Carol started her career setting up print media enterprises before becoming Director of Marketing and Development at the University of Westminster, later moving to the British Museum in 1999 as its first Director of Marketing and Public Affairs. Her affinity for improving the lives of young people led her to the position of Commercial Director for the Prince’s Trust in 2003, and she became Chief Executive of Coram in 2007.

Formerly a member of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, Carol served on the Adoption Leadership Board for seven years and is a continuing member of the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. She was Chair of the National Autistic Society for ten years and is now Chair of Diabetes UK. Carol was awarded a CBE in 2013 for her contribution to services for children and families and became a DBE in 2026.

Emma is the Executive Principal/CEO of Alternative Learning Trust (multi-academy trust), having been Headteacher at The Limes College PRU in the London Borough of Sutton since 2006.  The Limes College was the initiating organisation for Alternative Learning Trust and converted to an academy within Alternative Learning Trust on 1 June 2019.

Emma graduated as a teacher with B.Ed. 2:1 from the University of Bangor in 1992, with a specialism in Outdoor Education, PE and SEN.

Emma holds a post-graduate Diploma in SEN/Behaviour, an NPQH, she has also led The Limes College in developing quality teaching and raising attainment which involved improving expectations and developing a full range of attainment and qualifications with clear pathways to positive destinations, including working with students to resolve their barriers to learning, and reintegration into mainstream school. This work has led to The Limes College being a leader in multi-agency working and interventions for children and families who have experienced Domestic Abuse / Violence Against Women and Girls. With a focus on supporting whole systems and families to remove barriers to learning.

Emma has introduced many interventions in the various settings in which she has worked, including developing therapeutic interventions into the PRU and researching and developing evidence-based practice to address the impact of domestic violence.  Prior to 2006, she worked in all phases supporting, teaching and managing behaviour support services and provision for excluded pupils.  This work included a specialism in learning outside the classroom, targeted work, and training around inclusion issues for children at risk of exclusion from school.

Emma has worked in outdoor education centres and on a curriculum development project in Knowsley (supporting children at risk of exclusion using outdoor education).   Emma co-ordinated the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Knowsley Local Authority and at school level whilst teaching in Hounslow.

Emma represents secondary schools, special schools and PRUs on Sutton’s Funding Forum, LSCP, CAMHS Partnership Board and the Early Help Board and is Vice Chair of the Secondary Heads’ Group.  She has also led on the development in Sutton of the Vulnerable Pupils’ Panel (Sutton’s Fair Access Panel, which is the admissions panel to the PRU).

Currently, Emma is representing PRUs and AP on a national stakeholder group with the Department for Education, looking at how policy and practice can be developed to support this vulnerable cohort. The group has supported policy and practice in response to COVID-19 and is working with the DfE on developing commissioning, funding and practice for the future.

Sarah Johnson has worked in education for the last nineteen years. As a qualified teacher, Sarah has enjoyed roles in mainstream schools, Pupil Referral Units, Alternative Provision and psychiatric in-patient services. Sarah is the author of the book ‘Behaving Together: A Teacher’s Guide to Nurturing Behaviour’ and two upcoming books published by Routledge on Social and Emotional Mental Health. As a member for the Department of Education’s Alternative Provision stakeholder group, she has supported development of policy such as the recent SEND and AP green paper as well as chairing a range of panels and events within the education sector.

Claire is an experienced education leader with 29 years in the profession, including 15 years in mainstream secondary education teaching Modern Foreign Languages and Business Studies, alongside significant pastoral leadership responsibilities. In 2012, she joined Everton Free School and Football College as Deputy Principal and has since played a pivotal role in developing the school’s distinctive ethos, curriculum and outcomes.

Under Claire’s leadership, Everton Free School and Football College has undergone three Ofsted inspections, most recently in April 2024, where the school was judged Outstanding in all five categories. The provision is built around the power of sport to motivate, engage and re-connect young people with education, supporting students who benefit from a personalised, relationship-driven approach.

Once engaged, students follow a structured core curriculum including GCSEs in Sport, English, Maths and Science, supported by digital skills, personal development and a free to choose vocational pathway. Students in Year 11 progress to the Football College, further education colleges across the city, apprenticeships or employment. The school’s culture is underpinned by three core values: Respect, Responsibility and Resilience.

