top of page

The Inaugural Conference

Monday, 13 April 2026

8h

​

09:30

191 Fazeley St, Deritend, Birmingham B5 5SE, UK

Description

NAISA will launch at a national conference in April, bringing together school leaders, sector professionals, and partners. The conference will include:

- Keynote contributions
- Opportunities for discussion and networking
- A workshop about the new Ofsted inspection framework
- A session led by the Senior HMI for independent schools and a Specialist Adviser HMI
- Time to explore the future direction of NAISA

Booking

Standard
£ 150

Speakers

Session Leader

Asherah Rose

Headteacher & Executive SENCo

Asherah Rose is a former Headteacher and Executive SENDCo with over 20 years' experience in education. She has led whole-school inclusion, supported complex EHCP implementation, and worked closely with Local Authorities to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Her experience spans mainstream, Alternative Provision, and non-association independent school settings, giving her a broad and practical understanding of the different contexts in which SEND provision is delivered. Asherah is the founder of QSEN Training Academy CIC and creator of HomEdTech Assist, an AI-powered platform designed to translate EHCPs into practical, day-to-day teaching, learning, and assessment strategies. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between statutory plans and real-world delivery, particularly in settings navigating high levels of need with limited capacity. As part of her work, she shares practical demonstrations of how technology can support educators and families to operationalise EHCPs in real time. She is passionate about equitable education, early intervention, and empowering educators and parents with the tools and confidence to deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for every learner.
LinkedIn_edited.png
Facebook_edited.png
NAISA_webIcon_edited.png

Session Leader

Dr Abide Zenenga

Proprietor & Headteacher

Dr Abide Zenenga is a prominent educationalist and the Executive Headteacher of Riverside Education Group which owns Riverside Virtual Education, an Ofsted registered Online specialist alternative education provider. With over 25 years of experience in the field, he is particularly known for his work with young people who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). He advocates for universal access to education hence the establishment of the Virtual College to cater for young people who cannot physically access education. Inspired by his own experience as a father to a child with autism, he advocates for accessible, high-quality education for vulnerable young people.
LinkedIn_edited.png
Facebook_edited.png
NAISA_webIcon_edited.png

Session Support

Matthew Vellensworth

Ofsted's Specialist Adviser for Non-Association Independent Schools

Matthew is an HMI in the North East, Yorkshire and Humber region. He worked as a secondary school teacher across Yorkshire for over 20 years before joining Ofsted. He has experience of inspection across the schools remit, including in independent schools. He has recently joined the specialist adviser team where he works with colleagues on independent school inspections. In addition, he has oversight of the monitoring work that Ofsted carries out on behalf of the department for education's British Schools Overseas accreditation.
LinkedIn_edited.png
Facebook_edited.png
NAISA_webIcon_edited.png

Session Leader

Philippa Darley

Ofsted's Senior HMI for Non-association Independent Schools

Philippa is a qualified teacher, having worked for 12 years in secondary education, including as an advanced skills teacher and local authority coordinator for educating the most able. Before joining Ofsted, Philippa worked for a national trust and local authority, supporting school improvement. She is an experienced inspector of secondary, primary and special schools. Philippa is Ofsted's Senior HMI with responsibility for inspections of non-association independent schools nationally. She works on the central school's policy team and was responsible for developing the renewed inspection framework for non-association independent schools.
LinkedIn_edited.png
Facebook_edited.png
NAISA_webIcon_edited.png

Panel Member

Craig McKee

Founder of SLT.AI | Former Headteacher | Former School Governor

With over 20 years' experience in education, Craig has demonstrated exceptional leadership at every level. His track record includes serving as Deputy Head and contributing to a school's journey from "Good" to "Outstanding" in their Ofsted inspection, and achieving National Teaching School status. As a former Chair of Governors, he has again supported a school's transformation to "Outstanding" in their 2023 inspection. Throughout his career as a Deputy Head Teacher in a Teaching School and Head Teacher within an Academy Trust, Craig has championed school improvement through: • Designing and delivering impactful CPD programmes • Conducting peer reviews to support school self-evaluation • Collaborating with the Department for Education (DfE) on National Curriculum exemplification materials (2014) • Participating in expert groups at the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) to develop SATs assessments
LinkedIn_edited.png
Facebook_edited.png
NAISA_webIcon_edited.png

Speaker & Facilitator

Ellen Mukwewa

FCCT FSET MEd

I am an experienced independent school leader and consultant with extensive knowledge of the non-association independent school sector. I have supported a wide range of schools with quality assurance, regulatory compliance, inspection readiness and sustainable school improvement. I am deeply committed to peer-led collaboration and to creating professional spaces where school leaders can reflect openly, build confidence and strengthen practice beyond inspection cycles. I like a cream tea (fruit scone, clotted cream, raspberry jam) ​ Tea? Yorkshire Tea, semi-skimmed milk, no sugar
LinkedIn_edited.png
Facebook_edited.png
NAISA_webIcon_edited.png

