NDNA Conference 2025: Practice Stream

Professor Dr. Ger Graus OBE

Building on his experience as an advisor to the Fondazione Reggio Children, Prof Dr. Graus will cover:  

• “Children can only aspire to what they know exists” – aspiration from an early age
• “We don’t know our children well enough” – personalisation, insights and data
• More than a school – how community and family provision is essential, not just desirable
• “The environment is the third teacher” – not every classroom has four walls
• Measuring what we value. A new accountability for a new age. 

More about Ger: 

Professor Dr Ger Graus OBE is a renowned figure in the field of education – once described as “Jean-Jacques Rousseau meets Willy Wonka”. He was the first Global Director of Education at KidZania and the founding CEO of the Children’s University. In 2019, Ger became a Visiting Professor at the National Research University in Moscow, Russia. He is also a Professor of Practice at the University of Cumbria, United Kingdom, and a Member of the PhD Advisory Council at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy. Ger is a frequent keynote speaker at some of the world’s leading education conferences. Driven by his famous mantra that “Children can only aspire to what they know exists”, Ger champions the cause of equity, progress, purpose, creativity, and innovation in children’s learning. 

Camilla Farrant, Director & Head Music Therapist

This session will be an introduction to the SEND Music, which focuses on developing your skills for flexible and interactive music-making and singing. You’ll take part in music-therapy influenced practical ideas designed to engage children with SEND.

More about Camilla:

Camilla read Music at Christ’s College, Cambridge University before training as a music therapist on the Master of Music Therapy course at Nordoff Robbins. She is an experienced researcher, author and lecturer in music therapy and specialises in working with people autism, learning disabilities and emotional disorders through her own organisation, the Music Therapy Tree.

Darren Edwards – Adaptive Expeditions

Darren Edwards has faced life’s greatest uncertainties head-on, drawing from his experience leading record-breaking expeditions and overcoming a life-changing injury. Speaking with unmatched authority and authenticity, he shares how to conquer fear and thrive in the face of challenges. With a natural gift for storytelling, Darren captivates audiences by blending inspiration with practical insights, offering real-world solutions to even the most daunting obstacles – all grounded in his extraordinary personal journey.  

More about Darren:

After a time in the armed forces, and pursuing his mountaineering passion, Darren trained as a teacher. Shortly after qualifying, he was climbing in North Wales when the ledge he stood on fell away, and he plunged over 100 feet. Lucky to survive, he broke his back in two places, severing his spinal cord. Darren was paralysed from the chest down. As well as dealing with the trauma of his new circumstances, he faced a gruelling rehabilitation regime and an uncertain future. 

Within days of leaving hospital, Darren found purpose. Determined to return to his outdoor adventures, he bought a kayak and took to the water for the first time. It was the start of a series of adventures that saw him kayak the length of Britain with fellow ex-servicemen and become the first wheelchair user to complete the 777 challenge – seven marathons on seven continents over seven days. Later this year, he will sit-ski across Antarctica to the South Pole.