Salutem Care and Education has promoted Chris Brown as its divisional director for education, one of four new divisional directors in charge of Salutem’s four key areas of delivery, adult, children, supported living, and education.

Salutem Care and Education is a UK based operator and investor with 130 services nationwide.

Brown joined Salutem in 2020 as head of standards (education) before being promoted to director of education. He is a former personal trainer, who began his career in education at St Edward’s Prep School in Reading, where he was head of geography and physical esucation.

He later moved to Norfolk to take up a position that he believed was an independent all-through school, only to discover that it was a school for students with special educational needs (SEN), which set him on a course for specialising in more diverse requirements.

Brown said: “I didn’t mean to arrive at this career path but through learning how to cater for children with pathological demand avoidance and autism spectrum disorder, I got so much out of it in terms of providing the students with more opportunities. There was no pressure concerning the students achieving GCSEs, but rather teaching them about independent living and life skills.

“Education doesn’t suit everyone. SEN education is different, and you can create a bespoke timetable and the curriculum suited to their individual needs.

“I oversee the education for the groups, and ensure they are good/outstanding for the inspectorate when they visit. We push the boundaries so that the children get the education they deserve, which they didn’t receive at the other schools before coming to us.

“I enjoy working for a company which is a market leader in SEN and supporting the headteachers to provide opportunities for those young people and families who find it difficult. To be at the forefront of that, to instigate and manage change is hugely rewarding, which is why I’m still doing it.”

John Godden, chief executive at Salutem Care and Education said: “Chris is one of the leading lights in the specialist education sector, and it is fantastic to have him on board. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge about both learning and development and the particular needs of the pupils we support. I’m looking forward to seeing what he achieves in his new role in the Salutem family.”