Jackie Smith

I am standing for election to become an Advisory Board Member, as an experienced Leader who has extensive expertise in enabling access for SEND Children and Young People (CYP) across all phases and both in mainstream and specialist settings. I am committed to navigating the increasingly challenging SEND landscape and to actively promoting inclusion through a solution focused approach. I firmly believe in "doing things differently and together", collaboration and co-production are key requirements in successfully delivering meaningful outcomes for all CYP.
I started my career in a secondary mainstream classroom before building up a long pedigree in SEND. I am now the CEO of the well-established Brunel MAT, which has six SEND Education Provisions, well-established mainstream outreach services and its subsidiary company, Brunel Education, established to operate Horizons College, a Specialist Post-16 Institution. I am also CEO of Uplands Enterprise Trust (UET), a charitable company which was established to provide meaningful work skills and life chances for young people with disabilities once they have finished their statutory education.
I am passionate about ensuring exceptional education, outcomes and inclusion opportunities and actively foster positive outcomes for all Children and Young People through advocating at various local and regional forums.