Debbie Bailey was part of the leadership team of special schools and alternative provisions from 1998 to 2022. She experienced being part of schools that failed to meet Ofsted expectations and of leading rapid school improvements. These formative experiences led her to complete her PhD research at the University of Northampton (2022) exploring how headteachers maintained school effectiveness, specifically within the context of special schools for pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD)/social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH). Since 2023, she has been Director of Education for an academy trust of special schools in the Midlands.