Schools, individuals and organisations have been recognised for their work for children with special educational needs and disabilities at the annual nasen awards.
The fifth annual awards, organised by the National Association for Special Educational Needs and, this week produced 13 winners across England.
They include Whitefield Primary School in Liverpool, Henley Bank High School in Brockworth and Bramfield House School in Halesworth.
Colin May from Torbay has won the SEND leader of the year award, while Carla Baker from Bournemouth was named as learning support staff member of the year. Abed Ahmed won the teacher of the year award.
The youth achievement award went to Hope Whittaker, a nine-year-old south London girl who is autistic.
Annamarie Hassall, nasen’s chief executive, said by spotlighting “hard work, inclusive best practice and sheer determination to achieve in spite of challenges, we hope to inspire others in the education and SEND sector”.
“As CEO at my first nasen Awards, I was humbled by the calibre of nominations and the incredible work schools, individuals and organisations are doing to achieve such fantastic outcomes for children and young people with SEND and learning differences.
“This past 18-months have been particularly challenging for us all, and have greatly impacted the educational experience of all children and young people.”
Nasen awards 2021: The winners
| Award | Winner |
| The nasen Award for Early Years Provision, sponsored by Nursery World | Anglia Sunshine Nurseries in Sudbury |
| The nasen Award for Primary Provision, sponsored by GL Assessment | Whitefield Primary School in Liverpool |
| The nasen Award for Secondary Provision, sponsored by Seeds of Change | Henley Bank High School in Brockworth |
| The nasen Award for 16-25 Provision, sponsored by Brain in Hand | Derwen College in Oswestry |
| Specialist Provision of the Year Award, sponsored by IDL | Bramfield House School in Halesworth |
| The nasen Award for Co-production with Children and Young People and their Families, sponsored by The Seashell Trust | The Grove Pastoral Team in Haringey |
| Young Person/Youth (up to 25 years) Achievement Award, sponsored by Neurodiversity Networks CIC | Hope Whittaker, aged 9, from South London |
| SEND Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by National Education Union | Colin May from Torbay |
| Learning Support Staff Member of the Year Award, sponsored by Axcis Education | Carla Baker from Bournemouth |
| nasen Teacher of the Year Award, sponsored by Equazen | Abed Ahmed from Birmingham |
| The Innovation Award for Technology, sponsored by Scanning Pens | IDLS in Lancaster |
| The David Ryan Publication Award – in honour of late nasen trustee, David Ryan, sponsored by Maths For Life | Dr Niamh Mourton from Derby |
| The International Provision of the Year Award, sponsored by Institute of Child Education & Psychology (ICEP) Europe | Steps with Theera in Thailand |
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