Education Insights is nearly here and we're delighted to share some of our expert speakers ahead of time.
Discover our speakers, their insights and how to get in touch with them below.
Tom Reynolds
About Tom:
As a post-degree-diagnosed dyslexic, Tom Reynolds is a passionate advocate for equitable and inclusive education. With over 20 years’ experience teaching, leading and advising in state secondary schools, Tom has consistently championed the use of innovative approaches to address systemic disparities. His expertise lies in identifying barriers to educational opportunity and in exploring practical, technology-driven solutions to create a more level playing field for learners. A former five-times ‘Head of English’, Tom is the Founder of EdenFiftyOne - an award-winning edtech platform that promotes 51 universal literacy skills – and in 2023, Tom was shortlisted as the ‘Great British Entrepreneur of The Year’. Tom is the Education Advisor to the world’s first United Nations Regional Office, in Liverpool, and a guest lecturer for English teacher training at Liverpool John Moores University [LJMU].
His Insight:
The current education system is failing SEND and disadvantaged learners. It's time for technology to give all young people a chance to thrive, regardless of their background or needs.
LinkedIn:
Read out to Tom on LinkedIn here.
Jeanne Fairbrother
About Jeanne:
Jeanne Fairbrother is a Chartered member of IOSH and an experienced health and safety (HS) practitioner. She has nineteen years of experience in the education sector and was a Lead Officer for schools at Wirral Council for 10 years.
Jeanne has a proven track record of delivering advice, guidance, and excellent customer service to education settings. She is also an experienced and accredited IOSH trainer.
She is the customer-focused Director of SafeSchool, a health and safety consultancy that specifically services schools. SafeSchool provides services to schools across Wirral, Liverpool, Cheshire East & West, Manchester, and Halton.
Her Insight:
A brief introduction to Martyn’s Law and how schools should/need to prepare in the next 18 months to ensure they are compliant, to ensure the safety of their staff, students, visitors.
Her LinkedIn:
Reach out to Jeanne on LinkedIn here.
Elly Jackson
About Elly:
Elly is the Project Coordinator for Liverpool City Council’s Intern to Work Programme, a programme that supports young adults with additional needs or disabilities. The main aim of our programme is to support individuals to gain practical experience and build skills to move into sustainable, paid employment. With a background as a qualified primary school teacher and SEND Job Coach, she is passionate about creating inclusive opportunities that support young adults to transition into meaningful employment.
Her Insight:
Empowering young adults with SEND to reach their full potential and helping employers benefit from the diverse strengths they bring to the workplace.
LinkedIn:
Reach out to Elly on LinkedIn here.
Tony Bradley
About Tony:
Tony Bradley (Revd Dr, SFHEA), is Director of the SEARCH (Sustainable Economy Action Research Centre at Hope) research centre at Liverpool Hope University, and Senior Lecturer in Business Sustainability. He is a former environmental scientist and has a long-standing interest in the role of environmental action groups in promoting community resilience and social cohesion, especially in times of crisis. He is currently part of a Europe-wide Horizon project developing research on 'empowering young people to enhance mental health', in which he is leading on the field of 'eco-anxiety to eco-action'. He is the author/editor of 11 books and many research articles. He lives in the Lake District with his wife, and close to two daughters, their families, and four dogs.
His Insight:
Research evidence indicates that 'eco-anxiety' is experienced by 50% of young people across Europe. It is one of the most significant sources of mental health issues amongst Gen Z cohorts. Engagement in 'eco-activism' can be a main way of ameliorating these issues, and empowering young people to envision a positive future for themselves, their communities, and the planet.
LinkedIn:
Reach out to Tony on LinkedIn here.
Natalie Hicks
About Natalie:
Natalie Hicks is an Occupational Therapist, and until recently she has been leading on the Level 3 Community Health and Wellbeing Apprenticeship at Training 2000. Natalie has three autistic children, and is experienced with the mental health of young people.
Her Insights:
How can you improve the Mental Health and Wellbeing of your students? Techniques you can implement and recommend.
LinkedIn:
Reach out to Natalie on LinkedIn here.
