Sarah Martin-Denham

Sarah Martin-Denham is a prominent researcher at the University of Sunderland's School of Education specializing in school exclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and inclusive education practices. Her work focuses on understanding the complex experiences of children at risk of exclusion, developing evidence-based interventions for reintegration into mainstream schooling, and advocating for systemic changes in educational policy. She leads the innovative #pullupachair initiative, which employs creative methodologies to amplify the authentic voices of children, parents, and educators in shaping more inclusive educational environments across various settings from Early Years to secondary education.

Dr. Martin-Denham's research program spans several interconnected domains centered on educational inclusion and children's wellbeing. Her work examines the intricate relationship between school exclusion and factors including social, emotional and mental health difficulties, adverse childhood experiences, and special educational needs. She employs innovative research methods such as film series, theographs, and participatory approaches to capture nuanced perspectives that traditional methodologies might miss. Her research has directly informed national policy discussions, including substantial contributions to the SEND and Alternative Provision Green Paper consultation, and she regularly presents findings to the Department for Education, Department of Health and Social Care, and various local authorities.

Her scholarly output demonstrates a consistent evolution from foundational work on teaching children with SEND (2015) through the SENCO Handbook (2019) to her doctoral thesis applying Paulo Freire's critical pedagogy to school exclusion (2023). Recent work emphasizes data linkage across educational, health, and social care services to develop holistic understanding of children's needs, particularly through projects like 'Putting together the data jigsaw' examining how local authorities connect information about children with SEND. The #pullupachair initiative represents her commitment to translating research into practical resources, producing numerous film series and practical guides tailored to different educational contexts and age groups.

Dr. Martin-Denham maintains active collaborations with Sunderland City Council, Northumberland County Council, and various Integrated Care Boards, ensuring her research addresses real-world challenges faced by schools and local authorities. She regularly presents at national conferences including BERA and contributes to professional development through events like the Northumberland County Council SENCO Conference. Her work bridges academic rigor with practical application, making significant contributions to both scholarly understanding and on-the-ground practices in inclusive education.