Autism, Blogs, education, inclusion, special education, special needs, Teaching

How can teachers and teaching assistants motivate pupils to learn?

Developing pupil motivation using 10 evidence based strategies. Teaching Assistants (TAs) play a vital role in supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in the classroom. One of the most important aspects of their work is to help these pupils develop a strong motivation to learn. This is crucial because pupils with SEN may face… Continue reading How can teachers and teaching assistants motivate pupils to learn?

Blogs, education

What my Disability Gave to Me

Hello, my name is Bethany Tomerlin Prince. First things first, I use American English, so my apologies if this post has significantly fewer u’s than you are expecting. I was born with mild Cerebral Palsy and Motor Sensory Integration Disorder. My childhood was a series of doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. I wore… Continue reading What my Disability Gave to Me

Blogs, Education Technology

Immersive Reality: Storytelling, Collaboration & Multi-Sensory Learning

An Introduction to Immersive Reality Virtual Reality (VR) is so immersive - it takes you to a completely new world. Unlike other popular forms of media such as television, it provides a sense of really being there. Instead of ‘what do you want to watch?’, the question becomes ‘where do you want to go?’ -… Continue reading Immersive Reality: Storytelling, Collaboration & Multi-Sensory Learning

Blogs, education, leadership, management, Teaching

Effective Courageous and Curious Conversations for Leaders in School.

Curious, Courageous, and Coaching Conversations in School. Leading conversations is not about power or forcing people to do as they are told. It is about gaining buy-in and building trust. When holding conversations around practice, or conflict there will be specific elements of people management but that is not leadership. As a leader you encourage… Continue reading Effective Courageous and Curious Conversations for Leaders in School.

Blogs, education, special education, special needs, Teaching

Masking, Behaviour, and Learning Needs.

This is a record of the #SENexchange discussion from 2nd February 2022. We based the chat on the article: The tip of the iceberg: SEND, masking and multiple needs written by regular discussion contributor Sara Alston. I have edited some responses for clarity. A Discussion on Masking and Learning Needs at School and Home. How… Continue reading Masking, Behaviour, and Learning Needs.

Blogs, special education, special needs, Teaching

Learning Through Play – An SENexchange Discussion

This blog on learning through play is a write up of the final #SENexchange of the 2020/2021 academic year. This chat was hosted by Georgina Durrant from author of 100 Ways Your Child Can Learn Through Play: Fun Activities for Young Children with SEN (Find out more here). There were a number of contributors so… Continue reading Learning Through Play – An SENexchange Discussion

Picturepath visual app
Blogs, education, resources

Advice for using visual timelines with Autistic children

Advice for using visual timelines with ASD children Guest Post A child using Picturepath on the iPad It’s well understood that many children find comfort in routine, and that maintaining routine reduces problem behaviours. Equally visuals, such as PECS cards, and timelines are widely used alongside a strong routine across both home and school to… Continue reading Advice for using visual timelines with Autistic children

Blogs, books

Awesome Advent Books For Christmas

Here we have 24 suggested Advent picture books to use in a literacy based advent calendar this Christmas. I like using this level of book as you can easily adapt them for a range of special educational needs. I have used all of these Christmas books either at home or with my classes at school.… Continue reading Awesome Advent Books For Christmas

Autism, behaviour, Blogs, education, resources, special education, Teaching

School Anxiety: Signs causes & strategies

School Anxiety, Signs, Causes, Support and Resources. The subject of school anxiety is often a source of frustration and conflict between schools and parents. This is unnecessary and unhelpful and does nothing to provide support to the child. Children are often labelled as being school refusers. Pressure from local authorities may be put onto parents… Continue reading School Anxiety: Signs causes & strategies

Carters Yard Talking Phonics Flashcards SEND
Blogs, education, inclusion, resources, special education

Talking Phonics Flashcards: Carters Yard

AR Phonics and SEND Developed by two teachers, who kindly sent me a pack to use at school these cards are pretty good as simple flashcards for use in your phonics lessons. Clear, well made and easy to use. However it is the innovative use of AR (Augmented reality) that brings these cards to life.… Continue reading Talking Phonics Flashcards: Carters Yard

Blogs, education, inclusion, leadership

The SEND Manifesto #SENexchange

The #SENExchange SEND Manifesto This document captures the discussion between, parents, carers, educators and people with SEND about the state of special education in Britain in 2019 and the messages they want to send to politicians. We asked 6 questions to include in the #SENexchange SEND Manifesto. The answers to which we have collated in… Continue reading The SEND Manifesto #SENexchange

Backpocketteacher bereavement and grief blog special education
Autism, Blogs, Guest Post, special education, special needs, Teaching, Wellbeing

BackPocketTeacher: Bereavement and Grief in SEND

The Birth of BackPocketTeacher Hands up, who returns from school with a bizarre range of things in their pockets? Stickers, symbols, bubbles, raisins, latex gloves…. they’ve all been found in my pockets and also been seen spinning around my washing machine! As a SEND teacher I learnt very early on that however amazing and detailed… Continue reading BackPocketTeacher: Bereavement and Grief in SEND

Blogs, education, leadership

The Quality of Teaching: Ofsted Framework 2019

Thoughts on the 2019 Ofsted Framework Relating to Curriculum. These are my thoughts on how the 2019 ofsted framework may affect your school and some ideas that may help to formulate your response.  167. The Rounded Quality of Education The OfSTED framework 2019 is interested in the rounded quality of education. This would enable… Continue reading The Quality of Teaching: Ofsted Framework 2019

7 Ways to Harness the Potential of Your Commute
Blogs, education

7 Ways to Harness the Potential of Your Commute

Don't Waste Time Commuting. I have recently gone from a commute of less than 20 minutes walk to over an hours drive each way. That has led to me wanting to find ways to make use of that time. Here are 7 suggestions to use the time you spend commuting more productively. Turn Netflix into… Continue reading 7 Ways to Harness the Potential of Your Commute