Oasis Academy South Bank Primary celebrates ‘Gold-standard’ SEND leadership

Oasis Academy South Bank Primary in Waterloo has been recognised for exceptional Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) leadership.

Oasis Academy South Bank Primary’s parents, carers and the wider community are celebrating Nikoleta Anagnostou, the academy’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), for her outstanding impact on coordinating support for children with SEND, further reflecting the academy’s ongoing commitment to excellence in education, inclusivity, and community engagement. 

Since joining the academy in September, Nikoleta has transformed SEND coordination across the school. Previously working as a SENCO in North London, she brought deep expertise and compassion to her role at Oasis Academy South Bank Primary, and in less than a year, Lambeth have already recognised her achievements. 

Her work has strengthened provision, improved consistency of support, and ensured that children with SEND are understood, valued and able to thrive. By taking the time to get to know children in their classrooms and understanding their individual needs, Nikoleta has been able to draw on expertise from the right professionals and teams across Lambeth Council to secure tailored support for pupils.

This recognition is a first for the academy and reflects the strong relationships she has built with colleagues across the local authority. As a result, more children are accessing the support they need to succeed in school, helping to ensure every pupil has the opportunity to reach their full potential. The academy describes her contribution as "incredible", noting that they feel very lucky to have her as part of the team and are grateful for her hard work.

Nikoleta, SENCO at Oasis Academy South Bank Primary, said:  

“I feel incredibly honoured by this recognition. Supporting our children with SEND is the heart of my work, and I’m proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together in such a short time. Our pupils inspire me every day, their resilience, curiosity, and individuality drive everything I do. This celebration from Lambeth means a great deal, and I’m grateful to be part of a community that believes so strongly in every child’s potential.” 

This is just one of many examples of how Oasis Academy South Bank Primary provides students with opportunities to grow, develop their passions and remain proud of who they are and what they can contribute to their community. 

Leanne Foulkes, Deputy Principal of Oasis Academy South Bank Primary said:  

“We are absolutely thrilled for Nikoleta. Her impact has been so transformative in such a short amount of time. Her expertise has truly strengthened our SEND provision.  Her compassion and an unwavering commitment to every child underpins our commitment to inclusion and supporting our whole community. This recognition from Lambeth shines a light on the exceptional work she does every single day, and we couldn’t be prouder to have her as part of our academy community.”