Friends and Stakeholders
Creativity and Culture in Education (CCE)
CCE believe learning is the most exciting adventure in the world and that creativity in education ignites unlimited possibilities. We want to build wonder-filled communities where everyone can think – and be – creative. For almost two decades and in over 20 countries, CCE have been transforming education globally through nurturing creative thinking. Staff from Sunningdale School frequently collaborate with CCE via Alisha Gregg (Teacher) and Michelle Crossley (Functional Pathway Lead), James Waller (Headteacher), Charlotte Beattie (Deputy Headteacher), Frances Mihailovic (Explore Pathway Lead) and Samantha Ridley (Assistant Headteacher).
https://www.creativitycultureeducation.org/
Northern Lights Teaching School Hub
Northern Lights Teaching School Hub is the regional lead provider of training from Initial Teacher Training through to National Professional Leadership Qualifications and School to School support. Northern Lights deliver the new Early Career Framework regionally and are the Appropriate Body for new teachers, the new NPQs and professional development for teachers. The Northern Lights Teaching School Hub form part of the Northern Lights Trust. James Waller (Headteacher), Charlotte Beattie (Deputy Headteacher), Jonathan Moffatt (Deputy Headteacher) and Samantha Ridley (Assistant Headteacher) work with the Northern Lights Teaching School Hub to deliver SEND specific CPD to teachers across the region. Our own Early Career Teachers (ECTs) at Sunningdale School train with the Northern Lights Teaching School Hub.
https://northernlightstsh.co.uk/
The Department for Education
The Department for Education is responsible for children’s services and education, including early years, schools, higher and further education policy, apprenticeships and wider skills in England. James Waller (Headteacher) is a member of the DfE’s Expert Advisory Group on Early Years SEND.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education
The Council For Disabled Children’s The Special Educational Consortium (SEC)
The Special Educational Consortium (SEC) is part of the Council for Disabled Children (CDC) and is a group of organisations who protect and promote the rights of disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs. Our membership includes the voluntary and community sector, education providers and professional associations. SEC identifies areas of consensus and works with the Department for Education, members of Parliament and other decision-makers when there are proposals for changes in policy, legislation, regulations and guidance that may affect disabled children and young people and those with SEN. James Waller (Headteacher is member of the steering group of SEC and is currently the Parliamentary Vice Chair. He also represents SEC on the DfE’s School’s and Academies Funding Group (SAFG).
https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/about-us-0/networks/special-educational-consortium
Evidence for Learning
The Evidence for Learning (EfL) App is an educational software platform used by schools to capture, record, and assess a student’s learning journey, particularly for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It is designed to enhance collaboration between teachers, support staff, and families.
Evidence for Learning LearningShared refers to a collaborative Continuing Professional Learning and Development (CPLD) program and online community for educators, particularly those working with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The program is designed to connect practitioners and leaders from over 900 specialist and mainstream schools across the UK, providing a platform to share expertise, resources, and best practices. Senior leaders from the school contribute to Learning Shared’s Advisory Board. Alongside a select group of other high profile specialist and mainstream schools and trusts, Sunningdale School are partners with Evidence for Learning and support the delivery of the Learning Shared CPDL program and Evidence for Learning bootcamps. Various staff members engage with opportunities provided by the school’s partnership with EfL. Parents at Sunningdale School also use the EfL App to contribute to their child’s education remotely.
https://www.evidenceforlearning.net/
National Network Of Specialist Provision (NNSP)
NNSP was set up in 2012 originally serving as a network for all designated specialist teaching schools. Numbers very quickly grew from approximately a dozen to approaching 100 with members taking a lead for inclusive professional development across their locality and wider regions. A policy change in 2021 introducing larger Teaching School Hubs saw NNSP take on a wider remit to represent, support and advocate for specialist provision in all its many forms. NNSP enjoys positive, supportive relationships with the DfE, Ofsted and a range of national organisations and pride ourselves as being a proactive, solution focussed voice of the specialist sector. James Waller (Headteacher) is a member of the NNSP steering group. NNSP meetings are also attended by Charlotte Beattie (Deputy Headteacher), Jonathan Moffatt (Deputy Headteacher) and Natalie Headen (School Business Manager).
The National SEND Forum (NSENDF)
The National SEND Forum (NSENDF) is a regular meeting of the leading representatives of significant national organisations in the field. It is also attended by the Department for Education. The Forum is politically neutral, drawing together the providers, champions and commissioners of the services for the most vulnerable in the maintained, non-maintained and independent sectors and across the 0-25 age range. James Waller (Headteacher) attends the National SEND Forum and is a member of its steering group.
The Federation of Leaders in Special Education
FLSE is an independent body which, as a registered charity and a ‘not for profit’ organisation, provides a framework for extensive dialogue between all those providing special education services and the DfE and local authorities. It is the organisation which relates to government and policy makers and is the voice of leaders who work within the field of special education. FLSE champions the rights of the children in our care, through the established networks of like-minded practitioners that create a powerful collective voice within special education both regionally and nationally.
James Waller (Headteacher) is a national trustee of FLSE. Charlotte Beattie (Deputy Headteacher), Jonathan Moffatt (Deputy Headteacher) and Samantha Ridley (Assistant Headteacher) all contribute to FLSE regionally.
Equals
Equals, established in 1994, is a non-for-profit registered charity, committed to supporting the work of teachers of pupils with profound, multiple and severe learning difficulties. Equals is an internationally recognised body that develops professional development opportunities and innovative curricula and pedagogy to support the teaching of pupils with severe, profound and complex learning difficulties. Equals curricula is used in schools all over the world, and its membership includes approximately 600 of England’s schools designated for children with Severe Learning Difficulties. Leaders from the school support Equals through practice sharing, the delivery of online training and conference presentation.
Schools North East
Schools North East is a movement for change giving a voice to North East schools in the national education debate. School engagement and input drives everything that we do. As a grassroots education charity, we are the definitive, apolitical voice of North East schools, influencing the shape of regional and national policy to deliver on their vision for our young people. James Waller (Headteacher) contributes to SNE’s steering group.
The National Network of Special Schools (NNoSS)
The National Network of Special Schools is a dedicated community for School Business Professionals working within these settings. In 2020, the Department for Education commissioned Schools North East to set up a dedicated network, based on its own successful model, for School Business Professionals working in England’s special and hospital schools, and alternative provision settings. Natalie Headen (School Business Manager) contributes to NNSS
https://schoolsnortheast.org/national-network-of-special-schools/
Ofsted
Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. We inspect services providing education and skills for learners of all ages. We also inspect and regulate services that care for children and young people. James Waller (Headteacher) contributes to Ofsted’s North East, Yorkshire and Humber Regional Headteacher Reference Group.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted
Together for Children
Together for Children works with Sunderland City Council and partner organisations to ensure that children’s services across Sunderland are delivered by a suitably qualified and experienced workforce and deliver optimum value for money.
We provide a range of services for children and their families including:
- Early Help – providing targeted support to children, young people and families at the earliest point of identified need.
- Social Care – providing support to children in need of help and protection.
- Education – supporting schools in relation to curriculum development and school leadership as well as providing support and challenge for school improvement and effectiveness.
- Local Offer for SEND – providing support services for children and young people aged 0 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families.
www.togetherforchildren.org.uk/
