Deirdre Fitzpatrick is Vice Chair of the SWALSS network (South West Leaders of Special Schools) an ex Special School Headteacher, Director of Education, SEND Advisor and Senior Secondary School Advisor. She is currently a DfE advisor and a lead inspector for both mainstream secondary and SEN having expertise in both mainstream and special sectors.
Deirdre shares a weekly email/blog with her network of special school leaders, and leaders of SEN across mainstream to support them through this period and help them to make confident and appropriate decisions. We share updates, resources and any concerns we may have. The sorts of things we have so far shared and discussed are conducting effective risk assessments, updates to our safeguarding policies, use of PPE and how to social distance and deliver effective communication with parents.
Up until this point the update has largely been targeted to special school senior leaders with some LA officers and Governors, but the content is equally applicable to SENCOs and resource base leads, especially considering the challenges that lie ahead. You can contact Deirdre and access her weekly updates/blog by emailing her: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.