South East
The role of WSS is to support school in prioritising SEN. The expertise lies within the system and by sharing best practice, working with others and building on existing strengths, we want to unlock the knowledge for the benefit of all children and their families. We want to ensure that children and young people, along with their parents/carers, are at the centre of any provision.
In the South East, we want to work in partnership with all stakeholders to ensure that SEND is seen as part of the wider school improvement agenda and not an add on. We would like to invite all leaders and practitioners to get in contact and work with us to develop a collaborative, meaningful and strong community of practice that directly impacts the outcomes for children and young people with SEND across our region.
Local authorities in this region
- Bracknell Forest
- Brighton and Hove
- Buckinghamshire
- East Sussex
- Hampshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Medway
- Milton Keynes
- Oxfordshire
- Portsmouth
- Reading
- Slough
- Southampton
- Surrey
- West Berkshire
- West Sussex
- Windsor and Maidenhead
- Wokingham
Meet your Regional SEND Leads
Regional SEND Lead
Katherine is the Director of Inclusion for River Learning Trust and Project Director for the Education Endowment Fund’s Whole School SEND Review Trial. She was a Lead Author on Teacher Handbook: SEND.
Katherine is an experienced teacher and school leader, with fifteen years experience teaching in both primary and secondary schools as a class teacher, Qualified Teacher of the Deaf and Autism Resource Base Teacher. She is also an experienced SENCO; she has led SEND provision in primary and secondary schools in England and America. Over the past ten years, Katherine has developed particular expertise in working with leadership teams to develop school-wide systems, establishing shared and inclusive visions for the education of children and young people with SEND.
Katherine Walsh
Deputy Regional SEND Lead
Until July 2023, Tina was the Head of an Outstanding all age special school for children and young people with severe and profound learning difficulties including those with an additional diagnosis of autism. Tina held this post for over 30 years, during which time the school expanded its roll by 90%.
Tina trained at Birmingham University and holds a Master’s Degree in Childhood Autism, and has spent all of her career working within the special education field. Tina was a National Leader of Education until her retirement from Headship. Tina continues to work as a member of the South East Regional SEND team for Whole School SEND (nasen). Aside from Special Educational Needs, Tina's particular interests are school improvement including ethical leadership and leadership development at all levels including governance. Tina firmly believes in the power of coaching as a supportive professional development tool for colleagues.
Tina Harvey OBE
Deputy Regional SEND Lead
Timothy is Director of Inclusion at The White Horse Federation, working across primary, secondary and special schools. He has extensive experience across mainstream, specialist, alternative provision and inclusion bases, and has worked as both a SENCO and senior leader, leading inclusion at school and trust level. Timothy leads SENCO networks across his trust and works closely with leaders for behaviour, attendance and alternative provision to strengthen whole‑school inclusive practice. He has experience of designing and implementing trust‑wide SEND frameworks, specialist CPD programmes and graduated approaches that support early identification and reduce exclusion. This work has contributed to The White Horse Federation being recognised as TES Inclusive Trust of the Year. Timothy has a strong knowledge of SEND practice, policy and SEND law, including EHCP processes and complex casework. Alongside his role with TWHF, he works with schools, trusts and local authorities to support sustainable inclusive practice, strengthen SEND provision and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
