Anne works with a carefully selected network of experienced associates, bringing together complementary expertise across SEND, inclusion, education and organisational development.
Each associate offers their own specialist knowledge and practical experience, allowing the right expertise to be brought into each project when needed. Together, they provide a flexible, collaborative approach focused on creating meaningful and sustainable outcomes for the organisations they support.
Anne Hayward is a former Headteacher, registered (Lead) Ofsted and FEFC (College) Inspector (1993-2004), the DfE Consultant (1999 – 2005) for Learning Mentors, Learning Support Units and for Special Schools and SEND Specialist Status. She was the European Union Consultant 2003 – 2010 for Inclusion and worked in Cambodia, Romania, Turkey, and Mauritius.
In 2006, her much acclaimed book ‘Making Inclusion Happen’ was voted by the Time Educational Supplement as book of the week.
Anne has worked for a substantial number of LAs over the past 30 years and is currently a DfE Commissioned Adviser for SEND and a former Internal Adviser to the DfE for SEND
She is leading the Graduated Approach through the SEND Thresholds, Transition and Vocational Pathways in Key Stage 4 for Gateshead, Middlesbrough and a number of other LAs including the City of London. She also works for the National Development Team for Inclusion 19-25 years focusing on supported internships and getting young people with SEND into paid employment.
She is a school improvement partner for mainstream schools, special schools, and independent specialist providers. Anne works across and with multi-disciplinary partners, 0-25 and is a former Chair of SEND Panels in the Northeast and leader of many SENDCO networks in London, East Midlands, the North East and Yorkshire and Humber.
She is an accomplished trainer and is regularly called upon to deliver whole school, LA specific training in specialist SEND areas including Preparation for Adulthood and whole school and LA strategic development. She has reviewed a wide number of specialist support services in the NE, Midlands, London and Yorkshire and Humber.
She works at the grass roots and at strategic LA and DfE levels. She has Chaired SEND ‘think tanks’ and is abreast of current research, including The Change Programme and best practice nationally.
Anne collaborates closely with Parent Carer Partnerships and Youth Forums and is fully involved in ways of eliciting the pupil and parent voice, co-production with families and ensuring that LAs are statutory compliant and have quality provision in all aspects of their work in SEND.
She is has led a mini Peer Reviews on ‘How inclusive are our settings?’ and the ‘Fair Access Panels’ for the Regional Yorkshire and Humber Group for SEND. Anne has led many sessions for the Region on Additional Resource Bases, developing an effective SEND SEF, Preparation for Adulthood from a family and young person’s viewpoint and embedding the Graduated Approach.
She is leading reviews into sufficiency planning, Fair Access Panels, Additional Resource Bases, Designation of Special Schools, Vocational Pathways for YP in KS4, the development of Independent Travel Training and Children Missing Education for several LAs.
Joanne is a qualified teacher with over 32 years’ experience in senior roles across schools and Local Authorities, with a strong track record in SEND leadership, statutory assessment and service improvement.
She now runs her own SEND consultancy, working with Local Authorities, schools and Multi Academy Trusts to strengthen systems, improve practice and support better outcomes for children, young people and families. She also coaches and mentors SENCOs and senior leadership teams on SEND, inclusion and emerging DfE reforms.
Joanne is also a governor of an SEMH special school, a qualified mediator and a British Psychological Society registered assessor, qualified to assess children and young people for Exam Access Arrangements.
Kay is a highly experienced education leader with more than 30 years’ experience across special education, mainstream education, academy trusts and Local Authorities, including Headteacher, Executive Headteacher, CEO and Ofsted Inspector roles.
She has extensive expertise in SEND strategy, school improvement, organisational transformation, governance and academy trust development, and has led major programmes of change including mergers and academisation.
Kay now works as an education consultant, supporting Local Authorities, academy trusts and schools with SEND reviews, leadership and organisational improvement, alongside coaching and mentoring senior leaders.
Lesley is an education and governance project management specialist with over fourteen years’ experience across the public and private sectors.
A qualified PRINCE2 Practitioner, she has successfully managed projects including the establishment of Multi Academy Trusts, delivery of new schools and development of capital funding bids. She also provides strategic governance support, including independent governance reviews and clerking solutions.
Lesley is particularly skilled at managing complex projects, balancing competing stakeholder demands and building strong working relationships. Her collaborative approach ensures projects are delivered efficiently while reflecting each organisation’s ethos, priorities and way of working.
Sarah is an experienced Programme Director and SEND transformation specialist with over 20 years’ board-level experience across local government and the NHS.
She has expertise in service redesign, financial recovery, commissioning, governance, inspection readiness and Alternative Provision, leading programmes across education, health and social care to improve performance and outcomes.
Sarah has delivered large-scale transformation programmes for Local Authorities, including SEND reform, service turnaround and new operating models. Her practical, analytical approach helps organisations strengthen systems, improve value for money and embed sustainable, long-term improvement.
Anne Hayward Associates is a UK strategic SEND consultancy helping Local Authorities, schools, academy trusts and partner organisations strengthen inclusive practice and improve outcomes for children and young people.
Through strategic leadership, collaborative working and practical implementation, Anne supports organisations to deliver meaningful, measurable and lasting change.
Registered in England & Wales No. 04669614 | VAT Registration 708705628
Registered in England & Wales No. 04669614
VAT Registration 708705628
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