STAR PEOPLE
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Enabling pupils with SEND to flourish LIZ MURRAY, SEND IMPROVEMENT LEAD In this edition of Star People, we talk to Liz Murray who is the trust’s leader with responsibility for supporting schools to provide a first-class education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). An experienced teacher, SENCo and school leader, Liz joined Star Academies in June 2021.
What are the key challenges facing schools as they provide for pupils with SEND? Research shows that while Covid-19 has led to gaps in knowledge for many pupils, the impact of the pandemic has been disproportionate for pupils with SEND. Catch-up is a significant challenge and this means identifying the best ways of supporting children. Many teachers in Star schools do excellent work in adapting their lessons to meet pupils’ individual needs. They often know intuitively the steps they need to take to help pupils make the best possible progress. Nonetheless, there is always work to be done to ensure that staff are trained and confident to support children’s cognitive, physical, social and emotional development. Parents are their children’s first educators. Building strong relationships with the families of children with SEND and helping them to liaise with other services is a significant challenge, particularly at a time when those services are very stretched.
What aspect of your job gives you the greatest satisfaction?
What interests do you have outside of work?
My guiding principle is that young people with SEND should flourish in an inclusive environment in which they are nurtured and challenged. I get satisfaction from seeing this in practice. I know that I am making a positive contribution when I see teachers successfully trying new approaches that lead to children learning happily and overcoming barriers.
The arts are a source of great pleasure. I love going to the theatre and art galleries and am encouraging my 12-year-old daughter to share these pursuits. I’m committed to reducing waste and upcycling projects give the opportunity to develop my creative skills creating products without adding to my carbon footprint. Exercise is an important part of my routine too, especially Pilates and running.
Who was your favourite teacher and why? My drama teacher, Miss Hardcastle, left a lasting impression and helped me to become the person I am. She taught me for GCSE and A level and she instilled a love of theatre that has sustained me ever since. She introduced us to a great range of playwrights and encouraged us to read widely, as well as enjoying live productions. She was genuinely interested in us as individuals with varied talents and I hope that I emulated her when I became a teacher myself.
What are you currently reading? I always have two books on the go, one fiction and one non-fiction. Currently I am enjoying Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers. It’s set in 1950s London and the central character is a female journalist. I’m also reading The Squiggly Career by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis which is very much about taking opportunities as they come and designing a fulfilling career that is linked to your interests rather than being obsessed with the traditional ‘ladder’ approach. I enjoy inspirational literature in which strong protagonists overcome the odds stacked against them.
Key Appointments Lee Waring has been appointed Associate Principal at Bay Leadership Academy Sarfraz Shah has been appointed Principal at Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy, Manchester.
Sumeya Bhikhu has been appointed Associate Principal at Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham. Jonathan Harris has been appointed Principal at Rainbow Primary Leadership Academy. Peter McKee has been appointed to the Star Academies Board of Trustees.
AUTUMN 2021 ISSUE 07
