Staff Room Reads
Reviewed by Professionals for Professionals
SAfE’s Inclusion Lead, Kenny Wheeler, shares his thoughts on Natalie Packer and David Bartram’s book, Beyond Boundaries – Leading Great SEND Provision Across a Trust
This book is written by Natalie Packer and David Bartram, two leading figures in the world of SEND. Both are extremely knowledgeable and have vast experience of working with a range of schools nationally and internationally, supporting and further developing SEND practices and provision. This book explores the different ways and approaches that have been taken to develop great SEND provision across a trust. It also explores the challenges faced when attempting to lead developments at scale. Rather than focus in solely on their own experiences and viewpoints the book incorporates an array of case studies so readers get insights from leaders working in a variety of settings across the country.
Essentially the book is structured around the Primary Colours Model of Leadership which was developed by Professor David Pendleton. The model is used to help frame the different stages which can be used to support a coherent approach to leading effective SEND provision.
The Primary Colours Model of Leadership focuses on the following elements:
- Strategic domain
- Interpersonal domain
- Operational domain
These domains are represented through overlapping circles to help demonstrate the interrelationship between each domain and their influence on leadership. The domains then break down further into six key areas which impact on effective leadership of SEND.
Where Pendleton uses colours in their model, the authors focus in on the six key areas to build evidence for leading great SEND provision. Central to the whole model is leading, that idea of having key domains aligned and then creating space and capacity so that strategic developments are possible and receive the necessary leadership attention and focus.
The six areas inside the overlapping circles are further broken down by the authors into:
Setting strategic direction
- Inclusive culture and vision
- SEND strategic planning
- SEND policy
- Governance
Creating alignment
- Collective responsibility
- Core SEND offer
- Curriculum access and High-Quality Teaching
- Inclusive environment
Building and sustaining relationships
- Working parents and carers
- Pupil voice and participation
- Engaging external professionals
- Developing wider partnerships
Team working
- Establishing SEND knowledge and expertise
- Collaborating with the specialist sector
- Creating SEND teams
- Effective use of teaching assistants
Planning and organising
- Establishing systems and processes
- Accurate assessment and identification
- Robust provision mapping
- Impactful interventions
Delivering results
- Securing positive outcomes
- Analysis of SEND data
- Rigorous monitoring and evaluation
- Effective use of SEND funding
The chapters then focus in on each of the six areas giving insights from the authors which are then supported through contributions from school leaders and key figures in the world of SEND from across the country. Each chapter starts with a set of questions which act as reflection prompts for the reader. As the book progresses the reader gathers more and more reflections to help build a foundation for strategic planning and key actions to help shape and impact on the leadership of SEND across a trust.
The case studies in each chapter help support reflection and highlight the importance of building SEND with a clear understanding of one’s own context. There are some really interesting contributions focusing on; developing a core offer; promoting high-quality teaching, establishing the right provision, developing SEND leadership and learning without labels (to name but a few).
The one thing that really resonated with me was the focus on strategy based on a sound understanding of context. There are no shortcuts or use of blueprints to impose models which have been successful in other settings. It very much comes across that leaders have taken time to think about what is most pressing across their trust and then focused in on the actions necessary to develop these areas. The acronym that came to mind when reading this book was TINSB There is no silver bullet!
Even though the book is aimed at trust leads I think it is a helpful read for senior leaders in schools to get insights and ideas for developing effective SEND leadership across their setting. SEND and inclusion are after all whole school responsibilities which therefore need whole school strategic intent and leadership input from across the school.
Don’t forget that Schools Alliance for Excellence have developed the Rethinking Inclusion Framework which is free to access for all Surrey schools. This is an ideal tool for supporting rigorous and robust self-evaluation to give a solid foundation for building whole school inclusive practices. If you would like access to the Rethinking Inclusion Framework, then please e-mail admin@schoolsallexcel.com
