Education Today Education Today Magazine
Supporting Education Group (SEG) has appointed Liz Murray as its first SEND Director.
She joins Supporting Education Group – one of the UK’s largest education services businesses – from Star Academies, where she had been Director of SEND since 2021.
Supporting Education Group works alongside schools and trusts to enhance their SEND provision through a range of services and expertise. These include specialist SEND staff and tutors, training and CPD for staff and whole school SEND strategy support to help schools and trusts improve provision planning, funding allocation and outcomes tracking.
“One of my ambitions is to make Supporting Education Group the go-to partner for trust leaders in solving the big challenges we now have in the world of SEND and inclusion,” said Liz.
“There have always been children with complex needs in our schools, and schools have always had to work creatively and collaboratively with partners, families and services to support those pupils but the reality over the past 10 years has become significantly more challenging.
“It is now a highly pressurised and constantly evolving landscape. Innovation, creativity, collaboration and courage will be pivotal in addressing these challenges, and SEG is here to play its part.”
She added: “I want SEG to empower transformational SEND leadership in our schools and trusts by creating an expert-informed space in which leaders can learn, connect and innovate.”
Liz began her 25-year education career as a secondary English teacher in London, becoming a head of department and then qualifying as a SENCo and taking on a range of high-level inclusion leadership roles. As Director of SEND at Star Academies Liz, led SEND strategy and provision across the trust’s 37 schools.
She has also worked with the National Institute of Teaching and the Department of Education on the development of SEND professional qualifications.
Caroline Cheale, CEO of Supporting Education Group, said: “With the appointment of a highly respected and experienced SEND leader in the form of Liz Murray, Supporting Education Group will be even better placed in its mission to support trusts, schools and local authorities as they strive in the face of a range of challenges to provide inclusive, high-quality education for pupils with SEND.”
