Lee is a passionate and principled leader, driven by a belief that every child — and every adult in a school community — deserves to feel a deep sense of belonging. As Chief Executive of BDSIP, she ensures that all our work is grounded in the lived realities of schools, and shaped by the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve.
Her journey in education began in 1995 as a teaching assistant and has spanned roles in mainstream and specialist settings, with a consistent focus on inclusion, SEND and whole-school improvement. Whether in the classroom or at system level, Lee’s work is anchored in the belief that high expectations, strong relationships and inclusive cultures create the conditions in which everyone can thrive.
Lee is the author of the locally commissioned SEMH Handbook, developed in collaboration with cross-sector experts to support schools in embedding trauma-responsive, relationship-centred practices. This work has informed professional development across Barking and Dagenham and beyond, and will be showcased at the World Inclusion Conference in Kazakhstan (October 2025), where Lee will present on “More Than Awareness: What Trauma-Responsive Inclusion Looks Like in Practice.”
Under her leadership, BDSIP has formed national and international partnerships to bring best-practice expertise into local contexts. Her next project is to create a platform to celebrate the everyday innovation and excellence she sees across our schools — sharing practice in a way that inspires, connects and empowers others.
Lee brings evidence-informed insight, deep system knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to the belief that inclusive education transforms lives.
