Meet your trainer

Philip Harrison

Phil works at Shaw Education Trust as the National Director of Education: Specialist. He joined the trust from Ofsted where he was one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors. Phil had a regional lead responsibility for special educational needs and disability. Prior to working for Ofsted, Phil gained extensive senior management experience as a headteacher and executive headteacher of special schools, residential schools and colleges. He has worked as a local authority school improvement partner and as a leadership trainer for the National College. During his time as a National Leader of Education he led and managed a National Support School and Teaching School. He has a postgraduate qualification in special and inclusive education and has worked internationally to support school improvement.

Phil has significant experience in governance having been a school governor in primary, secondary and special schools, including roles as Chairperson and safeguarding lead. Phil regularly supports local authorities and clinical commissioning groups to improve their offer for children and young people with special educational needs. He is currently an independent chairperson to an improvement board in one of these areas in England.

Phil is a trustee of the national charity Equals which is committed to improving the lives of children and young people with learning difficulties and disabilities through supporting high quality education.