dyscalculia. An author and advocate for inclusive education, she collaborates to improve evidence-based teaching practices and empower educators with effective support strategies.
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: Dr Sarah Spencer
Dr. Spencer focuses on adolescent language development, literacy, and educational equity. Her work addresses how schools can better include and support students with speech, language, and communication needs through inclusive practices and co-produced interventions.
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: Katie Troake
Katie leads a specialist setting that provides high-quality education for pupils with medical and mental health needs. She is committed to creating personalised, therapeutic learning environments that balance academic challenge with emotional wellbeing, supporting pupils to achieve and re-engage with learning despite significant barriers.
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: Neville Silcock
Neville has designed and led an award-winning onsite provision for students with emotionally based school avoidance. Recognised by the DfE as a model of excellence, his work blends strong academic outcomes with high levels of pastoral support.
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: Simone Revell
A passionate advocate for SEND and quality alternative provision, Simone has 24 years experience working in both Primary and secondary mainstream and Alternative provision education, with 5 years senior leadership experience. Simone is an Advanced children’s and family Thrive Practitioner supporting both Delta AP Academies to achieve their Thrive Centre of Excellence status.
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: Lynn Hoyland
Lynn is a seasoned educator with 35 years of teaching and 15 years as a SENCO, including in Alternative Provision. She holds specialist SEN qualifications, is a Thrive practitioner, and facilitates NPQSENCO. As SENCO at The Elland Academy, she supports high-need SEND students, works closely with the Local Authority, and leads staff CPD. Respected for her expertise and collaboration, Lynn contributes to Trust-wide initiatives and shares best practice across the school.
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: Alexis Powell-Howard
Alexis is the founder and MD of Fortis Therapy, Training & Consultancy providing a range of award winning effective mental health and wellbeing services to all sectors and for all ages. Alexis is an experienced leader in a range of sectors, and a BACP-accredited and experienced psychotherapist, systemic practitioner, supervisor, trainer, mediator and coach. Alexis is passionate about therapeutic approaches and how effective they can be to help people and organisations to prevent, to move through and to recover from, difficult times.
Alexis is a twice TEDx and professional speaker and the Inspirational Leader of the Year 2024 and Fortis is the Mental Health Consultancy of the Year 2022 and won the Community Champion Award 2024. Alexis has been listed in the Top 100 of female entrepreneurs in the UK