Articles linked to SEN (Special Educational Needs) in education and parenting
Audio version below. What is Special Education Teaching? Special education teaching is very different in ethos from mainstream education. In terms of pedagogical approaches it is highly specialised but not different. In terms of knowledge of the child and your teaching approach it gets to the root of why education is so beneficial a career. … Read more
Books to Teach Children About Autism This Is a guest blog by Andrea from A Bundle of Books children’s bookshop in Herne Bay. We were delighted to be asked to support a preschool in the first-ever Schools’ Autism Awareness Week. We wanted to find books about autism that enabled children to recognise and learn about … Read more
Challenging Behaviour: Differentiation in Discipline Updated September 2024. This discussion on Differentiation in Discipline may be one of the more contentious blog posts, School discipline is a constant concern in the press and for teachers. I am the lead for behaviour, mental health and pastoral care in a UK special school for autism and children … Read more
Reasons to Be a Teacher. Why we should celebrate being a teacher. More importantly what are the reasons to be a teacher? Shamelessly inspired by this post by Liz Allton Too often teaching is not recognised for the fantastic career it is. When you find a position where you can grow and learn there is … Read more
Getting Stuck: How the School Environment can Prevent Pupils Transition Autism can create barriers to inclusive education, we as teachers can also unwittingly create barriers to including pupils and making their education as effective as possible. We must take a moment to consider our actions and decisions in terms of how they may create issues … Read more
Ideas and Values for Developing a Wellbeing Focussed Curriculum. Links to the original Wellbeing Curriculum posts: Part 1 Part 2: Teaching the wellbeing curriculum It is our job as teachers to remove barriers to learning, in online safety it is often the curriculum that forms a barrier to meaningful learning. The fact that online safety … Read more
Three essential components to SEND education. Special education is a fantastic career option. I am always urging NQTs to consider SEND education as an option for their careers. It is different from mainstream education in a number of key ways. However, that intrinsic desire to provide the best outcomes for the children you teach is … Read more
Key Skills for Effective Special Education Teaching Teaching students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) requires a robust set of competencies. While these skills benefit all teachers, they are especially critical for those in specialised settings. Here is an expanded version of the article with a passionate tone about supporting students in special education: Special Education … Read more
In Real Life: Devaluing Online Identity. This idea formed part of my presentation for the Wellbeing curriculum at the BETT show. I am going to say that the phrase “In Real Life”. Often used to distinguish between online activity and activity in our tangible immediate physical surroundings. Should be retired. The audio version below. Please … Read more
Digital Inclusion. Digital inclusion refers to ensuring all people can participate and connect in today’s digital society. This includes: Access to technology and connectivity:Having access to digital devices like computers and smartphones, as well as reliable internet connections through broadband, WiFi and mobile networks. Infrastructure and connectivity are fundamental prerequisites for digital inclusion. Digital skills:Having … Read more
Autism and the barriers to friendship This is a situation that occurred a while ago and now both students are a couple of years into their new placements I feel it can be written and anonymity maintained. The names are made up, ‘Jack’ is what one of my current students calls me despite my trying … Read more
Technology and SEN Children with additional needs do not have the same access to technology as their peers. Specialist equipment is very expensive. The school may have excellent provision, is this the same at home? In their residential provision? Will the same assistive technology or better be available to them in their future placements? I … Read more
Everything about our classroom is a decision we have made, if the desks are set up a certain way it is either because we put them like that or we decided (consciously or unconsciously) that they were fine as we found them.
I have gained so much from following the #teacher5aday initiatives. I thought I should give something back. So below is my very short video outlining some key Makaton signs you can use with or teach your class. The benefits of using Makaton with SEN learners: Makaton is a language programme designed to provide communication skills … Read more
Transition and Change can be a challenge for many children. This discussion provides some strategies that may help.
The power of Immersive Storytelling in Schools. I am a great fan of the power of storytelling in learning, it is enjoyable, fun, can be used to deliver messages or reinforce concepts or expected behaviours. My Mum owns a children’s bookshop in Herne Bay (Click Here for Site) and leads storytelling sessions in local schools. … Read more
Plickers as an Engaging Assessment Tool Plickers is an interactive assessment tool that allows teachers to quickly gather and assess student responses. It uses a combination of paper cards with unique QR codes and a mobile device app to scan and collect data. Teachers can create multiple-choice or true/false questions on the Plickers website and … Read more
For my first post I thought I would write a few ideas about making your classroom as accessible and inclusive as possible. Each student is of course an individual and these are just general ideas that may help you.
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