Advantage Schools appoint inclusion expert to senior post

Experienced DFE advisor and special school Headteacher Simon Knight has been appointed as Director of Pupil Entitlement at Advantage Schools.

Reflecting a commitment to ensuring that the most vulnerable pupils are highly educated, this new post will focus on those who face the biggest barriers. It further reflects Advantage Schools' ambitious approach for all children in Bedfordshire and beyond, and seeks to add capacity to fulfil families' high aspirations for their pupils. Children are entitled to access ‘the best that has been thought and said’, and this includes all of Advantage Schools’ life-enhancing experiences on offer at each of the ten schools, including residentials, civilised and orderly behaviour and conduct, and an induction into academic subjects.

Mr Knight, who is currently a long-standing joint Headteacher at Frank Wise School and recently served on the DFE SEND inclusion in education expert group, will join Advantage Schools from 1st January.

Stuart Lock, chief executive at Advantage Schools, said “I am delighted to welcome Mr Knight to our team. We have the highest expectations of all pupils, and we believe that all children can be highly educated. Our approach to inclusion has always been about ensuring that what happens as standard in the classroom works for all children, including those who face the biggest challenges. Mr Knight will strengthen our approach immeasurably, helping us to fulfil our ambition of serving all the children of Bedfordshire to be highly educated.”

Simon Knight said “I’m excited to be joining Advantage Schools, an organisation whose values and ambition align so closely with my own. I look forward to supporting the Trust in its commitment to ensuring that every child maximises their potential and secures the very best outcomes possible”

Advantage Schools has recently celebrated excellent outcomes in its ten schools and has announced its ambition to grow to serve more communities with its highly successful model of education.