Our consultants

Peter Gray worked as an LEA officer for 16 years, latterly as Principal Educational Psychologist for Nottinghamshire County Council and, on an acting basis, Senior Assistant Director (Pupil & Community Services). Since 1997, he has worked nationally as a consultant to local and national government on a range of issues relating to policy and provision for children with special educational needs (including emotional and behavioural difficulties).

Peter is currently Chair of Policy Subcommittee for NASEN (the National Association for Special Educational Needs) and a member of the steering group for the London University Institute of Education SEN Policy Options seminars.

Sue Leyden was, for over 10 years, inspector for special educational needs in Nottinghamshire, working previously as an educational psychologist. She is an accredited Ofsted inspector and has led and participated in many inspections in primary, secondary and special schools. She has planned and led numerous large and small-scale reviews into educational provision and organisation and conducted research into provision for particular needs at national level.

Since working as an educational consultant over the last 3 years, she has supported schools and senior managers in developing provision in school and in reviewing the effectiveness of their work. Sue is an accredited performance management consultant.

Our associates

Gervase Leyden has extensive experience as an educational psychologist, working for several years as Academic and Professional tutor to the Nottingham University EP professional training course. He has made a number of notable contributions to the development of EPS practice at national level. He has had a long-term interest in the contribution of psychology to organisational development (particularly with regard to violence in schools) and is also a qualified Occupational Psychologist. He is also well-known for his interest in the development of inclusion; a field in which he has both national and international experience.

Jackie Dearden worked as a deputy head teacher and SENCo in one of the largest primary schools in Nottingham before training as an educational psychologist. She is currently Senior EP (Social Services) with Nottingham City LEA. Her interests include peer support systems such as mentoring with a particular focus on young people in public care.

Our conference advisers

Lynne Blount works as Senior Advisory Teacher (Behaviour) for Essex County Council, supporting schools in developing effective systems and approaches that promote inclusive practice. She was previously Team Leader for the Essex Primary Behaviour Support Service.

Jamie Skeldon is Head of the Behaviour Support Service in Shropshire.

Michael McKean is Education Officer (Behaviour Support) for Dumfries & Galloway Council.

Yvonne Wright is Head of Clackmannanshire's Secondary School Support Service.

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