We were absolutely delighted to welcome Tina Dean to the Aspire team at the beginning of this school year.
Speaking about the new SENco position in the Central Services team, Aspire Academies Trust CEO Vicky Parsey said “High quality SEND practice is extremely important to any school setting. Our ‘Aspire Spotlight’ this year is SEND, so we planned for this new role to coincide with the start of the new academic year. Tina is perfect for the role, and I know she will have a very positive impact across all our schools, encouraging collaboration and the sharing of skills and best practice”.
We recently spoke with Tina to understand a bit more about how she will be working with our schools moving forwards.
What is your job role at Aspire?
My role is to work with the schools, supporting the Inclusion teams so they can provide the best possible provision for all learners. I will be working with the Principals to ensure that all staff have the most up-to-date information and current training available to support all children with additional needs. I will be striving for high quality and consistently good SEND practice across the Trust.
What is your past experience?
I have been a teacher for over 20 years and a SENCo for 14 of them. I have worked in both secondary and primary settings, which provides me with a holistic view of a child’s development throughout their school life. Following the completion of the SENCo award, I continued to study and gained a Masters in Leadership in Education which had a SEND focus. This education, alongside an inspirational mentor has continued my interest in the field of Special Educational Needs for many years.
Why do you think it is important to have a SENco that works across the Trust?
I think the introduction of a Trust SENco is very exciting. Within the Trust we have very competent, experienced SENCos and support staff. My role as the trust SENco will allow me help schools develop this practice further.
How can our schools and their children benefit from a Trust SENco?
The role of the SENCo is extremely busy and demanding. My role enables me to have flexibility to learn, teach and share new skills and initiatives that can benefit children across the Trust, extending what is available beyond their own school.
What are your short and long-term plans for this role within Aspire?
In the short term I am developing a better understanding of the schools, their staff and each school community. From here I will be able to personalise the support I provide for each setting