Our judging panel
Each category is judged by our judging panel of hand-picked professionals who all have a wealth of experience working across the educational industry.
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Nominations are open!
Join us this year celebrating and submit a nomination today but hurry, nominations close on the 23rd May 2025!
Between 2010 and 2024, André held the position of DfE SEN and Disability Professional Adviser. He provided professional advice to ministers and DfE policy leads across the department on all matters relating to identification, support, and improving outcomes for children and young people with SEN and disability. He worked closely with local authorities, parent carer groups, voluntary sector, health, and schools and colleges to achieve policy goals. In 2022, he was awarded an OBE for services to children and young people. Prior to this position, André held a range of SEND leadership and professional posts in the National Strategies and local government, and has been an educational psychologist and a primary and secondary school teacher. André is now working on a number of individual SEND projects, and is the independent chair of a local authority SEND Partnership Board.
André Imich
André Skepple is a leading EdTech and HealthTech innovator dedicated to enhancing opportunities for neurodivergent learners using advanced technology. With a background in bioscience and a shift to tech entrepreneurship, he developed the first Agentic AI support intelligence platform through his company FullSpektrum®. This platform personalizes educational, health, and social care plans, addressing challenges faced by institutions and healthcare providers, particularly for autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. Under André's leadership, FullSpektrum® secured innovation grants and partnerships with Innovate UK, local authorities, and the NHS, aiming to revolutionize support frameworks across Europe.
André Skepple
| Graham was previously the Chief Executive Officer of the New Bridge MAT and Group. The Trust supported around 2000 children and young people in 8 schools and the group worked with around 200 young adults. He has over 30 years experience of working with children and young people with additional needs. Graham was also the National SEND ambassador for the schools, students and teachers network (SSAT). The network represented the views of 350 special schools across the country. He was also chair of Special School’s Voice (SSV) a group that worked directly with key national policy makers. It was within that role that he worked on a regular basis with The DFE, The RSDs, Ofsted and many other governmental departments. He advocated for young people with disabilities on the 2012 Olympic group. He was a past member of the National Head teachers’ steering group. Since retiring from his CEO role he continues to work as a School Improvement Partner for schools in a number of local authorities. He also remains as a member of the National SEND reference group. He is a National Leader of Education and was awarded an OBE for services for children and young people with special educational needs in the 2023 King’s Awards. He regularly speaks at conferences and has written many articles for various publications and books. Outside of work he loves theatre, travel, running and watching his local football team, Bury FC. |
Graham Quinn OBE
J Grange is an entrepreneur, internationally recognised public speaker and neurodiversity advocate. J has both ADHD and Dyspraxia. He has collaborated with companies such as United Nations, McCains, Trustpilot and Metro Bank and has featured on Channel 5, BBC News and France Televisions. He has also been an ambassador for organisations like Princes Trust and UK Youth. J has spoken for the United Nations and UNESCO, and at the Bournemouth International Centre to over 1,000 people. In June 2022, J featured on 300+ digital billboards across the UK to celebrate being neurodivergent. He released "We Will Rise" with the London Community Gospel Choir as the anthem for the Neurodiversity Umbrella Project.
J Grange
Jon is an experienced educational consultant, ILM Level 7 executive coach, and SENDCo mentor. He has conducted hundreds of SEND reviews across secondary, primary, middle, first, and special schools. Notably, Jon co-authored the SEND Review for the States of Guernsey and Alderney and was the lead for secondary and special schools in the Inclusion Review for the State of Jersey. His work has been published in nasen Connect, SecEd, and Primary Headteacher magazines and is currently working with others on a book about the role of SENDCos in schools.
Jon Gibson
Lois is a Senior Lecturer in Education at Stranmillis University College, Belfast, Northern Ireland, with a 25-year teaching career in Post Primary and Further Education. She is a Quality Assurance mentor and the Coordinator of Classroom Assistant qualifications in FE. Lois teaches BEd (Primary and Post Primary Education Studies) with a focus on Special Educational Needs and coordinates the CPD SEN FIRST course. As a DE School Governor at Mitchell House Special School in Belfast and a NI Advisory Board member of nasen, her research interests include the history of Special Education in NI and parental experiences of accessing SEN support in Northen Ireland.
