Education Recruitment Consultant

Families and experts gather at University of Sunderland to discuss SEND Reform. Families, educators, health professionals and policymakers gathered at the University of Sunderland to explore what the government's Schools White Paper means for children and young people. The University's Inclusive Education Conference 2026, hosted in partnership with Zen Educate and IncludED, took place on Friday 26 June at the Sir Tom Cowie Lecture Theatre, St Peter's Campus. More than 300 people attended, making this year's conference the biggest yet. The conference arrived at a pivotal moment for schools and services across England after the government published its Schools White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving on 23 February 2026. The white paper included major reforms to the system of support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in England. Key reforms include mandatory digital Individual Support Plans (ISPs), over £1.6 billion for inclusive mainstream education, and a new £1.8 billion "Experts at Hand" service for early specialist access. At the conference, delegates attended a keynote session, took part in workshops, and heard from those with lived experiences to think about how we can create an education system that works for everyone. The audience included Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs), senior leaders, health professionals, policymakers, Local Authority representatives, social workers, parents and the voluntary sector. Dr Sarah Martin-Denham, Associate Professor of Care and Education at the University of Sunderland, developed and hosted the conference, which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary. She said: "I am delighted that we have been able to offer this free conference again this year. Inclusive education transforms the lives of children and families and school communities. "This event equipped attendees with the tools they need to create environments where children can thrive. I would like to thank the conference partners, and the children and young people who came along to support the event. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year." Sarah leads the Pull up a Chair film project. To date, 25 films have been co-created with children and families who have experienced school exclusion, being unable to attend school and children newly arrived from Ukraine. Sarah and a group of parents also created a huge, crocheted blanket as part of a community creative arts project - Project 2,999: Increasing the visibility of exclusion from school. This was displayed at the conference, marking the end of its year-long tour of national organisations, local authorities, schools and community groups in England. Vicki Stokes, Head of the School of Education at the University of Sunderland, said: "The Inclusive Education Conference continues to attract a wide range of stakeholders who share our passion for inclusive education. "As a School of Education, we are proud to be a regional and national leader in inclusive education, embedding SEND advocacy into our teaching, research and culture. "Through unique SEND programmes, strategic school partnerships and policy-shaping conferences, the university actively champions equitable access to education, so no learner is left behind."

AK Teaching ltd acquired by Zen Educate. North East-based education recruitment specialist AK Teaching has been acquired by international education staffing technology platform Zen Educate. Founded in 2012 by Anthony Kirtley, AK Teaching has grown into one of the largest independent education recruitment agencies in the North East. From its original base, and now Head Office in Sunderland, the business supplies full and part-time teaching and support staff, including teachers, early years practitioners, nursery nurses and teaching assistants to primary, secondary and SEND schools. Under the acquisition, the existing management team of AK Teaching will continue to run the business as part of Zen Educate, supported by the group's wider infrastructure, investment and technology platform. Zen Educate has rapidly become one of the leading technology-driven staffing platforms in the education sector across the UK and US, connecting schools directly with available educators. The company has raised over $70m since 2024 to support its ongoing expansion and is pursuing a strategy of both organic and acquisitive growth. The acquisition strengthens Zen's presence across the North of England and brings together two businesses with strong regional networks, shared values, and a commitment to improving recruitment in the education sector. Advising the shareholders of AK Teaching was Newcastle-based RG Corporate Finance (RGCF), led by Partner and Head of Corporate Finance, Carl Swansbury, CF Senior Manager Sam Shield and CF Executive Andy Alexander. Legal advice to the shareholders of AK Teaching was provided by a team from Newcastle-based Muckle LLP including Stephanie Brown, Matthew Walsh, Lucy Dougall, Atif Salim and Abi Chorlton-Wilson. Zen Educate received legal advice from Trethowans, led by Lucy Gleisner and Amrita Sangha, with financial and tax due diligence undertaken by Wilson Partners' Tom Bradbury and Lucas Humphries. Anthony Kirtley, Founder and Managing Director of AK Teaching, said: "Over the past 13 years we've built AK Teaching into a trusted partner for schools and candidates across the North, thanks to the dedication of our team and the strong relationships we've formed with the education community. "Joining Zen Educate marks the start of an exciting next chapter. Their investment, technology and vision will help us enhance the service we provide to schools and continue our growth, while staying true to the values that got us here." Slava Kremerman, CEO of Zen Educate, said: "Our ambition is to continue expanding across the UK and internationally through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions where there is a strong values alignment to do right by the education sector." "AK Teaching is a fantastic addition to the Zen Educate family, it's a well-established business with an excellent reputation, strong regional presence and a team that shares our commitment to supporting schools, educators and pupils. Together, we can drive complementary growth and make an even greater impact across the education sector."