In this special episode, Catherine McCluskey, Paul Schofield, and Roo Stenning from St Andrews International School in Bangkok discuss their recognition as the International Provision of the Year at the nasen Awards. They highlight the school's commitment to inclusivity, emphasising that every child's potential is valued and supported.

Catherine notes that the award recognises the hard work of the school community over the past 20 years, with a focus on ensuring all students, including those with special educational needs, are integrated and thrive. Paul elaborates on the importance of community and social interaction, asserting that inclusion benefits all students by fostering empathy and collaboration.

Roo adds that the school aims to continuously improve its practices to meet the diverse needs of its students. The team emphasises the significance of a positive school culture where happiness is a core value, promoting an environment where students are supported not only academically but also socially and emotionally.

They encourage other schools to embrace inclusive practices, demonstrating that it is possible to create a supportive and thriving educational environment for all students. The conversation reflects a strong belief in the impact of inclusivity on both individual students and the broader school community.

About Catherine

A passionate, highly skilled and outstanding senior leader within the international inclusive education sector. My teaching, and special educational needs experience, is vast and varied, having worked in Grammar, rural high schools, alternative provision and resource bases, specialist provision, and mainstream inner-city comprehensives. Having been a SENCo since 2007, I moved from London in August 2022 to take up position as Director of Whole School Learning Support, at St. Andrews International School, Bangkok. Since joining, and within my first two years in post, I have led on achieving the Inclusion Quality Mark Award - Centre of Excellence Accreditation, as well as the school being awarded the NASEN International Provision of the Year Award 2024 for exceptional special educational needs and disabilities provision.

As an experienced and highly respected and skilled practitioner, I am hugely passionate about supporting adults and young people through the minefield that is identifying accurate, appropriate, and suitable SEND provision, support, and resources, as well as advising on policy changes and inclusive pedagogy.

After receiving my first accreditation as an SSAT Lead Practitioner in SEND in June 2017, I went on to gain my National Award in Special Educational Needs Co-Ordination, and successfully re-accredited to SSAT for a further 3 years in 2020. An outstanding special educational needs teacher and Senior Leader, I am also a Level 3 Designated Safeguarding Lead and Team Teach Level 1 and 2 accredited trainer.

I have delivered CPD workshops, designed conferences for teachers, ran bespoke workshops for young people with external providers and companies, supported teachers in other countries (most recently Thailand, Tanzania, Jakarta and Vietnam for Nord Anglia Education, and Rwanda and Kenya through the Inspiring Teachers Charity) designed and ran parent workshops, supported independent companies to become more inclusive and welcoming, performed audits and policy reviews, and much much more. As an NAE EDIB Champion for my current school, I am supporting and working alongside other schools in our global community to share understanding, policy review, audits, and training on neuroinclusive pedagogy.

Finally, as a dual neurodivergent adult, I have the added insight of personal experience of how life can be as a child, and adult, with undiagnosed SEND needs, and the challenges this can present at all stages of life.

In my downtime I love my 'heinz57' Thai street dog, my retired rescued ex-thoroughbred racehorse, and scuba diving.

About Paul

Head of School at St Andrews International School for over 20 years. Our school has always worked to be fully inclusive taking children with a huge range of learning challenges. We started with 110 students, with 11 in High School. Currently we have 2,400 students, with 1,400 in High School. Our school has a wonderful school community which hugely support all aspects of our school's life.

About Roo

Roo has been teaching different combinations of Geography, History, Maths and Theory of Knowledge in London, Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok for over 30 years, as well as having a number of other positions of responsibility - PSHE Coordinator, Head of Year, Deputy Head (Pastoral), Deputy Head (Curriculum) and now Head of High School (11-18).

Outside of school he spends far too much time still thinking about Education, either on Twitter (@MrRooBKK) or reading books or articles. He also loves to read books about topics related to Geography or TOK, which between them cover most of the world, to watch films and to watch Arsenal win.

Contact Catherine

https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-mccluskey-445100183/

Contact Paul

https://www.facebook.com/standrewsbangkok

pschofield@standrews.ac.th

Contact Roo

https://www.facebook.com/standrewsbangkok

About the nasen awards

The nasen awards celebrate outstanding contributions to the education and support of children and young people with SEND. These annual awards recognise individuals, schools, and organisations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusive education and the advancement of SEND practices.

nasen is a charitable organisation that supports children and young people with SEND. nasen's goals include Influencing government policy, providing information, training and resources to support practitioners and contributing to the debate and effecting change to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Useful Links

nasen website

nasen events and CPD

nasen live conference

nasen Awards

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