Bhumika Palni
About Bhumika:
In her role, Bhumi supports young people aged 16–24 to develop their employability skills and gain paid employment. Over the past year, she has supported 16 young people to gain 19 paid jobs offers.
Her passion stems from both professional and personal experience — she holds a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the University of Edinburgh, where her dissertation focused on the barriers and enablers to disability inclusion in organisations and how organisations can become inclusive of people with disabilities in their recruitment, integration and retention processes.
On a personal note, her younger brother, Saransh, was born with Down’s Syndrome, he inspires her to help create a world where everyone has the right environment and an opportunity to excel and prosper.
Her Insight:
In the past year, she has supported 8 interns into paid roles, 5 of whom have since become permanent employees. Young people with SEND are capable and talented — they just need a chance and someone to believe in them.
LinkedIn:
Reach out to Bumika on LinkedIn here.
Michelle Blake
About Michelle:
Michelle is a SEND professional with experience as a teacher in both primary and secondary education, as well as experience as a university lecturer specialising in inclusion. She is also a parent of children with SEND. With a background in psychology, Michelle’s professional interests are based around psychological wellbeing and neurodiversity. At present, Michelle is the director of a Community Interest Company, Wonder Neurodiversity, which provides training, coaching and development for neurodivergent people, families, schools, community groups, and employers.
Her Insight:
Harnessing and enhancing neurodivergent pupils’ motivation for learning, enabling them to achieve: How are neuro-affirming practices, self-concept and wellbeing tied together with engagement?
LinkedIn:
Reach out to Michelle on LinkedIn here.
Sam Flynn
About Sam:
Sam Flynn is a digital wellbeing and digital culture trainer and speaker. With a background in Organisational Psychology, Sam has been running a social media training business for the last 15 years. After noticing her own smartphone use increase dramatically during the pandemic, and the impact this had on her own wellbeing and mental health, Sam researched the impact that the digital world is having on our wellbeing. She has combined her psychology and digital backgrounds to provide digital wellbeing session in businesses, to parents and in schools. Sam delivers sessions on reducing smartphone use, managing our children’s smartphone use and digital culture within organisations. The digital world is not going away, so Sam helps people embrace it in a positive way!
Her Insight:
Our children are being raised in a digital world so it’s essential we ensure there is no negative impact on their wellbeing. In this session, you’ll discover the negative impact the digital world can have on children and steps we can take to protect their wellbeing
LinkedIn:
Read out to Sam on LinkedIn here.
Paul Henderson-Griffiths:
About Paul:
Paul is proud to lead our Service Delivery team here at Open Awards, comprising our Customer Service and Administration functions. His team are the first point of contact for our customers and provide training and support to our providers. Paul's team also ensure all registrations and certifications are correct.
Paul began his career at Open Awards in 2019 firstly managing the EQA contract for end-point assessment of apprenticeships, before moving into the Operations Manager role, Head of Service Delivery and since June 2023 joining the Senior Management Team as Director for the Service Delivery function.
Prior to working for Open Awards, Paul spent 9 years working in Social Care, firstly managing programmes for young people with SEND to access public transport and latterly managing a support service for adults with varying support needs to engage in meaningful activities and employment.
Outside of his role at Open Awards Paul is proud to be a School Governor of two Primary Schools in Salford.
His Insight:
Paul's role as a Chair of Governors has given him an insight into the OFSTED inspection process under the "old" and revised framework. Preparation for OFSTED is key as is a understanding of how inspections will focus on Governance.
LinkedIn:
Read out to Paul on LinkedIn here.
Gavin Sherrat:
About Gavin:
Gavin Sherratt is the founder of GoodShip*, a purpose-driven digital and innovation agency. With over two decades in digital, he helps organisations harness creativity, technology, and AI to create meaningful and transformative solutions for them and the communities they serve.
His work includes strategic consultancy, developing digital platforms, and the AI Activator programme, which helps organisations responsibly adopt generative AI. Gavin is passionate about collaboration, innovation, and using technology to drive positive change.
His Insight:
AI is now a key tool for life and business. The key with any tool is how we use it and how we explore the options and possibilities new technologies bring to us in life, education, and the future of work.
LinkedIn:
Read out to Gavin on LinkedIn here.