- Reading, with an interest in wellbeing, leadership, and personal development
- Walking and maintaining an active lifestyle
- Wellbeing and work–life balance
- Spending quality time with family and friends
Lisa Henshall
Alsager,Cheshire
Summary
Values‑led senior leader with extensive experience in SEND, inclusion, safeguarding, and pastoral leadership. Over the past three years, I have led the development of sustainable, trust‑wide systems across 23 schools in four local authorities, embedding inclusion and belonging as core drivers of school improvement. My work is underpinned by the belief that inclusive systems are fundamental to improving outcomes for every child.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
SEND Strategic Lead
St Bart's Multi ACademy Trust
Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire
09.2023 - Current
Strategic Leadership & System Improvement
- Work strategically with the Director of Education to improve SEND outcomes
- Identify, evaluate, and disseminate best practice locally, nationally, and internationally to strengthen SEND provision across the Trust
- Advise and support on all aspects of SEND governance at academy and trust level
- Report to central team and trustees on the collation, analysis, and interpretation of trust‑wide SEND data
- Ensure academies are compliant with statutory requirements of the SEND Code of Practice
- Develop and implement the system for peer send reviews, co‑producing SEND reports and action plans
- Support leadership and inclusion teams with SEND action planning and evaluation of provision and impact
- Provide expert advice to SENCOs regarding the EHCP process and associated legislative requirements
- Advise principals, SENCOs, and leadership and inclusion teams on the identification and assessment of pupils with barriers to learning, including SEND
- Provide guidance on high‑quality classroom provision, interventions, and inclusive practice
- Provide advice and support to academies on effective provision mapping
- Design and deliver SEND training for SENCOs and wider academy staff
- Lead and facilitate regional SENCO networks to promote collaboration and shared practice including SEND and mental health
- Provide structured induction and ongoing support for new SENCOs, including establishing mentoring links with experienced practitioners
- Attend relevant CPD and disseminate key learning and statutory updates to academies
Assistant Hedateacher
Alsager Highfields Primary School
Alsager, Cheshire
09.2006 - 07.2023
Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral / Inclusion Focus)
- Provided strategic leadership for pastoral care, inclusion, and wellbeing across the school
- Contributed to whole‑school improvement planning, policy development, and self‑evaluation
- Line‑managed pastoral, SEND, and safeguarding staff, ensuring consistency and high standards of practice
- Worked alongside senior leaders to improve attendance, behaviour, and outcomes for vulnerable pupils
- Led whole‑school initiatives to strengthen inclusive culture and pupil support systems
- Held overall responsibility for safeguarding and child protection, ensuring compliance with statutory guidance
- Oversaw safeguarding systems and processes, including referrals, record‑keeping, and multi‑agency working
- Provided advice and guidance to staff on safeguarding concerns, thresholds, and reporting procedures
- Led safeguarding training for staff and ensured up‑to‑date practice across the school
- Acted as the key liaison with social care, the local authority, and external agencies
- Led SEND identification, assessment, and provision in line with the SEND Code of Practice
- Managed EHCP processes, including advice writing, annual reviews, and liaison with families and professionals
- Supported teachers to implement high‑quality inclusive classroom practice and targeted interventions
- Analysed SEND data to evaluate provision, monitor progress, and inform improvement planning
- Worked closely with parents, pupils, and external professionals to improve outcomes
- Coordinated provision and monitoring for Looked After and Previously Looked After Children
- Led Personal Education Plans (PEPs), ensuring statutory compliance and high‑quality target setting
- Advocated for vulnerable pupils, ensuring their needs were prioritised and well supported
- Worked closely with virtual schools, social workers, and carers to improve attendance, engagement, and outcomes
- Monitored progress and wellbeing, implementing timely interventions where required
- Led pastoral systems supporting pupil wellbeing, behaviour, attendance, and emotional regulation
- Developed targeted support plans for vulnerable pupils, including those with SEND and SEMH needs
- Supported pupils and families through emotionally challenging circumstances
- Worked collaboratively with teachers, families, and external agencies to remove barriers to learning
- Implemented preventative and early‑intervention approaches to reduce escalation of need
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Primary Education
Manchester Metroplitan University
Crewe01-2006
A-Levels - Environmental Science
Newcastle under Lyme College
Newcastle under Lyme01-1993
A-Levels - English Literature
Newcastle under Lyme College
Newcastle under Lyme01-1993
A-Levels - Psychology
Newcastle under Lyme College
Newcastle under Lyme01-1993
Skills
- Strategic leadership
- SEND governance
- Data analysis
- Compliance management
- Multi-agency collaboration
- Policy development
- Communication skills
Certification
- NASENCO
- Senior Mental Health Lead
- SEND Law (IPSEA)
- Relational, Restorative Practice – Train the Trainer
- Mental Health First Aid
- Attention Autism
- Safeguarding (Level 3 DSL – previously held)
- Prevent and Safeguarding Level 1
- NPQH (partially completed)
Interests
Timeline
SEND Strategic Lead
St Bart's Multi ACademy Trust
09.2023 - Current
Assistant Hedateacher
Alsager Highfields Primary School
09.2006 - 07.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Primary Education
Manchester Metroplitan University
A-Levels - Environmental Science
Newcastle under Lyme College
A-Levels - English Literature
Newcastle under Lyme College
A-Levels - Psychology
Newcastle under Lyme College