Sunderland College is one of three North East colleges to be recognised as a leading example as it champions inclusion and improves outcomes for learners with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).

Sunderland College, Northumberland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form College - as part of the Education Partnership North East (EPNE) - have been featured in an Education and Training Foundation (ETF) case study highlighting their growing contributions to improving SEND practice across the further education sector.

EPNE was chosen to help drive inclusive cultures across further education and support leaders, managers and practitioners to ensure learners with SEND thrive and achieve their full potential.

Through the programme, EPNE designs and delivers professional development for colleges and training providers across England, facilitates national Communities of Practice and leads peer reviews that encourage organisations to share best practice and strengthen SEND provision.

placeholder image — Sunderland College | Contributed

Lee Lister, EPNE’s SEND lead, said: “Two years ago, we applied to ETF for a peer review.

“It was an incredibly useful experience and, whilst we knew we had a good SEND provision, it highlighted lots of additional practice that we could have been doing and should consider.”

The process helped shape EPNE’s ambition to become a national leader in SEND and inclusion, building on more than a decade of developing provision for young people and adults with additional needs.

Lee added: “Our executive leadership team are ambitious and, to further develop our 10-year vision for exceptional SEND practice, we decided that we wanted to become a Centre for Excellence.

“We applied to ETF and were delighted when we were successful.”

The ETF case study also highlights EPNE’s growing influence in SEND nationally, including its involvement in national conferences, sector partnerships, framework development and training delivery.

Lee continued: “It’s been a really pivotal year for our college and our journey to exceptional.

“We were very local to the North East. Now, we undertake SEND work nationally, including facilitation at national conferences.

“We’re involved in the development of the new preparation for adulthood framework and we’re now delivering national training.

“I think what I’m most proud of is everything that we’ve done over the last 10 years at our college for young people and adults with SEND, we’ve then supported other colleges and helped them to get on that journey.

“That to me is really important.”