Director of Safeguarding and SEND, Thomas Rowell champions inclusive, high-quality education, supporting leaders to help every child and staff member thrive. Q1: What does “being the best we can be” mean to you? To me, being the best we can be means being the best we can be for everyone in our community. I’m driven by a desire to ensure that every individual has opportunities for excellence, and that no one is left out. Inclusion isn’t an add-on — it’s fundamental. Q2: What inspired you to apply for your current role? I was genuinely excited by the opportunity to make a difference for so many people. The chance to help more children access the amazing education available in our schools and nurseries was incredibly motivating. I’m passionate about supporting our talented team of colleagues across all our schools to improve in every area — and for every child. For me, it’s about helping leaders develop and thrive within their own school communities. Q3: How do you support schools with these growing needs? I enjoy working alongside school leaders, especially SEN Coordinators and Safeguarding Leads, offering guidance through complex situations. At the heart of it all are the children and families we serve, and it’s rewarding to see professionals grow, foster inclusion, and remove barriers to learning. Q4: What are some of the biggest obstacles schools are facing? We are working against a backdrop of tight school funding and limited resources, which makes it even harder to meet rising levels of need in mainstream education. However, our belief remains firm: children must be at the centre of everything we do. To continue delivering high-quality provision, we have to be creative, innovative, and deeply compassionate in our approach. Q5: What are you looking forward to in the coming years? I’m excited to see our schools continue to be beacons of inclusion — places where parents choose to send their children because they know they’ll receive the best possible education. I hope to see a system where parents no longer feel they have to fight for support, but instead feel confident that their child is truly at the centre. I’m also excited about developments in the local area, and the role that BEST schools can play in being part of the local solution. Inclusion and Opportunity at the Heart of Every Child’s Journey 10 11 BEST School Improvement Team “At the heart of it all are the children and families we serve, and it’s rewarding to see professionals grow, foster inclusion, and remove barriers to learning..” Meet our team Thomas Rowell Director of SEND & Safeguarding Joanne Boniface Director of Science Alan Stupple Director of Maths Amy Morris Director of English Cheryl Hargraves Director of Professional Development Alison Wilshaw Director of Education National Leader of Education At BEST, our School Improvement Team sits at the centre of our mission to “grow the BEST in everyone.” Through expert guidance, collaboration, and high-quality professional development, the team enhances teaching and learning across our 11 schools and five nurseries, as well as supporting partner schools across the county. Led by our Director of Education, AlisonWilshaw, the teambrings together highly qualified specialists dedicated to ensuring every child receives excellent teaching, strong support, and the best opportunities to thrive. Our work includes strategic leadership and rigorous quality assurance, with School Improvement Partners providing tailored guidance and monitoring to ensure school priorities result in meaningful impact. We offer bespoke school review packages, including Teaching and Learning Reviews and subject audits, helping schools celebrate strengths and address areas for development. Professional development sits at the heart of our offer, from Early Career Teacher support to advanced leadership pathways that build confidence, expertise, and long-term capacity. We also train the next generation of teachers through our “Train to Teach” programme. Beyond our trust, we contribute to the wider education community through partnerships, commissioned support, and the sharing of best practice. By championing innovation and evidence-informed practice, our team ensures schools are equipped for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
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