RIDGEWAY School headteacher Darryl Morgan has been recognised with an award for Inspirational Leadership by the National Association of Special Educational Needs (nasen).

The award, presented in a ceremony at the Museum of London, recognises leaders from any setting who inspire others to improve outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEND).

Mr Morgan joined Ridgeway School, a special school in Frensham Road for children aged two to 19 years with severe and profound multiple learning difficulties, in 2005.

Under his leadership the Ridgeway achieved Ofsted ‘outstanding’ status in September 2009 and again in June 2013, as well as specialist college status for communication and interaction.

The school has also been recognised as a centre of excellence in the use of interactive technologies, and has hosted visits on the use of interactive sensory rooms from Canada, Mexico, the USA, Israel and Norway, as well as gaining Teaching School Status in March 2014.

As an accredited National Leader of Education, Mr Morgan has also been a mentor and professional partner for five headteachers new to post in Surrey special schools.

In addition, he is currently the SEN lead for a Multi Academy Trust of eight mainstream secondary and primary schools in Surrey, and was instrumental in The Ridgeway forming a Multi Academy Trust with three local secondary schools in April 2017, the Weydon Multi Academy Trust.

Mr Morgan’s work was recognised locally with a Services to Farnham Award in 2015, which now adds to his hard-earned nasen award for Inspirational Leadership.

Mark Rosling, chair of governors at The Ridgeway School, said: “The governors are proud of Darryl for winning this prestigious award and it is very well deserved.

“Darryl is a truly inspirational leader, passionate about developing the capabilities of children and young adults with special educational needs and he shares both his extensive knowledge and experience with many other schools.”