Lois Totton
Malcolm Reeve is an independent SEND consultant and National SEND Leader with Whole School SEND. Malcolm was designated a National Leader of Education in 2012 and is a Member of the National SEND Forum. He was formerly Chief Executive of Columbus School and College and Executive Director for SEND & Inclusion at Academies Enterprise Trust (AET). He is Patron of the Centre Algarve holiday centre for people with special needs.
Malcolm Reeve
Myles has been a special schools teacher for 28 years, an ICT SEN Advisor for 10 years and currently runs his own business as an Assistive Technologist working in the education and workplace sector. He is council member of the British Assistive Technology Association. He is also an AT training for Neurobox and an SEN ICT Consultant to Tablet Academy and Wyvern Business Systems. Myles is also an International Speaker for the ABLE Summit for the American University of Beirut and A11y Accessibility Camp in North Idaho. He is also the co-writer for the nasen mini-guide on Assistive Technology and the producer of “The Power of Assistive Technology” film series commissioned by the British Assistive Technology Association. Myles is proud to be a nasen judge and sees it as one of the highlights of the year.
Myles Pilling
Samantha Baines is a multi award-winning comedian, actress, broadcaster and best selling author. She presents for The One Show, BBC Morning Live, BBC Radio London and hosts the smash hit podcast The Divorce Social. As a hearing aid wearer herself, she is ambassador for the Royal National Institute for Deaf People and the author of critically acclaimed children's books with deaf main characters, as well as the best-selling non-fiction book Living With Hearing Loss and Deafness. You may recognise her from acting roles in Netflix’s The Crown, Romesh Ranganathan's Avoidance, Call the Midwife, Silent Witness and Magic Mike Live (directed by Channing Tatum). She is a BAFTA member, NSPCC Campaigner and a regular on national radio stations.
Samantha Baines
Dr Sandeep Bodhanker is the Director of Learning at a school in Birmingham, where he serves as the strategic lead for Primary Education, overseeing the curriculum and Quality Assurance for Teaching and Learning. An Ofsted-trained professional, he ensures the highest standards in education while supporting the development of the school's middle and subject leaders. Furthermore, he mentors Early Career Teachers, guiding them through the early stages of their professional journey and helping them to refine effective teaching practices. Previously, Dr Bodhanker completed four solo world tours, using art, meditation, and yoga to promote peace. He has lectured and conducted demonstrations at 32 universities across the globe and has been awarded five honorary doctorates, in addition to his PhD in Dance Therapy. His research offers unique insights into the connections between spiritual, physical, and mental wellbeing. As a Cultural Ambassador and member of UNESCO’s International Dance Council, Dr Bodhanker collaborated with 35 cultural ministries to foster partnerships between nations through the arts. He continues to prioritise cultural capital in under-resourced communities, inspiring a passion for learning, promoting cultural understanding, and supporting holistic development.
Dr Sandeep Bodhanker
National Lead for Children & Families, Head of Family Services Seashell Trust, Co-Chair Parents & Carers Together Stockport. Sherann was previously NNPCF Co-Chair & NW rep significantly involved in the Children and Families Act 2014 and relevant legislation. Sherann is a Keynote speaker, trainer and consultant in co-production and family support. As a parent carer herself to 3 children with disabilities she has many years expertise by experience as well as working with Families for nearly 30 years. Sherann is a strong national advocate of ensuring families are at the heart of all services and legislation. Constantly role modelling and championing coproduction of children, young people and parent carers in the design, development, review, and delivery of service
Sherann Hillman MBE
Tristan is Senior Lecturer in Inclusive Education at the University of Gloucestershire and Academic Course Leader of the MA Education. He is Editor of the International Journal of Nurture in Education and reviewer for Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties Journal, British Educational Research Journal, Educational Futures Journal, Journal of Research in SEN, and the British Journal of Special Education. He is Chair of Directors of Leading Learning for SEND Community Interest Company (LLSENDCiC). He is author of a number of academic journal articles, book chapters and books, in the field of SEND, resilience and inclusion. He co-authored the SENCo Induction Pack and the NASEN Inclusion mini-guide. He is currently writing for and editing a new publication in the Nasen Spotlight/ Routledge series, "The SEN Practitioner: Status, skills and support", to be published in early 2026.