Claire is deeply committed to ensuring young people succeed and thrive, particularly those from diverse and complex backgrounds. Her long-term impact is reflected in her recent appointment of three former students as Teaching Assistants, demonstrating the school’s commitment to opportunity, belonging and aspiration.

Claire’s philosophy is simple: “We discipline because we care.” The school prioritises attendance, safety and strong relationships, creating a secure foundation from which students develop confidence, belonging and ambition. From this starting point, the focus is on unlocking potential and supporting every student to achieve meaningful and sustained success.

As Principal, Claire is a strong and compassionate leader, attentive to the needs of students and families. She leads a highly skilled and aspirational staff team, ensuring students develop the academic knowledge, personal qualities and wider skills required to make a positive contribution to society.

September 2026 will mark the school’s 15th academic year and Claire’s 30th year in education. Everton Free School’s direct association with Everton Football Club continues to motivate and inspire its journey of success as it moves forward as part of The People’s Learning Trust.

Lisa Ingleby’s role includes full oversight of the use of alternative provision by schools across County Durham, including the development and implementation of a quality assurance framework to monitor curriculum provision by referring schools. This also includes developing inclusive practices within alternative provision through collaborative work with other local authorities. Lisa also has extensive experience of leading pastoral provision within secondary and special schools at a senior level, including development of systems to underpin successful transition arrangements across the primary and secondary phase as well as supporting schools who demonstrate excellent inclusive practices, to achieve the Inclusion Quality Mark.

Vicki Grainger provides strategic leadership for Alternative Provision and commissioning through the Junction 16 service which is part of Respect Collaboration Trust, She holds extensive expertise in the systems, processes and quality assurance frameworks that underpin effective AP. Vicki oversees robust commissioning, compliance and monitoring arrangements to ensure all provision meets current government guidance and Ofsted expectations, supporting schools to secure high‑quality, safe and appropriate placements. Her experience spans decades of system‑wide oversight, collaborative working with schools and providers, and the delivery of Junction 16’s own alternative provision pathways in Construction, Outdoor Education and Hair and Beauty, making her a trusted and knowledgeable leader in the AP sector.

Anthony is the CEO of Ambition Community Trust, a new trust founded on the principles of Relational Inclusion. A teacher for 28 years, he began his career as an English teacher and has held senior leadership roles across six schools in five authorities. He holds a National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership and a Diploma in Trauma and Mental Health (Practitioner Status). An established keynote speaker and published author, his book Educating Everyone: An Introduction to Relational Inclusion in Schools was released in 2025, with two further titles due in 2026. Passionate about addressing root causes rather than symptoms, Anthony’s work focuses on understanding the challenges faced by young people and their communities.

I have experience supporting schools to improve behaviour, safeguarding, and SEND provision, with a strong focus on inclusive practice. I have helped develop internal alternative provision centres that enable students to receive targeted support while remaining part of their mainstream school community.
This work has been recognised by trusts and organisations including NASEN, Mentoring Schools, the Pearson National Teaching Awards, and TES, with centres highlighted as examples of significant effective practice.
I am committed to promoting inclusive approaches that reduce stigma, strengthen relationships, and support students with social, emotional, behavioural, or SEND needs to succeed within mainstream education.

Dynamic school leader with 15 years’ experience designing trauma-informed, individualised programmes that re-engage vulnerable learners and restore pathways to mainstream education. As Deputy Headteacher at Keys Group, I lead behaviour, attendance and safeguarding across specialist provision, creating personalised curricula and secure routines that support high risk students, reduce suspensions, and drive successful reintegration through close multi agency working.

As an independent consultant, I’ve partnered with a multi academy trust in the south of England to overhaul routines, policies, and procedures and to develop robust internal Alternative Provision. I coach senior leaders, embed consistent day to day practice, and implement targeted systems that deliver measurable improvements in attendance, behaviour and school culture — including a 10% reduction in persistent absenteeism and a 90% drop in internal truancy. I combine strategic programme management with hands on delivery to turn policy into practice and sustain long term change.

