A Sensory Celebration!

A special celebration day in memory of the lives, work and lasting influence of
Flo Longhorn and Richard Hirstwood.

Hosted by Prof Barry Carpenter and Alan Wood of Evidence for Learning, this will be a day for friends and colleagues with a close connection to Flo and Richard or a close affinity to their incredible work, to come together, share memories, reflect on their impact, and celebrate the sensory approaches they both championed with such energy, humour and commitment.

It will take place at Swiss Cottage School in London from 10am to 3pm.

DETAILS:

Date: 10th July 2026
Location: Swiss Cottage School DRC, Camden, London, NW8 6HX
Time: 10am to 3pm (Arrival from 9:30)
Cost: FREE with lunch & refreshments provided

Honouring and reflecting on an incredible, enduring impact and legacy

Flo and Richard both helped to shape the way we think about sensory learning, communication, engagement and inclusion for learners with complex needs. Their work reached classrooms, families, special schools, adult services and training rooms across the UK and beyond.

This celebration is a gathering of people who knew them, worked with them, learnt from them, laughed with them, and continue to carry aspects of their work forward.

Across the day, there will be short contributions, reflective activities, time to share stories, and space to think about the future of sensory learning. Speakers include Prof. Barry Carpenter, James Waller, Carol Allen, Les Staves, Laura McAuley and Rachel McCombe from Riverside School; Dr Rob Ashdown from PMLD Link; Nick Sheffield and Bex Watton.

There will also be time for lunch, conversation, and sharing, and to reflect on what Flo and Richard gave to the field, to individual practitioners, and most importantly… to sensory learners everywhere.

We look forward to coming together for a celebration of the memory of two remarkable people who made a real difference to everyone in the SEND world.

Agenda

Click here to download the full agenda PDF

10am: Welcome (Alan Wood, Evidence for Learning)

10.10am: ‘Come and join the celebration: the focus and purpose of the day’ (Prof Barry Carpenter CBE)

10.30am: ‘Sensory Joy’ (Carol Allen)

10.50am: Reflective Activity

11.10am: ‘Sensory Roots for Learning’ (Les Staves)

11.30am: Reflective Activity

11.50am: ‘Sensory sanctuaries…and beyond’ (Laura McAuley and Rachel McCombe, Riverside School, Co Antrim.)

12.10pm: Reflective Activity

12.30pm: Dr Rob Ashdown (Editor of PMLD Link)

12.40pm: Lunch and sharing

1.30pm: ‘Sensory Inclusion’ (Nick Sheffield and Bex Watton)

1.50pm: Reflective Activity

2.10pm: ‘Sensory Learning: the future in the light of the White Paper on SEND’ (James Waller, Headteacher, Sunningdale School)

2.35pm: Questions with James Waller

2.50pm: Concluding Comments (Prof Barry Carpenter CBE and Alan Wood)

3pm: Go forth and celebrate – sensorily!

Save your seat

The event is strictly limited to 80 attendees with 40 close friends and colleagues already confirmed to attend, therefore please book early if you would like to join us.

Sensory Celebration Event

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3

First Name

Last Name

School / College / Organisation

Job Title / Role (Booking Contact)

Email (Booking Contact)

Referral Code (If appropriate)

Please select the number of delegate places you'd like to register at the event and then complete the full details for each delegate in Step 4 and select ' Register' at the bottom of the form.

Due to the limited numbers and nature of the event, we will be limiting attendance to a maximum of two delegates per setting.

Once we have received your completed registration form, one of our team will be in touch to confirm details.

Please select number of places you require at this event (maximum 2 per school)

Please complete the following details for each delegate that will be attending.

Delegate 1 (Details)

First Name (Delegate 1)

Last Name (Delegate 1)

Job Title / Role (Delegate 1)

Email Address (Delegate 1)

Any specific dietary requirements (Delegate 1)

Any specific accessibility needs (Delegate 1)

Delegate 2 (Details)

First Name (Delegate 2)

Last Name (Delegate 2)

Job Title / Role (Delegate 2)

Email Address (Delegate 2)

Any specific dietary requirements (Delegate 2)

Any specific accessibility needs (Delegate 2)

SEND in Mainstream Conference

As the complexity threshold of need grows and capacity and funding in the system continue to get ever tighter our school leaders in mainstream settings are facing more barriers and challenges than ever before to provide inclusive and aspirational provision for the most vulnerable learners.

A Responsive Programme of CPLD

The LearningShared CPLD Programme and Learning Platform offers a totally unique approach to CPLD for your staff and governors that connects you with other schools and colleges through live in person networking and development conferences, virtual networking events and an online learning platform