Alternative Provision Conference

Michael has worked for the Alliance for 20 years. He coordinates all aspects of the Alliance’s quality improvement support to the early years sector, including policy and procedures development, inclusion, workforce development and training. He also represents the Alliance on a range of policy forums with DfE, Ofsted and NCFE/Cache. He develops and delivers provision for international partners, most recently in China and Azerbaijan.

His background is in adult community education working as a further education lecturer and then working for The Workers’ Educational Association between 1995 and 2003

He holds a BA (Hons) in Law and Politics, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (FE) a Masters Degree in Education Policy and a Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship.

He represents the early years sector on the DfE/DHSS National SEND and AP Implementation Board, is a member of Ofsted’s Early Education Curriculum Forum, IfATE’s employer groups revising Apprenticeship standards at Levels 3, 5 and Teacher level and Chairs the Level 2 Apprentice Group.

Cath is an experienced leader in alternative provision for pupils with medical needs and hospital education, representing the sector as part of the DfE stakeholder group and alongside the AP implementation group looking at how to take forward the proposals in the SEND Green Paper. She is an ex- CEO with a Masters in Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Cath has co-authored booklets for schools, including one published by NASEN.

Cath is the current Chair of the National Association for Hospital Education, a NLE and was a pathfinder for the Ethical Leadership Framework. She gave evidence at the All Parliamentary Committee investigation into Alternative Provision and was awarded an OBE for services to children and young people in 2022.

Pete is the Headteacher of Perryfields  Primary PRU in Worcester which provides behaviour support to the 113 primary, first and middle schools in South Worcestershire. Perryfields has been judged to be outstanding by ofsted  on 4 consecutive occasions and was one of the initial 22 national  lead schools on the DfE Behaviour Hubs programme.

This requires Pete to support and train schools across the country in developing a positive behaviour culture.

Pete is a strong advocate for Quality First Teaching and the importance of building strong and nurturing relationships with all pupils. He has been at Perryfields since 2005.  He was awarded an OBE for services to education in the King’s 2023 New Years Honours list.

Sarah is the Assistant Headteacher of Perryfields and leads on the Behaviour Hubs programme.

Sarah had extensive experience of working in mainstream education before joining the Perryfields team in 2018. Sarah is passionate about improving the life chances of vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils and cascades her knowledge through training schools both in Worcestershire and further afield.

Christina has a background in school improvement, championing ambitious outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable learners. River Tees Multi-Academy Trust is a specialist Trust based in the North East of England. Learners attend the Trust’s five academies because of their Special Educational Needs, health conditions, because of permanent exclusion or to undertake specialist assessment and transition programmes.

Christina has a strong interest in ensuring that all learners can access safe, high quality education regardless of their circumstances.

Chris has been CEO of Prosper Learning Trust since September 2022, having filled the post on an interim basis for the preceding year. He joined the trust in June 2020 as Executive Headteacher of the Trust’s two AP academies.

Chris has over twenty years’ experience of school leadership across three mainstream secondary schools including eleven years as a Headteacher in Gateshead.

Born and brought up in Middlesbrough, he graduated from Newcastle University with an honours degree in Economics, taught English in Madrid, and worked in industry before commencing his teaching career in Northumberland in 1989.

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.

Andrea MacDonald is the Senior Deputy Headteacher at Lift Beacon High in Islington, where she has led whole-school approaches to inclusion, early intervention, and trauma-informed practice. Over the past five years, Andrea has been instrumental in developing Lift Beacon High into one of the borough’s leading schools for inclusive education.

Under her leadership, the school has achieved recognition as an IQM Flagship School, a Nurturing School, and a Rights Respecting School (RRSA), reflecting its commitment to creating a safe, compassionate, and equitable learning environment for all students.

Andrea’s work with the Excluded Initiative and The Difference has significantly strengthened the school’s internal alternative provision, leading to a marked reduction in suspensions and improved outcomes for vulnerable learners. Her practice is driven by the belief that understanding and addressing the root causes of behaviour through care, consistency, and connection can transform children’s lives.