Jamie Rogers is the Director of Programmes and Partnerships at The Difference, where he leads national strategy across programmes, delivery, and local authority partnerships. Jamie also brings extensive experience as a senior leader and associate headteacher, with a strong track record in school turnaround. His leadership has focused on driving sustainable improvement, strengthening inclusive practice, and supporting schools and academies serving under-resourced communities.
In his current role, Jamie oversees delivery of The Difference’s programmes; Inclusive Leadership Course, Internal Alternative Provision Development Days, and local strategy design with local authorities across the country. He works closely with partners to embed inclusive systems, develop leadership capacity, and deliver long-term impact at both school and system level.
Jamie has also led the growth of the ILC and the IncludEd Conference, expanding their reach and influence to a national scale. Over the past five years, he has worked extensively with and within mainstream schools and academies, supporting leaders to drive whole-school inclusion (WSI) and improve outcomes.

Phil Willott is a passionate champion of trauma-informed education, whole-child development, and creating positive learning experiences that last well beyond the classroom. He serves as Director of Education at the Raleigh Education Trust and brings more than two decades of experience across mainstream, alternative, and specialist settings.

Before taking up his current role, Phil was Executive Principal of two academies praised for their strong trauma-informed culture and recipients of the Trauma Informed Schools Award. Under his leadership, both academies became known for their compassionate ethos and attracted positive recognition from local and national media.

Phil has an exceptional record in school improvement. He has played a pivotal role in moving both a mainstream school and a multi-site pupil referral unit out of special measures, and he successfully opened two alternative provision free schools. Beginning his career as a teacher of ICT and Law, he progressed through pastoral middle leadership, senior leadership, and later qualified as a SENDCo. Across every stage of his career, Phil has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to inclusive practice and to supporting the most vulnerable children, young people, and families.

Beyond his work in schools, Phil contributes extensively to the wider education and safeguarding landscape. He supports policy formation and strategic decision-making through his involvement in groups including the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Strategic Board, Nottingham City’s Local Area SEND Partnership Improvement Assurance Group, and the Nottinghamshire Restorative Practice Partnership.

A lifelong learner, Phil has completed the National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership. He is an experienced NPQH facilitator and teaches on both the NPQ SENDCo and NPQLBC programmes. He is also a keynote speaker on inclusion and trauma-informed practice.

Phil’s approach to leadership and education is rooted in a guiding belief that has shaped his entire career: “Every child deserves a champion.” – Rita Pierson

Dirk Pittard is an Associate Executive Principal, currently leading St Wilfrid’s Academy in Doncaster which is part of the Delta Multi Academy Trust. The school is a 125 place alternative provision setting offering KS2 and KS3 pupil assessments, short term intervention placements, and longer-term programmes for KS4 pupils.
As a school they are committed to multi-agency outreach work providing the support and challenge to mainstream colleagues to think outside the box in terms of the way in which they meet the needs of their high tariff students.
They have a strong track record in terms of successfully re-integrating pupils back into mainstream schools. As a result of the impact of their outstanding provision they are now supporting other LA’s to set up similar task forces based on the St Wilfrid’s model as this approach has been shown to be highly cost effective for the Local Authority and early help agencies. St Wilfrid’s Academy has recently been accoladed with the NASEN Alternative Provision of the Year Award in recognition of their outstanding inclusive practice.

Rob is an experienced CEO with extensive board room experience as both a CEO and trustee. Rob’s first Headteacher role in AP began in 2000, he has a Masters Degrees in Economics and Education Management and has worked extensively with pupils who exhibit challenging behaviour and those who are unable to access school due to their health. He has contributed to developing leading policy and practice in this field, and has for many years been the AP rep on the NAHT SEND Council, is a former Exec member of PRUSAP & DfE AP Reference Group and founding member of the National MAT CEO Network for AP & SEND. Rob contributes regularly to Schools Week is a passionate advocate of inclusion, and proud father of two.

Carol started her career setting up print media enterprises before becoming Director of Marketing and Development at the University of Westminster, later moving to the British Museum in 1999 as its first Director of Marketing and Public Affairs. Her affinity for improving the lives of young people led her to the position of Commercial Director for the Prince’s Trust in 2003, and she became Chief Executive of Coram in 2007.

Formerly a member of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, Carol served on the Adoption Leadership Board for seven years and is a continuing member of the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. She was Chair of the National Autistic Society for ten years and is now Chair of Diabetes UK. Carol was awarded a CBE in 2013 for her contribution to services for children and families and became a DBE in 2026.