ABOUT ME
RICHARD COSFORD
SEND CONSULTANT
Drawing on 35 years of secondary SEND teaching experience in both mainstream and special school environments, I have gained significant expertise as a SENCO, SLT, and Head of the largest Autism Resource Base in the country. In addition to creating this significant provision for 50 autistic students (all with EHCPs), I have previously developed a range of other large and significant proactive provision curriculum models to meet EHCP and SEND needs.
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This extensive experience has given me a deep understanding of the processes involved in determining initial ideas, developing practical solutions to overcome challenges and barriers, and ensuring the successful evolution and evaluation of SEND provisions.
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I have developed the expertise and vision to advise, guide and support educational settings looking to develop their own individual SEND provisions.
Qualified & Practising SEND Teacher over
35 Years
Postgraduate Certificate in Autism (2014)
Experienced SENCO & Senior Leader
Head & Founder of the Largest Autism Resource Base in UK
EXPERIENCE
MAINSTREAM AND SEND TEACHING
I have 35 years of secondary mainstream school and specialist teaching experience, working with children and young adults who have had varying degrees of Special Educational Needs (between the ages of 11 to 19), with many having severe and complex difficulties in mainstream schools in London, Bedfordshire, Birmingham and Southampton and in a special school in Hampshire.
AUTISM RESOURCE BASE (The ARB)
I have just recently (July 2024) retired from my post as Head of The Autism Resource Base (The ARB), a provision I established and have developed and led over the past 11 years. The provision has significantly grown over these years, and now caters for 50 secondary aged students (11-19) who have an EHCP and a diagnosis of autism, and who have significant communication difficulties and/or other additional needs.
SENIOR LEADER FOR INCLUSION & SEND
As Assistant Head Teacher for Inclusion and SEND, I was responsible for all areas of inclusion in my school, which included SEND (11-16), the Post 16 SEND provision (Sixth Form), SEMH alternative provision and The ARB. Within the body of the mainstream school, I also established the Integrated Studies Programme, a proactive curriculum provision for all years (11-19), catering for students who found the mainstream setting a significant challenge. I lead a team of over 30 staff (teaching and non-teaching). I have been a Designated Safeguarding Lead for the last 15 years and I have represented both the mainstream school and The ARB at a number of tribunal hearings.
CPD TRAINING AND ADVISORY WORK
I was also a national Specialist Lead in Education (SLE) in my field (SEND) involving outreach work in schools where I undertook whole school SEND reviews and supported and advised on strategic planning. I have delivered training and presentations both locally and nationally, and INSET and training on the Initial Teaching Training (ITT) and PGCE Programmes for Southampton University, on SEND and autism as well as a specific training for understanding and supporting autism in secondary mainstream schools. I have also acted as an independent Special Educational Needs Advisor.
