Success in mainstream schools for students with complex needs
By Ailish Langan, 24 July 2026
Fellow's Profile
Ailish Langan
Fellow's Profile
Ailish Langan
Success in Mainstream Schools for Students with Complex Needs
Fellowship
- Themes
- Focus
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Improving outcomes for students who present with challenging behaviour in mainstream school.
- Countries
- Fellowship year
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2024
- Locality
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London
Contact
Biography
As Assistant Principal for Inclusion and SENCO at a large secondary school in London, I tackle complex issues affecting students and staff, ensuring all students' needs are met. The challenges for those working with Special Educational Needs are increasingly complex, impacting the life chances of our most vulnerable students and requiring innovative and compassionate solutions.
My passion for supporting children with additional needs began early in my career, helping students with SEND to improve their outcomes. My time with the Difference Programme, aimed at reducing school exclusions, and as part of the Senior Leadership Team at an inner-London Alternative Provision, transformed my practice. Now, I lead on inclusion in a mainstream school.
I hope to learn from international specialists who address similar challenges and to share outstanding, replicable practices in the UK. I strive to enhance the school experience for all children, reducing sanctions and exclusions without lowering expectations or overburdening our already stretched staff. I hope to empower those working within the constraints of the current education system to have an even greater impact on their students.
Ideas
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
Ideas
Success in mainstream schools for students with complex needs
By Ailish Langan, 24 July 2026
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
