Gareth D Morewood B.Ed (Hons) MA (Ed)

Gareth D Morewood is Director of Curriculum Support [SENCo] at Priestnall School, Stockport, a large comprehensive secondary school in the north-west of England, awarded an ‘Outstanding’ judgment by Ofsted in June 2011. Prior to that whole-school judgment, SEND provision had regularly been judged as outstanding (2004, 2008 & 2011). He has worked voluntarily supporting parents and carers with SEND legislation and in preparing cases for SENDIST, and is a member of advisory groups for the DfE-hosted ‘senco-forum’ and for nasen. 

In July 2012 Gareth was appointed an Honorary Research Fellow in Education at the University of Manchester and continues to develop research-based support and intervention systems as part of the 'school-offer' whilst maintaining a focus on the wider inclusive agenda.  During the same month Gareth joined the Teaching Agency, now National College for Teaching & Leadership's Expert Reference Group, supporting the developments of SEND elements within Initial Teacher Training.

As a passionate advocate for inclusive education, Gareth has written extensively on his philosophy of inclusive education and provision over the past few years and regularly speaks at and chairs national conferences on provision within mainstream settings for students with complex needs.  Gareth has recently had his first eBook published – The Role of the SENCo: an insider’s guide.

Priestnall School was part of a Manchester University, ESRC funded 4 year study into the inclusion of young people with ASC in mainstream schools and Gareth also supports other Local Authorities and schools on their provision for young people with autism in the mainstream setting, as well as being invited to address students on the University of Birmingham’s autism residential weekends.
 

Gareth is regularly invited to provide professional opinion and advice both locally and nationally on the role of the SENCo and the inclusion of young people with Disabilities & SEN in mainstream settings. Most recently Gareth has been asked to develop whole-school SEND materials as part of a DfE funded nasen/School’s Network 2-year project as a lead SENCo – www.nasentraining.org.uk.
 

In January 2012 Gareth took up a position as a member of an Expert Panel, for Optimus Education’s new online subscription service. Joining a team of professionals from other areas of educational and governance expertise, Gareth leads on inclusion; the role of the SENCo and SEND issues across all areas of education.
 

Gareth is currently working towards a professional doctorate exploring his philosophical, inclusive views of being a SENCo, evidenced through the outcomes of the young people with whom he works.
 

Gareth is able to deliver bespoke training packages as part of his wider national remit as a Lead SENCo and as a passionate believer in the wider inclusive agenda - please make contact via the 'contact tab' or by e-mailing info@gdmorewood.com.