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Inclusion

Pupils with SEN (Special Educational Needs), disabilities or who face other challenges often require a specialised support system to manage and overcome the barriers to learning caused by their condition or circumstances. We offer a range of best practice articles and case studies focusing on successful inclusion strategies.

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Safeguarding leads and SENCOs working together

Safeguarding risks are often heightened when SEND is involved, with many overlaps between the two. As such, joined up working is key. Sara Alston looks at some key principles

ADHD: Spotting the signs and supporting pupils

How can teachers support students who have or might have ADHD? Jen Catling looks at spotting the signs, recognising their strengths, and what to do if you are worried about a young person

How to be a successful SENCO in seven steps

The SENCO role is complex and challenging, and it is crucial we get it right. Pearl Barnes offers insights into how to achieve success as a SENCO and how to be a SENCO-supportive school

Five ways to make your school a welcoming place for SEND pupils

Award-winning Harrow-based inclusion lead Jemini Patel shares five strategies for making your primary school a welcoming, inclusive environment for pupils with SEND – and their families too

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Inspecting SEND provision: What does Ofsted look for?

In previous Ofsted frameworks, SEND provision perhaps did not get the attention it deserved. With a higher profile in the EIF, Suzanne O’Connell asks how schools can ensure provision matches expectation

Case study: A focus on connection, care and confidence

A sense of family and inclusion has been created at Whitefield Primary School via the use of its core values of care, connection, and confidence. Marie Beale explains

Three strategies for building an inclusive school culture

How can we build a culture where inclusive learning can thrive in schools? SENCO and SEND lead Will Cannock identifies three key factors

Outventions: When interventions turn into exclusion

Do we fall back too easily on out-of-classroom interventions for pupils who slip behind? For pupils facing multiple interventions, this leads to effective exclusion from mainstream teaching. Sara Alston discusses

What not to say to an ADHD pupil

Every teacher will have students with ADHD in their classrooms at some point. ADHD counsellor and author Sarah Templeton discusses seven things we should never say to these young people...

Inclusion: How does your school ‘feel’?

The real sign of greatness is not exam results or other measurable outcomes, but how your school makes people feel, what your values are, and how they are woven into everything you do. Daniel Sobel reflects

Using positive language to support Autistic children

The language we use when working with Autistic students is important and is one of the most common areas of practice with which speech and language therapist Emily Lees supports teaching staff...

Difference and disability in schools: Participation or isolation?

The D of SEND can risk passing unnoticed under the radar. A new guide sets out the legal duties that schools must meet when it comes to supporting disabled students. Its author Philippa Stobbs offers four vital considerations for teachers and schools

Inclusion is a verb: Belonging and schools

Inclusion boils down to belonging, but how can we ensure that children from a diverse range of backgrounds and with diverse needs feel that they belong in their schools and classrooms? Daniel Sobel offers some tips, reflections – and a checklist!

Supporting SEN students: Lessons from a career in special needs education

Colin May’s years of experience working with children with SEN led to him winning the Nasen Award for SEN Leader of the Year. In this article, he gives his advice to teachers working with special needs students

SEND & inclusion: An award-winning approach

Whitefield Primary School won the Award for Primary Provision at the Nasen Awards. SENCO Marie Beale gives us an insight into life in a school where supporting students with SEND is a priority, and explains the key tenets of their practice

Inclusion: How to plan lessons with your teaching assistant

How can we work and plan with teaching assistants to support inclusion and learning for SEN and other pupils throughout the lesson? Sara Alston offers some pointers

The tip of the iceberg: SEND, masking and multiple needs

Children can often mask their special and other educational needs. At the same time, schools can struggle to support those with multiple needs and vulnerabilities, often focusing only on the ‘visible’ tip of the iceberg. Sara Alston discusses

Neurodivergent pupils: 10 strategies for schools

How best can we support neurodivergent children during these uncertain times? Dr Pooky Knightsmith offers 10 simple strategies for schools

SEND & safeguarding: Effective practice

The increased vulnerabilities of children with SEND mean that safeguarding must remain a constant focus for all school staff. Sara Alston advises

How can we radically shift the way we 'do' SEN?

In part three of his series focusing on the state of our SEN system, inclusion expert Daniel Sobel looks at the problems of silos of working, asks what would happen if we collaborated more effectively, and offers schools some ideas for making this happen

Inclusion

Safeguarding leads and SENCOs working together

ADHD: Spotting the signs and supporting pupils

How to be a successful SENCO in seven steps

Five ways to make your school a welcoming place for SEND pupils

Inspecting SEND provision: What does Ofsted look for?

Case study: A focus on connection, care and confidence

Three strategies for building an inclusive school culture

Outventions: When interventions turn into exclusion

What not to say to an ADHD pupil

Inclusion: How does your school ‘feel’?

Using positive language to support Autistic children

Difference and disability in schools: Participation or isolation?

Inclusion is a verb: Belonging and schools

Supporting SEN students: Lessons from a career in special needs education

SEND & inclusion: An award-winning approach

Inclusion: How to plan lessons with your teaching assistant

The tip of the iceberg: SEND, masking and multiple needs

Neurodivergent pupils: 10 strategies for schools

SEND & safeguarding: Effective practice

How can we radically shift the way we 'do' SEN?

Three principles for an inclusive school environment

Making Sports Day fun for all pupils, including those with SEN

Effective SEND provision: Four key leadership roles

What if we focused on the strengths of our SEN students?

At risk of dropping out? How to turnaround a disconnected young person