Join the Special Schools Network for SBPs

By joining the National Network of Special Schools for School Business Professionals, you become part of a united community dedicated to championing the needs, expertise, and voice of special schools across the country. Through the network, you will gain access to a thriving online community, regular information updates, free CPD webinars, termly virtual networking meetings, and more.


Together, we strengthen our influence, share solutions, and work to secure the best possible outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities across England.

Members look beyond their own school gates creating an inclusive community led by you. Sharing your knowledge, experience and skills for the benefit of others and learning from each other across boundaries for the benefit of colleagues and students.


YOU ARE AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO.


Your membership enables us collectively to be an independent voice of the sector, adding a critical layer to the strong CEO and Head Teacher networks that already exist. 


We ensure you have a voice at a national level; a voice that is increasingly heard and effective. 


In the last 12 months we have conducted surveys and gathered information from our various meeting to highlight some of your challenges.

  • NNoSS Bitesize Briefing: NAO - Support for children and young people with special educational needs (NNoSS)
  • NNoSS Press Release: Autumn Budget 2024

Join the Network!

250+ members from across England! 


49% All-Through

26% Secondary

20% Primary

78% from Special Schools

1% from AP/PRU

6% from Hospital Schools

15% from mixed

47% Maintained

42% Academy

11% Other


Job Roles include HR, SBM, CFO, Finance

Admin and Officers, Business Development, COO.


Here's what our members have to say...


"You are doing a fantastic job getting everyone together to focus on the key issues for Special Schools and APs and sharing best practice. It is really needed".


"What a wonderful initiative and network of support!  Thank you".


"NNoSS has helped me feel less isolated. I have learnt from others experiences and practices"


"NNoSS is invaluable, bringing us together to share experience and expertise".


"I feel like part of a community in a lonely job"


"NNoSS has been an invaluable source of information & support during the past academic year. It has been a real support to have those network events and drop ins, particularly with colleagues in the specialist sector nationally, and especially in these unprecedented times".

Join the network!

  • Access to the  Online Community: Accessible online or  via the Workplace app

A completely private place to communicate with your colleagues, share and store resources, have private chats, video and audio calls, and view recordings of previous webinars and conference sessions.


  • Access to the NNoSS Email Group: 

For quick communication with other members of the network.  Last year there were over 1500 threads of discussion and debate with resources being shared between members.


  • Information Updates: 

Receive regular updates on policy and government announcements relevant to the sector.


  • CPD: 

We operate in a culture of promoting Continuing Professional Development through different methodologies to learning.


This includes workshops, events, conferences, webinars, networking and sharing ideas and best practices through a combination of approaches, ideas and techniques. We bring these to you either free or as cost effective as possible and we also signpost to free third party CPD where relevant.   


You will also get free access to the Schools North East Webinar strand, Driving

School Success (normally £30 per webinar for non-members). 


This will include as a MINIMUM:

One webinar per term, with extra sessions added to respond to emerging needs in the education landscape.


  • Network Meetings: 

We hold a minimum of 3 network meetings throughout the academic year. The online meetings are a mixture of speakers and networking opportunities.


  • Additional Network Meetings: 

We will facilitate additional online network meetings that are responsive to developments within the sector throughout the year, in particular to facilitate discussions around latest challenges, consultations or changes affecting members or member schools.


  • Surveys and Consultations: 

To allow us to accurately represent the challenges you are facing we will regularly send out surveys. The information gathered from these will be annonymised and used to influence key stakeholders including DfE. Likewise insight groups may be set up to debate latest policies and respond to consultations. 


  • DfE Insight Groups: 

The opportunity to be part of DfE insight groups or workshops to help inform areas of work. As an example of this, over 50 SBPs took part in an exclusive workshop to help inform the SBP strategy, or when NNoSS members were invited to join a procurement insight group.


  • Have your voice heard: 

NNoSS has quickly become a credible voice in the sector, and we regularly have the opportunity to have your challenges highlighted through work with the media and speaking opportunities.This includes the opportunity for you to speak with the media and  at events. 

Join the network!

NATIONAL NNoSS CONFERENCE

The National Network of Special Schools Conference is the only conference of its kind in the country, exclusively designed for School Business Professionals working in special and hospital schools, and alternative provision settings.


This conference brings together colleagues from across the country who are involved in the business management of specialist schools. It's an unparalleled opportunity to be inspired, share practice and network with peers.


Featuring a blend of keynote speeches and practical sessions, the conferences ensure you stay informed about the latest policies, practices and procedures impacting your settings. This annual conference also offers a prime opportunity to network with fellow professionals and engage with leading provider organisations at our focused exhibition.


This conference is open to ALL school business professionals working in special schools, hospital schools, and alternative provision. However, by becoming a #NNoSSMember, you can access the conference at a discounted rate, alongside a wide range of additional benefits designed to connect, upskill, and influence.