I’m Nicky Ashby-Guest, an experienced SEND leader with over 25 years of working alongside children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. I hold QTS, the National Award for SENCOs, and a Master’s in Inclusive Special Education. My career has spanned roles including SENDCO, Assistant Headteacher, Specialist Advisory Teacher, Interim SEND Strategic Manager for a large local authority, and now Trust Lead for Inclusion, Research and Outreach at The Gallery Trust – a trust of seven specialist schools in Oxfordshire. I have extensive experience supporting pupils with complex needs and driving inclusive practice at school, Trust, local authority, and national levels. I lead the Trust’s Special School Outreach Programme and have developed national training for current and future educators. This includes co-writing Best Practice Network’s SEND ITT programme and facilitating this year’s cohort of 72 student teachers in specialist settings nationwide. I also contribute to and deliver NPQSENCO and ECT frameworks, ensuring they reflect the realities of specialist education. My passion is reshaping the culture, language, and practice that underpin education for pupils with SEND, and embedding research-informed approaches into teacher training, CPD, and leadership development. I’m looking forward to connecting with others in this network to share ideas, collaborate, and drive forward positive change for our learners. Best wishes, Nicky