Speakers

Hilary Cook is an experienced education leader and passionate advocate for inclusive education. As Head of SEND at Tameside Local Authority, she leads the strategic improvement of SEND provision across the borough, working collaboratively with schools, services, and families to ensure every child and young person with SEND receives the support they need to thrive.

Hilary brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as Deputy Headteacher for Inclusion at North Chadderton Secondary School in Oldham, where she also served as SENCO. Her work has consistently focused on supporting children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. She is a qualified Level 6 Attachment Practitioner and trained in Theraplay, with a strong foundation in therapeutic approaches and whole-school mental health.

A specialist assessor for pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) in literacy, Hilary is committed to evidence-informed practice and early identification. She is a strong advocate for inclusive practice across all aspects of school life and believes in the power of collaboration within the SEND community to drive meaningful change.

Hilary’s dedication to system-wide improvement led her to become Deputy Regional SEND Leader for Whole School SEND in the North West, where she supports schools and leaders to embed inclusive practice using the WSS framework and resources.