MAT SEND School Improvement
Our SEND School Improvement programme supports over a thousand schools nationally to strengthen their provision for learners with SEND. More than 90 Multi Academy Trusts are part of this growing network, benefiting from shared expertise, collaboration and collective learning.
Leadership at all levels in a MAT context
Effective SEND provision depends on leadership at every level of a Trust. Our work engages MAT SEND leaders alongside executive and school leaders, ensuring SEND is embedded within strategic conversations and decision making across schools.
MAT wide collaboration enables Trusts to:
Share and scale effective practice across multiple schools.
Build greater consistency of provision so learners with SEND experience equitable support wherever they learn.
Develop strong peer networks where leaders and practitioners learn with and from one another.
Create sustainable, system wide approaches that strengthen inclusion at scale.
How we work with MATs
Our work with MATs is delivered through SEND leadership networks that bring together colleagues from across a Trust. We provide the structures, frameworks and facilitation that maximise collaboration and support sustained improvement in SEND provision.
Alongside Trust level engagement, we work directly with SENDCOs, Headteachers and senior leaders in schools, ensuring the strategic leadership of SEND is embedded consistently across every layer of the Trust.
What We Do
At the heart of our work are a number of factors that support SEND School improvement:
A focus on the controllable factors for school leaders, centred around 7 core themes
A diagnostic that supports effective self-evaluation and allows settings to compare their provision to other settings within their MAT network and nationally
Action planning support for schools
Training and support through live and pre-recorded webinars
A trove of online resources on our Digital Community supporting leadership in relation to SEND
Practice-sharing opportunities, both within a MAT network and nationally
Professional Learning Offer for MATs
Expert webinars for SENCOs
Specialised networks for Resource Provision leads and Special School leaders
Bespoke support for new and aspiring SENCOs and for aspiring MAT SEND Leaders
Regional, in-person events for school leaders
Live webinars for non-SENCO leaders looking to drive inclusive practice
Live webinars for TAs
Recorded webinars for Governors, teachers, TAs and senior leaders
Tailor-made resources for subject leaders around SEND
Our Impact in Trusts:
From the school and MAT leaders within our network:
“The bespoke support from Whole Education has enabled the Trust Inclusion Lead to implement her strategic vision based on engagement with current research and exceptional practitioners. The impressive CPDL offer continues to positively impact inclusive practices across the Trust.”
“Colleagues who run and those who are participants in the network are generous with their time, ideas and resources, which is invaluable. Being able to reach out to colleagues in similar roles to ask for their help or support and share best practice is incredible. Without this network we would all be isolated and ‘reinventing the wheel’.”