New hire to support our approach to inclusion at The Song School

We’re are thrilled to welcome Fay Velleman who is working alongside the whole team here at The Song School on our approach to inclusion - particularly around how we coach and communicate with our Neurodivergent members who make up a considerable percentage of our community. Fay’s appointment underpins one of our core aims; “Support young people with neurodivergence to find their way in the world”

Fay Velleman is a Level 7, NASENCO qualified, Special Educational Needs, Neurodiversity and Disabilities consultant, SENDCo and teacher with ten years experience of working with children and young people with SEND. Fay specialises in supporting young people with learning differences and disabilities on their journey through education and into adulthood.

Fay’s principal objective is to promote equity for all young people with SEND, and to ensure that they have what they need to meet their potential and make progress. She is working with the Song School to develop training for staff and initiatives to amplify the voices of our members with Neurodivergence, their families and the wider Neurodivergent community of children and young people, within Southend and the surrounding areas.

As a mum to 16-year old twins, both of whom have a love for music, performing arts and the theatre, and both of whom are neurodivergent and/or disabled, she is perfectly placed to lead this strategy.

On working with the Song School, Fay comments, ‘I have been part of The Song School community for six years now as my son, Joe, has been attending since the age of ten. Through his experience, and through attending many events via The Song School, I have been able to witness, first-hand, how Neurodivergent young people find an inclusive creative, inspirational place to be in the Song School community. With rising numbers of children and young people struggling within the school environment, so many more are relying on alternative provisions within which to grow and thrive. I am thrilled to be joining The Song School Team, and look forward to working with them to provide a safe space for young people with SEND in Southend.

Fay’s appointment has been made possible with thanks to support from the Norman Garon Trust and the Tudwick Foundation.