David Bateson OBE

David Bateson OBE holds a portfolio of roles as a chair, trustee, consultant and a National Leader in Education across educational phases. He retired from 20 years of headship in two all-age, all-ability and all-disability day and residential schools. His schools were awarded 6 outstanding Ofsted day inspections and 6 outstanding residential ones. His last school gained national and international recognition as an outward-facing centre of expertise, supporting pupils in mainstream and working with universities and hospitals as a training provider.

David combined executive headship with a variety of roles in special and mainstream education as an Ofsted inspector, a National Leader in Education commissioned to improve schools and a headteacher appraiser. He chaired regional, local and national special and mainstream education groups and had the opportunity to work with the National College for Teaching and Learning and various OECD, DfE and Cabinet Office groups. He currently chairs the National SEND Forum.

Recent work includes performance management, training and improvement work in schools; writing a SEND framework for a major MAT; national research across mainstream and special schools partnerships sponsored by the Laurel Trust; and bespoke leadership development and curriculum work in London, Birmingham and Northampton.

David remains passionate about serving all children and young people and their families but especially those with special educational needs and disabilities. He is proud of his involvement with SET since its inception.

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