Speaker & Facilitator

Michelle Baker

BEd Hons, NPQEL

I am an experienced Senior Leader and have worked in education for over two decades. I have worked across mainstream secondary schools, free school alternative provision and non-association independent schools, specialising in supporting young people with SEN and SEMH. Most recently, I set up a school from scratch, which has been extremely successful. ​ I am passionate and dedicated to providing the best education and pastoral support to all pupils, helping them achieve success in all areas and providing strong foundations for their futures. I like a cream tea (plain scone, strawberry jam). Tea? PG Tips, whole milk, two sugars
LinkedIn_edited.png
Facebook_edited.png
NAISA_webIcon_edited.png

Opening Keynote

Sarah Johnson

International Keynote Speaker | Government Advisor | SEND Audit & Inclusion Specialist | Author of Books on Social Emotional Mental Health & Behaviour

Sarah Johnson works with Jarvis Education to deliver school improvement support across the sector. She is an experienced educational leader, consultant and author specialising in behaviour, emotional wellbeing and inclusive practice. With over 20 years' experience across mainstream schools, Pupil Referral Units, Alternative Provision and mental health settings, Sarah supports schools and trusts in developing effective behaviour systems and inclusive environments for vulnerable learners. She also delivers training, keynote presentations and advisory support nationally and internationally.
LinkedIn_edited.png
Facebook_edited.png
NAISA_webIcon_edited.png

Panel Member

Dionne Jude

Founder | Building solutions to help people learn, grow and succeed | Edtech Systems Architect | Board Trustee | Ex-Headteacher | Author | Agentic Coding Enthusiast

Dionne is an education leader, consultant, trustee, and founder specialising in SEND, inclusion, and school improvement. As a former headteacher and trusted advisor, she works directly with schools to improve outcomes, strengthen behaviour systems, and secure effective safeguarding practice. She has a strong interest in AI and its role in transforming education, and is the founder of FIIT Learning, an AI-led model focused on personalised learning and access. Dionne is known for turning strategy into action, helping leaders implement solutions that deliver measurable change. Her range of projects can be found at https://dionnejude.com
LinkedIn_edited.png
Facebook_edited.png
NAISA_webIcon_edited.png

Keynote Speaker

Jaz Ampaw-Farr

International Motivational Speaker | Author | Human-first Care-experienced Positive Disruptor

Jaz Ampaw-Farr is a multi-award-winning international speaker, author of Because of You, This Is Me, and one of the UK’s most sought-after motivational voices. From surviving abuse and foster care to becoming a TEDx speaker, BBC commentator, and stand-up performer at the Edinburgh Festival, Jaz inspires global audiences with humour, humanity, and hard-won wisdom. Her documentary Re-Story Your Life was selected for Diversity in Cannes, and she’s in the Speakers Hall of Fame. As co-founder of Be Human First Ltd, she empowers leaders to lead with courage and connection. Jaz doesn’t just talk—she transforms.
LinkedIn_edited.png
Facebook_edited.png
NAISA_webIcon_edited.png

Panel Member

Peter Moseley

Account Manager at Building Spatial Intelligence

Peter Moseley has spent the last 30 years working in Education. After beginning his career with 12 years as a primary school teacher, his interest in how technology can enhance learning led him into the EdTech sector. Over the past 20 years, he has worked with leading global EdTech companies to help schools maximise the impact of digital tools. Peter has a particular passion for how AI will empower both teachers and learners, creating more efficient, engaging, and future ready educational experiences.
LinkedIn_edited.png
Facebook_edited.png
NAISA_webIcon_edited.png

Workshop Facilitator

Stephen Long

International School Improvement Consultant | SEND Tutor

Stephen has 37 years’ experience of working in education as a teacher, senior leader, consultant and local authority senior education officer. Stephen’s significant experience as a practising Ofsted inspector since 2017 ensures that he is fully up to date with inspection practice and developments in education.
LinkedIn_edited.png
Facebook_edited.png
NAISA_webIcon_edited.png

Travel Information


For those travelling by train, Fazeley Studios is...

A 10 minute walk from Birmingham Moor Street Station

A 19 minute walk from Birmingham New Street/  10 minute taxi ride

​​

For those travelling by coach, Fazeley Studios is...

A 10 minute walk from Birmingham Coach Station

​

For those travelling by car, Fazeley Studios is...

A 3 minute walk from Fazeley Street Car Park, 159 Fazeley St, Deritend, Birmingham B5 5RT

An 8-minute walk from Digbeth Court Car Park, 162 High St, Deritend, Birmingham B12 0LD

An 8 minute walk from Zellig Car Park, Deritend, Birmingham B9 4AT

logo_transparent_noText_normal.png

NAISA

Copyright ©2025 Non-association Independent School Alliance Ltd. A not-for-profit organisation. Registered in England and Wales as a company limited by guarantee (No. 16905146). All rights reserved.

bottom of page