Additional Support for Learning (ASL) Scotland Conference

Dr. Judith Turbyne became Chief Executive of Children in Scotland in August 2021.

She has spent most of her professional life working in and with the charity sector. For much of that time she worked in international development, with charities challenging global poverty and inequality. She worked in Latin America and the Caribbean for many years before moving to Dublin as the CEO of Progressio Ireland.

Judith returned home to Scotland in 2013 as Head of Engagement with the Scottish Charity Regulator where she had the pleasure of working with many charities across Scotland. She is currently the Deputy Chair of the Corra Foundation.

Judith has a PhD from the University of Bath which looked at empowerment in development. Aside from her wonderful friends and family, the things that make her most happy are mountains, music, running, cricket and a good book.

Meghan was born and raised in North Lanarkshire and had the privilege of serving the area as Councillor for Motherwell West from 2017 – 2022, where Meghan also served as the North Lanarkshire Council Conservative’s Group Leader.  Meghan has been elected to the Scottish Parliament for the Central Scotland region since 2021 and has served as Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservative’s since 2022.  Meghan has a great passion for Veteran’s, Children and Young People, Animal Welfare and ensuring that the people of her constituency and throughout Scotland get the best possible outcome.

Wendy joined See Me in 2017 with the goal of making a direct contribution to end the stigma and discrimination experienced by too many people in Scotland as a result of mental health problems. See Me seek to change policy, practice and minds and create environments, including schools, that ensure people with experience of mental health problems are treated fairly and with compassion and respect. With more than thirty years of public health experience Wendy has a long standing interest in improving (mental) health, addressing health inequality, and promoting and protecting human rights. Her other interests include; education, children and young people, equalities, leadership and organisational development. Wendy has a love of outdoors and spends most of her free time in the forests, hills or lochs.

Scott started his teaching career at Cumbernauld High School as a Teacher of History and Modern Studies, moving to Kirkintilloch High School in 2007 as Principal Teacher of History and Modern Studies. Appointed Depute HT at Kirkintilloch in 2011 moving to St Ninian’s High School, Kirkintilloch as DHT in 2013. Appointed Head Teacher of Alva Academy in 2018.

He is an Associate Assessor with Education Scotland working as part of their visiting inspection teams and a Columba 1400 tutor leading elements of the Head Teach Leadership Academy. Also the proud Head Teacher of Alva Academy and their achievements. Within the last two academic years they have received The Who Cares Award for Young Carers, The National Autism Inclusion Award, Success Looks Different Award, TES Award for Community Engagement Initiative and the Scottish Education Making the Difference Award.

Dr Stella Mouroutsou is a Lecturer in Education. She teaches on the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme within the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling. Her research interests include: inclusive education, early childhood education and policy enactment. Prior to joining the University of Stirling, she completed her PhD in the School of Education at the University of Glasgow where she also held teaching and research positions. She supervises students at masters and doctorate level. Stella is a member of the Scottish Universities Inclusion Group (SUIG). Also, she is a member of the Scottish Educational Research Association (SERA) Executive board and convenor of the SERA Inclusive Education Network.

Headteacher at St. Roch’s Primary and Deaf School.  St Roch’s has a roll over 360 learners.  50% of learners are EAL.  95 % families live in SIMD 1 and 2.  50% learners have a ASN.  School has a deaf inclusion provision for 25 learners.

Completed Into Headship Qualification  – interests in leading strategic change and collaborative professional practice.

BSc. Psychology (Hons) – specialist interests in language acquisition, cognitive development and wellbeing.

Values inclusion, collaboration and catholic faith.

Leigh Verdot has been Head Teacher of Fairview School, in Perth which is a special school committed to supporting children and young people with complex additional support needs since 2017.  Leigh Verdot has over 15 years experience working within the special sector including being an Associate Assessor for Education Scotland.  Fairview School won the Success Looks Different Award in 2023 and the Parent and Family Engagement Award at the Scottish Education Awards in 2022. Fairview obtained it’s Gold Rights Respecting School Awards in 2023.   The goal of the team at Fairview is to ensure that every pupil receives an individualised and high-quality learning experience that will allow them to have the best post school destination possible. Fairview School is known for its’ collaborative approach, working closely with staff, families, and community partners to enrich the lives of their students.

Leigh is a passionate advocate for inclusive education, the staff working in this sector and the empowerment of all learners.

Dr Catherine Reid is a Lecturer in Teacher Education at the University of Glasgow and a member of the Scottish Network for Able Pupils. Her research interests are around inclusion, highly able learners and imagination. She is particularly interested in the impact of policy on school structures and pupil experiences.

Alison founded the Dundee and Angus ADHD Support Group after her son was diagnosed with ADHD over 13 years ago. At the time, she had no one to turn to and no idea what to do next. Determined to help others in similar situations, she began holding parent support meetings and youth groups which later led to the creation of The Dundee and Angus ADHD Support Group. Alison volunteered for many years, helping the organisation grow into what it is today. Now running for thirteen years, the charity offers focused family support, courses and workshops for young people, and youth groups for children with a diagnosis of ADHD. Highly respected for her tireless efforts to raise awareness and promote acceptance of ADHD, Alison took further steps in 2021 to become an ADHD Coach adding a very needed service to adults with ADHD.
Alison has been the Treasurer for The Scottish ADHD Coalition since the opening in 2017 and continues to help and support other groups around Scotland who are ADHD focused.

Bill is an independent educational consultant who, in a teaching career spanning four decades has held promoted posts in both the independent and maintained educational sectors, and in mainstream and specialist provisions.

He is qualified to assess for autism (ADIr & ADOS) and for adult ADHD (DIVA), and has taken instructions as an expert witness in a number of civil cases at sheriff court, Court of Session, and Additional Support Needs Tribunal.

He is currently Chair of the Scottish ADHD Coalition, Vide-President of the UK ADHD Partnership, and was a founding trustee of the Scottish Women’s Autism Network. Bill has presented at conferences and workshops across the UK and abroad and has co-authored a number of peer-reviewed papers and consensus statements on ADHD and co-related conditions.

27 years working in education with a specific focus on learners with Additional Support Needs throughout my career.

Leadership roles include Head of Learning Support in a secondary comprehensive school in London, Depute Head Teacher in South Lanarkshire Council’s provision for pupils with social, emotional and behavioural needs, and now Depute Head, Duncanrig Secondary School in South Lanarkshire with responsibility for the Additional Support Needs Base.

Committed to and passionate about ensuring we meet the needs of all our pupils through the provision of an Inclusive learning environment, opportunities to reach their full potential, and the celebration of their wide-ranging successes and achievements.

As an Attachment Strategy Ambassador within our school and local authority, my day-to-day work is also underpinned by the principles of trauma and attachment informed practice, with the strong belief that building positive relationships with our learners and their families, as well as our staff teams, forms the foundation of all work in education.

Dr. Judith Turbyne became Chief Executive of Children in Scotland in August 2021.

She has spent most of her professional life working in and with the charity sector. For much of that time she worked in international development, with charities challenging global poverty and inequality. She worked in Latin America and the Caribbean for many years before moving to Dublin as the CEO of Progressio Ireland.

Judith returned home to Scotland in 2013 as Head of Engagement with the Scottish Charity Regulator where she had the pleasure of working with many charities across Scotland. She is currently the Deputy Chair of the Corra Foundation.

Judith has a PhD from the University of Bath which looked at empowerment in development. Aside from her wonderful friends and family, the things that make her most happy are mountains, music, running, cricket and a good book.