The new Ofsted inclusion framework: What it means for EAL learners [on-demand webinar with SAAS]

Description

Join FlashAcademy® for this expert-led webinar panel discussion exploring what teachers and school leaders need to know to get inspection-ready, while keeping EAL learners firmly at the heart of their approach.

Hear directly from those working with Ofsted on inspection expectations, alongside a sector expert on embedding inclusive practice and school leaders responsible for implementing the new framework across their settings.

Attendees will learn how to:

Panellists include:

Dr Nicole Ponsford is an award-winning educator, researcher, EdTech founder and creator of the Global Equality Collective (GEC). She advises the Department for Education and Ofsted on inclusion and serves on multiple advisory boards.

Recognised as BESA Person of the Year and listed on the Diversity Power List 2025, she is a leading UK voice in equitable education, assistive technology and inclusive innovation.

With over 25 years’ experience across teaching and the education sector, Dr Ponsford created the Inclusion Index, the national 26,000 Voices study, and the Kaleidoscopic Data movement, used by schools to humanise data and strengthen inclusive cultures.

Mark Sims is an independent consultant, specialising in school development, inspection and EAL. He was Ofsted’s national lead for EAL, ESOL and Gypsy Roma Travellers, leading on national surveys until 2021 when the post was discontinued.

Mark has 19 years’ experience as an HMI. He previously led the Ethnic Minority Achievement Service for Cardiff Council, also serving as their equalities adviser. His career began working for Oldham local authority for 11 years in various teaching and school leadership roles, eventually working with the advisory service.

He is a trained English and EAL educator with an MA in education focused on EAL and race equality. Mark’s experience extends overseas with a period of teaching ESOL in Pakistan.

After beginning her career in education as a Teaching Assistant, Michelle Lawrence is now the Principal of Thistley Hough Academy. She leads with pride and a clear vision that every child is provided with an educational experience that enables them to succeed. Grounded in strong relationships and excellent teaching, her work ensures students are known as individuals and supported academically, socially, and emotionally. 

For the past three academic years, Michelle has also led the academy’s EAL provision, strengthening equity and inclusion across the school. Under her leadership, EAL practice has become more consistent, responsive, and firmly embedded in classroom culture—contributing to improved outcomes and greater confidence for multilingual learners.

Michelle continues to champion success in all its forms, guided by the academy’s core virtues of Respect, Resilience and Responsibility

Our webinars and events are designed for primary and secondary educators supporting EAL and multilingual learners, including senior leaders, inclusion leads and EAL leads.