Luminate Education Group Named Centre for Excellence in SEND
We are delighted to announce that Luminate Education Group has been appointed as a Centre for Excellence in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF)
This recognition reflects our long-standing commitment to inclusive education. Hosting one of the largest post-16 cohorts of SEND students in the country, Luminate places inclusive practice at the very heart of teaching and learning across Yorkshire.
A Leading Force in Inclusive Education
Operating across West and North Yorkshire, Luminate Education Group is one of the UK’s largest providers of post-16 education. Each year, we support around 30,000 learners through our family of institutions, which includes Leeds City College, Keighley College, Harrogate College, Leeds Sixth Form College, Pudsey Sixth Form College, University Centre Leeds and Leeds Conservatoire.
As a group, we are dedicated to delivering high-quality skills training that addresses local workforce needs, drives social mobility, and strengthens the regional economy.
What It Means to Be a Centre for Excellence
The ETF’s Centres for Excellence in SEND programme provides free, expert support to leaders, managers, and practitioners across the FE and training sector.
As a newly appointed Centre for Excellence, Luminate will deliver CPD seminars, facilitate Communities of Practice, convene peer reviews, and host employer-led events. Together, these activities will enable us to share best practice, tools, and insights that help improve outcomes for learners with SEND across the country.
Championing Inclusion
Chris Thornton, Director of Inclusive Provision and SEND at Luminate Education Group, said:
“We are honoured to have been recognised as a Centre for Excellence in SEND. This enables us to extend our inclusive practice beyond our campuses, sharing tools, insights and leadership with the wider sector to improve outcomes for learners with SEND across the country.
Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve and are firmly committed to removing barriers, embracing diversity, and ensuring every learner, regardless of background or need, has the opportunity to thrive.”
Get Involved
Our programme of free CPD sessions and events will begin soon. These will be open to educators, leaders, and practitioners across the FE community who want to strengthen inclusive cultures and improve learner experiences.
Centres for Excellence in SEND is one aspect of the support provided to the FE sector as part of the Universal SEND Services programme, which runs until March 2025. It provides sector-led support to leaders, managers and practitioners to create a step change in inclusive teaching and learning, hosting a wide range of activities and events. To access resources and find out more about upcoming activities and other support visit the CfESEND area of the ETF website.
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