Our People

Angela – Our Founder

Angela is our founder and Senior Education Partner. She lives and breathes SEND, launching SEND Education Partners (formerly YCPD) in 2021, following a 24-year career in schools. She has worked in a range of contrasting settings – large and small, inner-city and rural – serving diverse communities and needs. A former Leading SENDCo, Deputy Headteacher & Headteacher, Angela held leadership positions for the majority of her career in schools.

Alongside her work with SEND Education Partners, Angela is currently the Director of SEND Improvement for the Collaborative Learning Trust.

She is passionate about inclusion, championing diversity & SEND-compatible pedagogy within the mainstream system. She was formerly a senior advisor on SEND strategy for Pinc College – a specialist provision for 16-25 yr old students – and sat as Chair on the Governing Body for that organisation. Angela is the SEND governor for a two-form entry Primary School in Bradford.

“The quality of staff in our schools is the most important determinant of how much children succeed. Education is a vocation. I challenge educators to think differently, take risks & strive for excellence in SEND provision.”

Sue – Independent SEND Associate

Sue is an experienced SENDCo and English teacher, with post graduate qualifications in outstanding teaching and SpLD (Dyslexia). With over 25 years’ experience in educational settings – ranging from the primary phase to Post 16 – Sue has specialised in SEND for the whole of her career in education. She has worked as a class teacher in both mainstream and specialist settings, was a SENDCo for 8 years, an Assistant Head for 4 years and worked as an LA Specialist Teacher (SpLD/SEMH) for 2 years.

Sue has been a freelance education consultant for several years, and is passionate about helping children and young people to overcome barriers to achieve their full potential. She is currently working with a Specialist SEND College to co-ordinate their EHCP application/review/implementation cycle, liaising with parents, students, LAs and other stakeholders & professionals as required by the EHCP process. During the 2023-24 academic year, Sue was our SEND Education Partner & Interim SENDCo at Bramhope CE Primary School.

Sue is one of the directors for Outdoors for All Together – a CIC which advocates enjoyment of the outdoors for all ages and backgrounds – and is a trustee for her local church.

Karen – Independent SEND Associate

Now a SEND consultant and SpLD Specialist and Assessor, Karen is a former Leading SENDCo for Crewe and an experienced class teacher, with additional experience working in the post-16 phase.

During the 2023-24 academic year, Karen worked in a number of different schools for us, delivering formal dyslexia assessments in addition to specific support with SpLD.

Karen is the current SEND Lead for Pinc College.

Sophie – Independent SEND Associate

Sophie is an experienced Teacher and Senior Leader with a Master’s degree in education specialising in delivering inclusive education to all. Sophie has worked as SENDCO and EHCP Coordinator, as well as being Quality and Curriculum Development lead responsible for staff development with over 5 years’ managerial experience.

She is the SEND & Literacy link governor for Walkeringham Primary School in Nottinghamshire. She is also an Independent Accessibility Panel Member for Gatwick Airport, supporting the company with accessibility provision and services, including setting new service standards and reviewing the airport’s performance against them.

During the 2023-24 academic year, Sophie was our SEND Education Partner at Trinity All Saints, Bingley. Her key responsibilities were to mentor the Assistant Head Teacher as they transitioned to the role of SENDCo, giving strategic support & guidance to the SEND team with specific reference to evaluating and developing systems, processes, policy, procedure & appropriate stakeholder engagement.

Caroline – Independent Oracy & Engagement Associate

Caroline has over 30 years’ experience teaching children right across the primary phase and has been English and Maths lead in multiple settings. She has an excellent reputation for helping children to be motivated lovers of learning, and for developing strong relationships with parents. Her work focuses on developing trust and self-belief and has kindness, knowledge and fun at its heart.

Specialising in parental engagement, Caroline offers a range of short courses in friendly, informal settings to help parents understand the methods that their children are being taught in school in Reading, Writing and Maths.

Caroline also works with schools to develop their approach to parental engagement – helping schools to ensure they are making the best use of this valuable resource to create the best possible impact for pupils. She is an expert in building parental confidence in supporting their children with their learning, leading to improved outcomes for children.

David – Business Manager

David looks after the nuts and bolts so that everyone else can focus on the work on the ground!

He has a varied background in theatre-in-education, broadcasting & the creative and events sector.

David is Chair of Governors of a single-form entry primary school in North Yorkshire.