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
The SEND Tribunal: Preparing for a hearing The SEND Tribunal specialises in hearing SEN appeals and disability discrimination claims concerning children in schools. What does it have the power to do? How can headteachers prepare for an appeal or claim? Nabil Dance answers these key questions
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 1 comment
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
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...
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
Covid recovery: When the SENCO knows best Communication and language skills have taken a hit during Covid, but techniques to support children with SEN can also improve outcomes for mainstream learners. Victoria Annan describes three interventions in particular
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
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
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
SENCO workload: Identifying barriers and finding solutions There are far more pupils who desperately need the expertise of the SENCO than the SENCO can realistically support according to on-going workforce research. Co-author Hannah Moloney responds to the findings
Effective SEND provision: Four key leadership roles SEND provision in a school is everyone’s responsibility, including senior leaders and governors. Professor Adam Boddison outlines four key areas where effective leadership is crucial for effective SEND provision
What if we focused on the strengths of our SEN students? In part two of his series focusing on the state of our SEN system, Daniel Sobel asks what would happen if we shifted our mindset and attitude – from thinking of the barriers of SEN to considering the strengths and skills that SEN can give students
SEND & Covid: Supporting students in the months to come The return to school last month may have been particularly challenging for our students with SEND. Garry Freeman reminds us of the basic principles of supporting students’ underlying needs – which will be more crucial than ever in the months to come
Full school re-opening: Supporting SEND pupils As schools re-open to all students, those with SEND may well need more support. Stephanie Glenister outlines how we can help pupils – both those who have been attending school during lockdown and those who have been at home – to transition back into ‘normal’ school life
Supporting autistic children to return to school post-lockdown The return to school after lockdown 3.0 could be challenging for students with autism. Drawing on experiences and lessons learned from the first national lockdown, Dr Pooky Knightsmith advises on how we can best support them
SENCOs under siege The Covid-19 pandemic has heaped much more pressure on an already stretched SEND system. In part one of a new series on the state of our SEND system, Daniel Sobel considers the key problems and outlines how we must move forward...
Remote education: Supporting learners with SEND (and their families) Reports from Ofsted and the National SENCO Workforce team have raised concerns about how SEND pupils are faring during remote education. Dr Helen Curran explores the findings and offers her tips and strategies for supporting those with SEND during Covid-19 and beyond
Moving beyond the label: Needs not diagnosis... For many parents and too many professionals, the diagnosis is seen as a magic answer and the solution to a child’s difficulties – but it is not. Sara Alston discusses the risks involving diagnostic labels and looks at how we must provide SEN support based on need 1 comment
