New horizons and new challenges

Stephen McShane, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sheila Coates Foundation, reflects on how his career in education will shape his approach to his new role.

I feel very privileged to have been appointed as the CEO of Sheila Coates Foundation (SCF). Having spent a career working with young people with special education needs and disabilities and autism, I am excited to draw on this experience to inform my new role.

A bit about me

I initially trained as a teacher of children with special educational needs, working in special and mainstream schools, as well as opening one of the first resource bases in the country for children with autism. I’ve been an educational psychologist, a national and local adviser, university lecturer, and Ofsted national lead for special educational needs and disability. I am married, with three grown up children and a labradoodle called Stanley (likeness below).

Learnings from a career in education

I love working in education. It challenges me to keep learning and adjusting. For me, education should always be responsive, creative and dynamic. The best learning happens when we work collaboratively, creatively and in partnership with young people.

In previous roles, I have talked about high expectations, adaptive teaching, formative assessment, graduated responses, provision maps, co-production and inclusion audits. These approaches all rely on listening to each other and doing the best we can together.

Funding to make a world of difference

Throughout my career I’ve met countless SENCOs, teachers and support assistants who work tirelessly to respond creatively to the needs of young people, removing barriers so that they can thrive and learn.

That’s the reason that I’m so excited to join SCF. We want to fund the creative ideas and initiatives that schools, colleges and young people want to develop. We want to support initiatives that make a world of difference to young people with autism.

Our work since 2020 has reached approximately 19,000 autistic young people in 450 secondary schools and colleges. From sensory rooms to surf therapy, Manga clubs to murals, all the activities we have funded have helped to foster belonging and inclusion. As a result, autistic students are more engaged in school and college, and less anxious in the classroom or at social time.

SCF is ambitious to grow its reach and impact even further. As CEO, I’m looking forward to working with even more schools, colleges, teachers, sector partners and young people to help create a world where young people with autism can thrive in education and beyond.

Off we go!