We are delighted to reveal that Amy Creatura will be delivering the keynote address at the Earwig Academic National Conference 2026 on 11th June in Stratford-upon-Avon — a highlight of the SEND sector calendar and a must-attend event for SENCOs, special school and MAT leaders and SEND professionals.
Amy brings fifteen years of experience in special education, with twelve of those in senior school leadership roles, including as Headteacher and Deputy Executive Principal. Her work spans both grassroots practice and strategic leadership, giving her a deep, lived understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing special schools today.
As someone who is neuro-divergent herself, Amy combines professional expertise with personal insight — a perspective that shapes her passionate advocacy for more inclusive, empowering, and effective special education.
Amy is co-founder of the Divergent Schools – compassionate special education for neurodiverse learners initiative, a pioneering model of education for children who need more support than mainstream settings offer — but whose needs aren’t met by traditional special schools. Through this work she has been instrumental in promoting neuro-inclusive practice that truly values each child’s strengths and potential.
Her keynote at the Earwig Academic conference will focus on “The Implications of the SEND White Paper for Special Schools” — an especially timely topic as the sector responds to national policy developments and continues to push for better outcomes for learners with SEND. Click here to read her early synopsis of the white paper here.
Amy’s leadership, insight, and commitment to disrupting outdated systems and championing progress make her a compelling voice in the SEND community. By speaking at our flagship event, she’ll set the tone for two days of professional development, collaboration, and shared purpose — helping attendees translate policy understanding into real-world improvements in their settings.
Taking place at the beautiful DoubleTree by Hilton in Stratford-upon-Avon, the CPD accredited Earwig Academic National Conference promises expert-led discussions, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and practical take-aways for delegates from across the country. Whether you’re focused on AI in education, the new white paper, assessment, evidence and reporting or broader leadership in special education, our highly praised conferences are designed to inspire and support you.