Simon Ripley

Simon Ripley serves as Programme Leader for multiple Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) programs at the University of Sunderland, including the MA SEND and Inclusion (DL), Postgraduate Certificate National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination, and Postgraduate Certificate Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: Leading Provision and Practice.

His academic profile features:

• Teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate Initial Teacher Training courses
• Current pursuit of a Professional Doctorate focused on Teacher-Student Interactions with children and young people who have SEND
• Research interests spanning Special Educational Needs Leadership, Teacher Development, and Contextualizing Theory in Practice

Ripley's research examines inclusive educational practices through the lens of adaptive pedagogy and inclusive ethos, with particular attention to classroom interactions and teacher development within SEND contexts. His 2007 publication on the prevalence of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in children aged 3-16 years demonstrates his longstanding commitment to evidence-based approaches in educational legislation and leadership.

As an active faculty member with current profile updates as recent as December 2024, Ripley continues to shape teacher preparation and SEND policy through his program leadership and scholarly work in inclusive education.