Chief Executive of Ormiston Academies Trust @ormistonacads. Chair of DfE's Expert Advisory Group for Inclusion. RHB.

Northamptonshire
Joined April 2010
Reforming the SEND system is urgent and essential and we need to work in partnership with parents and across the sector to do this well. I am pleased to have been asked to lead this group and to make a contribution to this important work.
❕ As just announced at #CSTConf24, we're getting to work on rescuing the SEND system: ✔️ A focus on inclusion in mainstream schools ✔️ A new expert panel led by @TomRees_77 ✔️ Dame Christine Lenehan brought on board We'll build a system where every child can achieve & thrive.
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Tom Rees retweeted
New post out: "SEND help" Everything you need to know about the government's special educational needs plans. Covering: the problem the govt is trying to solve; key proposals; three big issues that will cause problems; + the politics. (£/free trial) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p…
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We promised to put parents, professionals and young people at the heart of building a new SEND system. Over the last 18 month 1000's of you have helped us to do just that, sharing your experiences and expertise. As we published our SEND reform proposals today, I hope you could see how your contributions have helped shape a set of proposals that will support every child with SEND to achieve, thrive and fulfil their potential. For those who haven't yet had chance to have your say, please do get involved in our 12 week consultation as we continue to work together to build a system that supports the needs of all SEND children. You can find out more here - gov.uk/government/consultati…
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Labour sees the value and worth in every single child. The SEND reform we are setting out will see us improve support — not remove it. We want to see every child achieve and thrive. thetimes.com/article/0d3cc71…
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Ahead of the publication of the Schools White Paper and SEND reform plans, I spoke to @tes with my reflections from chairing the DfE’s expert advisory group for Inclusion, and looking ahead to the opportunities in front of us. tes.com/magazine/news/genera…
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Heading to the Isle of Wight with ⁦@TomRees_77⁩ and ⁦@ChildrensComm⁩ team - looking forward to meeting children on the Island tomorrow to hear what they want for their futures.
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Did you hear @TomRees_77 on @BBC SEND in the Spotlight podcast? Tom joined @BBCNuala, @kelliedbright and Marsha Martin to discuss mainstream inclusion, his work for the Government's EAG, Inclusion in Practice and his motivation behind the work: bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0mtg57…
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'Teaching SEND pupils in mainstream schools - what is working and what is not?': a fascinating, illuminating and candid discussion on this @BBCSounds podcast with Marsha Martin, @TomRees_77, and @KellieBrightLY: bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0mtg5…
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For too long, families have been fighting to be heard. We're changing that. We're holding the biggest national conversation on SEND in a generation – and we want to hear from you. Join the conversation 👇 consult.education.gov.uk/sen…
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I am looking for my new cohort of Youth Ambassadors, who will work with me in my final year as Commissioner & play a critical role in holding decision makers accountable to improve children's lives. Find out more & hear my current Ambassadors experiences: childrenscommissioner.gov.uk…
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It's the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. (Hint: we’re all responsible)
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Very sad to hear this news. I idolised Robin Smith and his cut shot growing up.
Everyone at the England & Wales Cricket Board is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Robin Smith. An England and Hampshire legend. Rest in peace, Judge ❤

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And obviously as a teenage boy, I envied his forearms. I once bought him a pint in the Headingley Taps after a game vs Yorkshire and found myself holding his forearms as I handed it over, for a bit too long.
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Congratulations @WrennSchool. Great to see you win this and thanks for all you’re doing for kids and families in Wellingborough (and EB!). 👏👏👏
⭐️WINNERS - SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR⭐️ We’ve only gone and done it!!! We are officially NEA’s Secondary School of the Year 2025! We are so thankful to our staff, our students and the support of our community, all of whom make us who we are everyday! #proudtobewrenn
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This week our 🔎Friday Focus🔍 turns to excellent work happening @StarAcademies to build systems, processes and provision with inclusion at the heart of them. Read all about it here: inclusioninpractice.org.uk/w…. Five point summary below >>
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I don’t like cricket…
We're building a cricket programme from scratch. We need a leader. A first for the trust sector. A game-changer for our students. I'd love to hear from you if you're interested!
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A great opening message from Morgan to start our leadership conference today.
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39 five star reviews. Anyone want to make it 40? 🤣 Beautiful Lives: How We Got Learning Disabilities So Wrong: Amazon.co.uk: Unwin, Stephen: 9781035424733: Books amazon.co.uk/Beautiful-Lives…
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