Understanding compound barriers at a systemic level for some of the most vulnerable children and families in the education system — Charlotte O’Regan

This session will explore some of the findings from two reports by the Sutton Trust - 'Double Disadvantage' and 'Selective Inclusion'.  Both report findings particularly look at the changes to be considered by system leaders and policy makers in ensuring all young people, regardless of background or ability, have a fair chance to thrive in education.  The latter report not only looks at links between socio- economic background and SEND but also the patterns of admissions and school performance - forcing us to think deeply about the factors that impact on the ability of ALL children to thrive in our education system, factors that may appear hidden but are crucial to understanding the changes in policy that may need to be considered.

About the speaker

Charlotte O’Regan is the Schools Engagement Lead at The Sutton Trust, where she drives the Trust’s cross-sector strategy to promote social mobility and fairer school admissions. A former Vice Principal with over 15 years of experience in the education sector, Charlotte holds a Masters in Educational Leadership and the NPQH. She is a specialist in the intersectionality of disadvantage, particularly the complex relationship between socio-economic background and SEND. By bridging the gap between frontline school leadership and national advocacy, Charlotte ensures that policy recommendations, such as the Fair School Admissions Pledge, are both ambitious and grounded in the realities of school implementation.