One of the Associations principal aims is to influence policy and practice by providing a collective voice and representing the views of BESD school leaders locally, regionally and nationally.

engage in their future has a close, co-operative working relationship with the DfE (The Department for Education) and the National Strategies team.

Specific Areas of Consultation

• BESD Working Party (BESD Guidance May 08) - Gerry Gamble headnottonhousesp@bristol-city.gov.uk
• West Midlands Outcomes group - ECM and ‘Raise Online’ in Special Education - Angela Valentini angela.valentini@taw.org.uk
• Crime In London - working group - Doug Bone douglas.bone@btconnect.com

engage in their future has responded on behalf of its members on the following

• NICE Consultation - Richard Boyle principal@munthamhouse.w-sussex.sch.uk
• Pilot use of SIPs in non maintained schools - Brendan Heneghan principal@whsschool.org.uk
• Consultation on CRB
• North West Placements Group working on National Contracts - Mike Barrow mikebarrow@witherslackgroup.co.uk
• Guidance on restrictive Physical Interventions in Public - Bernard Allen settings-bernard@streaming-training.co.uk
• Audit Commission - Out of Authority Placements - Richard Boyle principal@munthamhouse.w-sussex.sch.uk
• National Programme for Specialist Leaders of Behaviour and Attendance (NPSLBA) - Brendan Heneghan principal@whsschool.org.uk

Successes

• Invited by DfE to establish a representative body for Special School Leaders (FLSE) - Lord Adonis - Gerry Gamble headnottonhousesp@bristol-city.gov.uk
• Representation on National Strategies Group - Richard Boyle principal@munthamhouse.w-sussex.sch.uk
• Regular meetings with then DCSF representative, Hardip Begol, Head of SEN and Disability
• Subject specific Meetings with:
  • Chris Beek - National Strategies, National Director SEN Strategies - Lynn Richards Ann Hendersen Senior Adviser - DfE (Cross Phase) - Lynn Richards

Meetings with

• Charles Clarke (then Secretary of State for Education).  engage in their future was instrumental in influencing Government thinking in broadening opportunity for specialist status for our general specialism of behaviour, in addition to curricular specialisms - Jon Lees jon.lees@specialisteducation.co.uk
• Lord Adonis - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools and Learners – Steve Cliffen steve.cliffen@hotmail.co.uk
• Shadow Education Secretary - Richard Boyle principal@munthamhouse.w-sussex.sch.uk