Speakers

Cate Marsden has over 25 years of experience in the education sector and is a highly dedicated leader specialising in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). She began her career as a Newly Qualified Teacher in Bolton and now serves as Director of External Partnerships at Woodbridge Trust. In this role, she leads strategic initiatives that promote inclusive practice across Bolton and beyond, ensuring specialist support for children and young people aged 2 to 25 with a wide range of SEND. Cate also serves as a Trustee and governor for two schools, where she provides strategic oversight for inclusion and SEND provision.

Throughout her career, Cate has held a number of senior leadership positions, including Head of Woodbridge SEND Service , SEND Advisory Teacher for Bolton Local Authority, Deputy Headteacher in a mainstream setting, and SENCo. These roles have enabled her to develop extensive expertise in inclusive leadership, outreach development, and whole-school SEND strategy. Cate also contributes to national professional development as a Course Coordinator for the National Institute of Teaching, leading the delivery of the National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCos). In addition, she is a qualified ADOS assessor within the neurodevelopmental pathway and a Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).

Cate is deeply committed to fostering inclusive education, building strong partnerships, and ensuring that every learner receives the support, advocacy, and opportunity they need to thrive