At the heart of high-quality professional development is collaboration—bringing together diverse expertise to shape learning opportunities that truly meet the needs of educators and their students. When we set out to establish a Curriculum Review Board to guide our work in developing professional development opportunities for those working with pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), we knew that finding the right people would be crucial. Thanks to the SEND Network, we were able to do just that.

Engaging the SEND Community

Our journey began with an agreement from the SEND Network to use their forum as a platform to invite applications for our Curriculum Review Board. The board’s purpose was clear: to ensure our professional development offer would build competence, confidence, and capability among school staff working with pupils with SEND. Through a single post on the forum, we reached out to individuals passionate about supporting educators and driving meaningful change in SEND practice.

The response was overwhelming. Over thirty professionals from a variety of backgrounds expressed their interest in contributing to this initiative. The sheer volume and diversity of applications demonstrated the depth of knowledge and commitment within the SEND community—something we may not have accessed without the reach and credibility of the SEND Network.

Building the Board

To refine our approach and ensure alignment in vision and purpose, we invited all interested individuals to a webinar. This session provided an opportunity to discuss the project in more detail, explore expectations, and begin forming a collaborative community of experts. Following the webinar, we shared an expression of interest form to help us identify those best suited to play an advisory role in shaping our professional development offer.

From this process, we assembled a Curriculum Review Board with an incredible range of expertise. Our board members include:

• SENCOs (Special Educational Needs Coordinators) providing practical, school-based insights.
• Inclusion Leads from Local Authorities, bringing a systems-wide perspective.
• Speech and Language Therapists, offering specialist knowledge in communication and learning.
• Authors and Academics, contributing research-driven approaches and thought leadership.
• Parents, ensuring that the voice of families remains central to our work.
• Classroom Teachers, grounding our work in the day-to-day realities of school life

The Impact of the SEND Network

The breadth and richness of our Curriculum Review Board would not have been possible without the SEND Network. Their platform enabled us to engage with a highly skilled and passionate group of individuals who might otherwise have remained undiscovered. Through this collaboration, we have created a powerful advisory group that will shape the future of professional development in SEND education.

Looking Ahead

With our Curriculum Review Board in place, we are now excited to take the next step—co-developing professional learning opportunities that equip teachers, support staff, and school leaders with the skills and confidence they need. By working together, we can ensure that SEND practice continues to evolve in ways that benefit both educators and the pupils they support.

This case study stands as a testament to the value of networks and collaborative working. The SEND Network has not only facilitated the creation of our board but has also reinforced the importance of collective expertise in driving meaningful change. We look forward to the journey ahead and to delivering professional development opportunities that educators truly need and deserve.

To find out more about our existing offer of professional development, including NPQs and other accredited and free-to-access courses please visit our website www.llse.org.uk

 SEND Network and LLSE Case Study February 2025