nasen Award 2023 winners announced!
16 recipients celebrated for transforming the lives of children and young people with SEND and learning differences
In the seventh, annual nasen Awards, 16 schools, individuals and organisations were recognised for their outstanding work to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and learning differences to reach their full potential.
The inspiring ceremony, held at the Grand Hotel Birmingham on Friday (6th October 2023), was hosted by nasen – the National Association for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities – and supported by official media sponsors, tes. nasen is a charitable membership organisation that exists to support and champion those working with, and for, children and young people with SEND and learning differences.
Chief Executive of nasen, Annamarie Hassall MBE said:
“This year we received the greatest number of nominations, telling us of deserving schools, colleges, settings and individuals that are working together to make a difference for children and young people.
“All our winners, and those nominated, are true role models , shaping practice in their setting, whilst leading and inspiring others. They exemplify what is making a difference for learners with SEND and most of all, for inclusion. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our judges, sponsors, and media partner for helping us celebrate these truly remarkable individuals, teams and organisations.”
The nasen 2023 Award winners are:
| Award | Winner |
| Alternative Provision of the Year Award, sponsored by Sensational Tutors | Chadsgrove School Support Services – Pathways Team, Bromsgrove |
| Changemaker of the Year, sponsored by Rockerbox News | Hannah Walton, One/Third Project, West Midlands |
| Co-production Initiative of the Year, sponsored by The Seashell Trust | Emily Rushton and BHJS Neurodiversity Champions, Bromley |
| Early Years Provision of the Year, sponsored by Nursery World | University of Bradford Nursery, Bradford |
| Further Education (FE) Provision, sponsored by Seashell Trust | Derwen College, Derwen, Shropshire |
| Innovation in the Field of Inclusion, sponsored by Concero | Highland Deaf Education Services, Scotland |
| The International Provision of the Year Award, sponsored by IDL | Neurodiversity at Work Research Centre, Thailand |
| Leader or Leadership Team of the Year Award, sponsored by National Education Union | Andrew Poole, Everton Free School, Liverpool |
| Primary Provision of the Year, sponsored by Axcis Education | Sir Alex Fleming Primary School, Telford |
| Secondary Provision of the Year, sponsored by Secondary Language Link | The Ruth Gorse Academy, Leeds |
| Specialist Provision of the Year, sponsored by The Edwin Group | NHS England Choices College, Yorkshire |
| Support Practitioner of the Year, sponsored by Whole School SEND | Rob Carroll, Barnet and Southgate College, Barnet |
| Teacher of the Year Award, sponsored by Scanning Pens | Gary Whall, formerly of Bristnall Hall Academy, Oldbury, Sandwell |
| The David Ryan Award for Positive Media Impact– in honour of late nasen trustee, David Ryan, sponsored by nasen Connect | Georgina Durrant, Author and Podcaster, Cheshire |
| Young Advocate of the Year (aged 16 and under), sponsored by Cosmo by Filisia | Finn Anderson-Hendra, Dwight School, London |
| Young Advocate of the Year (aged 17 and over), sponsored by Christie and Co | Maham Butt, Hopwood Hall College, Manchester |
One of nasen’s 16 winners was Hannah Walton, who won the Changemaker Award for her work supporting 16-25-year-olds via the One/Third Project. Advocating for educational equality and accessibility, Hannah’s endless work has transformed the lives of young individuals with SEND who have experienced disrupted education, working with them to build their confidence, achieve academic success and develop vital life skills to thrive. In addition to the support provided to hundreds of young people across the West Midlands, Hannah runs workshops, outreach initiatives and social action projects to break down barriers and ensure no one is left behind.
Another inspiring winner was Emily Rushton and Bromley High Junior School’s ‘Neurodiversity Champions’ who won the Co-production Initiative of the Year. Emily facilitated the project that sees a committee of Year 3-6 pupils take on the role of ‘champions’ of SEND in their school, working together to make real change. The committee has organised Makaton classes, started an art initiative, and even held a dyspraxia disco, complete with lights and dance tutorials, all whilst providing senior leaders with constant feedback and ideas on what needs to change. The pilot has been so successful that Emily has since expanded the project within the wider Girls Day School Trust and is recruiting neurodiversity champions across all the schools!
For more information on the nasen Awards, and to find out more about the winners, visit: www.nasen.org.uk/awards or follow #nasenAwards2023
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