About Me

As Director of Inclusive Learning North, Zena seeks to bring to it the best research, practice, resources and expertise in both SEND and wider aspects of inclusion, from around the UK and beyond. Zena’s recent projects include the development of ILOP and the New2SENCO course, along with partnerships with TSAs and school clusters. She presented as a keynote speaker at the 2018 Westminster SEND Briefing and leads training for British and International Schools in Dubai. She was Editor in Chief of the magazine ‘Inclusion in Focus’ and part of the editorial team for ‘Early Years Legal’. Zena also works as an associate SENCO and consultant to primary schools in the north, utilising her experience in both inclusion leadership and SpLD expertise. She is an associate lecturer with Edge Hill University and, previously, Manchester Metropolitan University. She tutors on, and reviews, the National SENCO Award, as well as the Postgraduate Certificate in Inclusion and SEN. Zena’s extensive knowledge and experience enable her to maintain a perceptive working understanding of what schools require to meet the needs of all pupils. Equally, her relationship with schools allows her to knit together best practice for the benefit of all. Zena has previously been involved in an EU project in Malta, training junior and kindergarten teachers in literacy and differentiation, and worked with an International School in Sweden. She has delivered training courses throughout the UK on a range of subjects in inclusion and SEND. Previously, Zena worked as a SENCO, Inclusion Manager and Deputy Head Teacher. During this time, she gained specialist teaching skills, in addition to the NPQH. Her primary school teaching experience was in Manchester, Rochdale and Salford. When Zena is not working, she can usually be found sailing her dinghy at racing events!