Susan Douglas CBE

CEO, The Eden Academy

Since leaving school headship in 2006, Susan has held a number of key roles with a variety of national and international organisations. She currently shares her time between the Eden Academy Trust and the British Council. As CEO of the Eden Academy Trust, Susan is responsible for its strategic vision and direction. The trust comprises eight schools in West London and the north of England, all of which have been judged as good or outstanding.

Susan was instrumental in the founding and development of the trust which provides education for children aged three-19 with a range of complex needs. In her position as senior advisor at the British Council, Susan provides sector expertise and advice to a wide number of educational programmes involving ministries of education, school leaders and teachers across approximately 40 countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. She has particular interest in leadership and professional development, and inclusion. Susan is a trustee of the National Federation of Educational Research and was made a CBE for services to education in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2021.

1 Breakout sessions: Series one

Creating the SEND provision continuum: opportunities and challenges

Successful reform of the SEND system will depend on strong, proactive collaboration and connection across mainstream, special, and alternative provision. Together, we need to provide flexible pathways to meet more of the needs of our children and young people. In this session, you’ll be involved in the conversation as trust leaders explore the opportunities and challenges of maximising expertise and knowledge from across education, to break down sector silos and build a continuum of SEND provision. Ideal for trust leaders responsible for SEND provision, and those interested in system leadership, including chief executives and directors of education.