Nasen’s fifth annual awards celebrate the work that early years settings, school, organisation and individuals do to ensure children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reach their full potential.
Anglia Sunshine Nurseries’ win was announced, along with 11 other outstanding settings, at an awards ceremony at London’s Waldorf Hilton Hotel on Friday (15 October).
The setting, which has been judged outstanding by Ofsted three times in a row, scooped the award in recognition of its dedication to ensuring the needs of the individual child and for providing inclusive flexible daycare for children from birth.
To accommodate and fully include children with complex medical needs requiring continuing care, Anglia Sunshine has adapted routines, employed extra adults qualified in the relevant areas of healthcare, and made significant changes to the setting’s environment.
Director of Anglia Sunshine Nurseries, Jacqueline Duranti, said, ‘I am so proud and pleased that my team have been recognised for all their hard work and commitment to making a difference each and every day. They always go the extra mile for the children and families we support.’
Chief executive of nasen, Annamarie Hassall, added, ‘The team at Anglia Sunshine Nurseries should be extremely proud of what they have achieved. I am thrilled to be able to spotlight their hard work and inclusive best practice for children with complex medical needs and to share their achievements with the wider SEND and education sector.
‘As CEO at my first nasen awards, I was humbled by the calibre of nominations and the incredible work schools, individuals and organisations are doing to achieve such fantastic outcomes for children and young people with SEND and learning differences. This past 18-months have been particularly challenging for us all, and have greatly impacted the educational experience of all children and young people.'
The other winners of the awards, which were judged by a panel of experts, include:
- Award for Primary Provision – Whitefield Primary School in Liverpool.
- SEND Lead of the Year – Colin May from Torbay.
- nasen Teacher of the Year – Abed Ahmed from Birmingham