The Local Area Partnership SEND Improvement Board meets to drive and evidence progression against the SEND Strategy Improvement Plan. On the Suffolk Local Offer website, you can find future meeting dates, as well as documentation and minutes for previous meetings.
Our Education representatives will be sharing information and updates following each meeting, these will be included within Suffolk Headlines, previous editions available here and on this website. For information on our representatives, see below.
Education Representatives
Adam Tedesco, Deputy Chief Executive – Olive Academies
Adam is committed to altering students’ life chances by promoting fully inclusive education in secondary settings and ensuring that all students achieve to the best of their abilities regardless of their social or economic background.
He has over 15 years’ experience as a multi-academy trust (MAT) leader, headteacher, senior leader and school improvement consultant in some of the most challenging alternative provision (AP) settings and inner-city schools. Adam has been instrumental in growing Olive Academies into one of the leading MATs in the AP sector. Adam has expertise in all forms of inclusive practice including behaviour management; special educational needs; safeguarding; learning support; vertical tutoring and alternative provision.
Trudi Rose-Porter, Director- Transition, Foundation and Inclusive Learning – Suffolk New College
As Director of Transition, Foundation and Inclusive Learning at Suffolk New College, Trudi is responsible for the strategic leadership of inclusion across the College and led on the recent SEND Inclusion Award, which the college achieved in September 2023. Trudi oversaw the integration of the Supported Learning Department at Otley and the Foundation Learning Team at Ipswich following the merger of the two colleges in 2020, and led on the high needs inspection during the most recent OFSTED visit, being fundamental in ensuring that the high needs grade was improved from “ Requires Improvements “ to “ Good”.
As well as working at the College, Trudi is the SEND Governor for the Raedwald Trust, and has recently joined the board of the Brave Futures charity. Trudi has just completed her first year of a Masters in Inclusion, at Birmingham University.
Hayley Cullimore, Trust SEND Lead, ASSET Education
With two decades of experience as an educator, Hayley is proud to be the Head of Inclusion for ASSET Education and to have been elected as the Primary phase representative on the Suffolk SEND Improvement Board. Hayley’s journey in the SEND world began ten years ago taking on the role of Teacher of SEND. In this capacity, Hayley was responsible for providing specialised support to students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
Hayley then became a SENDCo, working tirelessly to create an inclusive learning environment where every student could thrive. Developing and implementing strategies to ensure that students with SEND had access to the same opportunities as their peers. Collaborating with parents, teachers and other professionals to ensure that students received the support they needed to reach their full potential.
In Hayley’s current role as Head of Inclusion, She is responsible for overseeing the provision of SEND services across all ASSET schools and leads the thriving SENDCo Network. Working closely with school leaders, teachers and support staff to ensure that all students with SEND have access to a high-quality education. Hayley is passionate about promoting inclusion and creating an equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Hayley will utilise her position on the board to drive positive change and is looking forward to liaising with primary colleagues.
Nicola Jervis, Lead Practitioner for SEND – Ormiston Academies Trust
Nicola has been the Lead Practitioner for SEND for the East at Ormiston Academy Trust for four years, and a SENCo since 2015. She is a History teacher with 24 years experience in pastoral and welfare support across the Midlands and the East of England. As well as SENCO, she has experience of developing inclusion in a number of academies as head of year, head of house and KS4 coordinator. The Lead Practitioner role is central in driving academy commitment to supporting academic excellence and the personal development of every child, and Nicola has vast experience of supporting whole school improvement for SEND and inclusion. She works with Principals to develop academy vision for SEND by delivering training, conducting SEND reviews and developing action plans. She also has developed toolkits to support best practice, provided bespoke support for individual teachers to develop teaching strategies for children with SEND and supported academies in preparation for OFSTED visits.
Anna Mears, Headteacher Castle EAST School – East Anglian Schools’ Trust
Anna has been the Headteacher at Castle EAST School since April 2021, and EAST SEND Lead since September 2024. Castle EAST School opened in September 2021 and offers specialist education for pupils between the ages of 9 – 16 years who have a diagnosis of communication and interactions needs or Autistic Spectrum Condition. The school educates and supports children and young people to develop a range of skills and qualities with support from a team of staff who are hugely ambitious for pupils to achieve both their academic and social goals. In the school’s first Ofsted inspection it was graded as outstanding. Anna is also Chair of the Suffolk Special School Heads Panel. Over the last twenty years, Anna has worked in schools across Essex and Suffolk, in both mainstream and specialist provision. Her roles have also included Headteacher at an SEMH provision, Deputy Headteacher at an all-through special school, SENCO and Head of Year.
Sophie Conway – Nursery Manager and SENCo, The Play Pit Day Nursery – Felixstowe
Sophie has 18 years experience working in the Early Years Sector and manages a large private day nursery in Felixstowe. Qualifying as an Early Years Teacher (EYTS) in 2016, and a SENCo for 14 years – more recently completing the newly introduced Early Years SENCo qualification.
SEND is Sophie’s passion – giving all children the learning opportunities they deserve is her main priority. We pride ourselves on giving our children the very best and supporting their family through the many different processes that come with SEND.
With significant experience in the EHCP application process, diagnosis support, and school transitions into both mainstream and specialist provision, Sophie is well placed to be the voice for Early Years on the SEND Improvement Board – and is look forward to representing Early Years colleagues, and helping ensure that Suffolk can make those much-needed steps in the right direction for our children and families with SEND.