Talking Phonics Flashcards: Carters Yard

Carters Yard Talking Phonics Flashcards SEND

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. … Read more

Putting SEND On the Political Agenda

Putting SEND On the Political Agenda 1

The UK SEND Policy Guide 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 Political Manifesto. The answers to which we have … Read more

BackPocketTeacher: Bereavement and Grief in SEND

Backpocketteacher bereavement and grief blog special education

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 … Read more

The Quality of Teaching: Ofsted Framework

The Quality of Teaching: Ofsted Framework 3

Thoughts on the Ofsted Framework Relating to Curriculum. The Ofsted Inspection Framework was updated in September 2023. These are my thoughts on how the Ofsted framework may affect your school and some ideas that may help to formulate your response. One of the biggest changes is to Conduct during an inspection. Ofsted outlines clear expectations … Read more

7 Ways to Harness the Potential of Your Commute

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 hour’s 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 … Read more

A-Z of world book day ideas – That aren’t dressing up!

world book day inspiration

World Book Day Teaching Activities As a parent, I am starting to dread the yearly costume hunt that World Book Day has become. This year in Sainsbury’s the dressing-up display was 10 meters followed by two small shelves of books. However, I do think that World Book Day has the potential to inspire creativity and … Read more

Essential Sensory Resources

sensory education resources

Many “Sensory” resources can be created from free or existing material, bubble wrap, packaging foam, a little dot of oil on a radiator. Food is easy and usually cheap, rainbow rice or spaghetti. I am a fan of getting outside, feel the breeze, listen to the waves (my school is just above the beach). Sometimes you want something a bit different. These can be used in a sensory room or individually to encourage calming or even concentration. I would love to hear your ideas as well.

Inclusive Education Strategies for ASD Learners

inclusive education quote

this post is specifically focused on strategies that may be effective for autistic children. This post draws heavily on the work of Damian Milton from who’s writing I have learnt so much from over the last year or two. This booklet has particularly shaped my approach to teaching. Most of these strategies are really just aimed at reducing stressors throughout the day. I would like to stress these are interpreted through by teaching experience and context is very important.

Why is Inclusive Education Essential?

inclusive education quote

Inclusive education is at the heart of education thinking in the UK but seems constantly challenged by policies such as Zero Tolerance behaviour and spending cuts that remove the support so important for our children to thrive in school.

6 Awesome Ways to Engage and Motivate Reluctant Learners.

6 Awesome Ways to Engage and Motivate Reluctant Learners. 4

In this post I am classing reluctant learners as those who often do not finish tasks, they may do the minimum to get by or even flat out refuse to take part. As inclusive teachers we constantly have to be mindful of the drivers of the child’s behaviour. The key to creating engaged learners is to know the child and the barriers they face. Some issues may go deeper and require additional specialist support. A class teacher dedicated to engaging their students can have a huge impact on the students experience of education and their outcome in life. Engaging learners is as much about emotional confidence as intellectual propensity so make that bond and enable all to achieve

The Mental Health crisis facing our most vulnerable children.

Recruitment headteachers senior leadership

There are many many children out there who are crying out for help. There are many dedicated, enthusiastic, creative and compassionate people who are desperate to help. These people need help, we are increasingly facing highly complex issues that very few educational professionals are equipped to deal with. I am writing this as a teacher but I know there are CAMHS workers, social workers and support staff throughout the country who are feeling like this.

Remembrance Day: Free SEN resources

remeberence day teaching resources

These are the resources I have made to use with my class to support learning about Remembrance Day this November.  Poppy themed with a UK focus all use similar images and symbols . I hope they are of some use with your children.