Presenters

Education is a world of very special people but you will meet few as extra special as Nina ‘Ninja’ Jackson.Her work in the area of mental health, well-being and SEND has had an overwhelming impact on children, teachers and parents alike. She has rescued many who were on the brink of despair and given teachers the motivation to carry on when they nearly walked away from their careers. Motivational speaker, award winning author and lover of life, Nina puts the heart and humanity of others into everything she does. Whether it’s receiving standing ovations from audiences of school leaders, running whole-school INSET days and twilights or working directly with children in their classrooms, Nina brings warmth, humanity, honesty, humour and fun to every environment, making a truly lasting impression wherever she goes.

Shaun Brown - The Difference Co-Founder

Shaun is a specialist in whole-school inclusion, trauma-aware practice, multi-agency working and contextual safeguarding. After working as a Head of Geography for several years, Shaun became more interested in the pupils who were falling through the gaps. This inspired Shaun to spend a decade teaching and leading pupil referral units, before returning to Thomas Tallis – a large mainstream secondary school - where he applied this expertise in his role as Deputy Head for Inclusion, reducing exclusion and improving attendance. Shaun’s innovative safeguarding work has achieved national recognition from Ofsted.

At The Difference, Shaun has developed and delivered our whole-school inclusion programmes which are improving outcomes for children in mainstream and alternative provision schools across the country.

• NNCC - Amanda Butler 
• WNCC - Ben Pearson

Jennie Giovanelli is a senior leader within the Brooke Weston Trust and an experienced headteacher, currently leading Kettering Science Academy. With a deep commitment to organisational health and inclusive education, she has previously led schools to success by fostering strong community relationships, improving outcomes, and ensuring every child feels a sense of belonging.

Jennie’s interest in helping children who find school difficult is both personal and professional. Her daughter, currently in Year 10, has complex needs and struggles to feel a sense of belonging at school. This personal experience has given Jennie a unique perspective on the challenges faced by children with similar difficulties. She believes that with a shift in mindset and the effective use of available resources, schools can make a significant difference in the lives of these children.

For Jennie, inclusion isn’t a bolt-on—it’s a way of being, woven into daily practice, relationships, and school culture. She is passionate about ensuring that the classroom is the first and best place for inclusion, so all children can thrive within the core school experience. She also champions collective agency, believing that while the system has challenges, schools, families, and multi-agency partnerships have the power to create meaningful change when working together.