Simon Bainbridge

Strategic educational leader with 30 years’ experience in specialist and mainstream settings, currently serving as Academy Improvement Lead. Overseeing SEND across 22 schools, driving curriculum design improvements and leading system-wide initiatives, including a SEND redesign project that optimised resource allocation and student outcomes. Dedicated to creating inclusive environments that enhance communication, independence, and life skills for students with complex needs.

• Executive Headteacher / Headteacher / Deputy Headteacher, Specialist Education, Overall leadership of specialist settings supporting pupils with complex and profound needs., Design and implementation of personalised, needs-led and individualised curricula focused on progress and life outcomes., Leadership of multidisciplinary teams including education, care, medical and therapy staff., Championing therapeutic and relational approaches to behaviour., Full accountability for safeguarding, statutory compliance, staffing, and pupil outcomes., Successful leadership through several Ofsted inspections within the School and Further Education frameworks., Managed the new build as Executive Headteacher of a new build special school, working with all stakeholders including Cambs Local Authority in ensuring good funding packages, a realistic growth plan and a great quality educational offer for the learners from their first day.
• Post-19 Provision Development, Highfield Ely, 2019-01-01, Established a high-needs post-19 provision (ages 19–25) in response to an identified gap in social care provision., Designed provision for learners with profound and complex needs, delivering significantly improved outcomes through collaborative working with education, health, and care partners from the Local Authority.