About Kate

An experienced special school headteacher, I have over 15 years of experience in education, including 6.5 years as a leader in Alternative Provision, and 2 Headships in SEMH and Autism special schools. I hold both my NPQH and NASENCO award, and will shortly complete my MEd in SEND. I have successfully navigated whole-school culture change and led behaviour transformation in various contexts, underpinned by my belief in a relational, non-punitive approach to behaviour management.

However, by far the most important thing about me is this: Like everyone in the sector who can see there is a crisis in SEND, I want things to change. I intend to do everything I can to make things better. Better for children; Better for families; Better for schools; Better for Local Authorities.

My mission is to support schools, colleges and local authorities as they create trauma-responsive and inclusive learning environments, which foster positive relationships, high aspirations, and enable individual success for all children and young people. I advocate for a child's voice to always be heard, and I challenge any barriers or stereotypes that limit potential. I believe in the power of kindness, equity, and collaboration to transform lives and communities.

I work with children directly, with whole staff teams, with families, with individual teachers and support staff, with anyone involved in navigating a successful education placement for any SEND learner/s.

I am a strong communicator, with experience presenting at national and local conferences. I am comfortable building relationships quickly, be that engaging with anxious parents, delivering data-driven reports to stakeholders, or getting down on my hands and knees to sit and co-regulate with a dysregulated child.