How to Hire the Best Teachers Possible for SEND Students
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How to Hire the Best Teachers Possible for SEND Students

How to Hire the Best Teachers Possible for SEND Students It’s high time for the UK to revitalise SEND education. In 2023, England’s local government ombudsman received over 60% more complaints over special needs education compared to the previous year, many of which highlighted the huge deficits of councils’ SEND budgets amid lengthy delays in issuing Education,…

10 Tips for Reducing Processing Demand
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10 Tips for Reducing Processing Demand

Tips for Designing Activities To Reduce Processing Demand As an experienced special needs teacher in the United Kingdom, I have learned that it is crucial to design activities that meet the specific processing requirements of my students. There have been discussions about autistic energy and Spoon Theory. This seems to relate to the capacity of…

The 5 Senses and How They Influence Learning
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The 5 Senses and How They Influence Learning

How Many Senses Do We Have and How Do They Enhance Learning? As teachers, we know that our students learn best when they are engaged and motivated. Regular visitors to this site will know my favourite way to achieve this is to create a multisensory learning environment. Learning for children with SEN can be enhanced…

How to Apply Cognitive Science Principles with SEN Pupils

How to Apply Cognitive Science Principles with SEN Pupils

Introduction to Cognitive Science and SEN Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of how the mind works, drawing on insights from psychology, neuroscience, education, and other fields. It investigates the mental processes and structures that underlie human cognition, such as memory, perception, attention, reasoning, problem-solving, and language. By understanding how the mind works, cognitive science…

Inclusive Drama Activities For SEN
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Inclusive Drama Activities For SEN

Inclusive drama activities are those that involve and engage students with special educational needs (SEN) in creative and collaborative ways. Some we have included 8 examples of inclusive drama activities for SEN pupils (UK) and a link to a free sample of 101 Drama Games Book which will give you 20 more. Adapting a Drama…

The Importance of High Expectations for Pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
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The Importance of High Expectations for Pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

What Research Says About High Expectations and SEN Special Educational Needs (SEN) is a term that encompasses a wide range of learning difficulties, disabilities, and conditions that make it harder for children to learn than most children of the same age. These needs can be broad, ranging from physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, emotional and behavioural…

10 Special Education Teaching Styles
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10 Special Education Teaching Styles

10 Special Education Teaching Styles & Approaches Special education is a broad term that encompasses the provision of education for pupils with special educational needs (SEN). SEN can include learning difficulties, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, communication disorders, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and autism spectrum disorders. According to the 2001 SEN Code of Practice, there are…

Lesson Observations & Ofsted: The Importance of Typicality.
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Lesson Observations & Ofsted: The Importance of Typicality.

Ensuring Typicality in Lesson Observations: Why it Matters for Ofsted Inspections Ofsted inspectors state they aim to observe classroom teaching and learning as it normally occurs in a regular school week. Witnessing aspects of typicality and embedded routines is crucial to understanding the efficacy of a school’s pedagogy and curriculum implementation over time. It would…

Sensory Story: You Might be Santa
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Sensory Story: You Might be Santa

A Free Christmas Sensory Story You might be Santa forms part of our “You might be” style sensory story collection. These stories are based on becoming the character by adding props or a costume. They are super simple and designed to appeal to as wide a range of learners and curriculum topics as possible. To…

Understanding the Cycle of Challenging Behaviour

Understanding the Cycle of Challenging Behaviour

Understanding the Cycle of Challenging Behaviour: A Guide for Teachers As teachers, we often encounter a range of behaviours in our classrooms, some of which can be challenging and disruptive. Understanding the cycle of challenging behaviour is crucial in managing these behaviours effectively and providing supportive learning environments for all students. This understanding can help…

Supporting Children with Speech and Language Impairments
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Supporting Children with Speech and Language Impairments

Supporting Children with Speech and Language Impairments in the Classroom Communication is a critical life skill that allows us to express our needs, build relationships, exchange information, and make sense of the world around us. For children with Speech and Language Impairments, developing strong communication abilities is essential not just for academic success, but for…

Barriers to Inclusion in Schools
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Barriers to Inclusion in Schools

Removing Barriers to Inclusion: Making Our Schools More Inclusive As educational leaders, inclusion should be our top priority. However, multiple systemic obstacles still prevent equitable learning environments for all. In this article, I will analyse predominant barriers to inclusion, propose evidence-based solutions, and address common questions around transforming our schools into communities where every child…

Attention Autism: A Comprehensive Guide for Teachers
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Attention Autism: A Comprehensive Guide for Teachers

What is Attention Autism? Attention Autism is an intervention approach designed by speech-language pathologist Gina Davies to support the development of communication, social, and cognitive skills in children with autism (ASD). The program uses a progression of visually-based and highly motivating activities to teach children how to pay attention, imitate, and engage socially. The goal…

Signing for Autism: A Comprehensive Guide
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Signing for Autism: A Comprehensive Guide

Using Signing For Communication With Autistic Children One of the common elements of autism is difficulty with communication, including delayed or limited speech, and expressive and receptive language impairments. Many parents of autistic children wonder if teaching their child sign language might help improve their ability to communicate. This comprehensive guide covers everything parents need…

Outdoor Water Play Ideas For Every Age Group
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Outdoor Water Play Ideas For Every Age Group

The Educational Benefits of Water Play in EYFS and Beyond Water play is a staple activity in many early childhood education settings. It’s more than just splashing around—it’s a powerful learning tool that offers a multitude of educational benefits. From fostering motor skills to promoting scientific thinking, water play can provide a rich, sensory, and…

The Role of an SEN Teaching Assistant

The Role of an SEN Teaching Assistant

The Role of an SEN TA in the U.K. Education System Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistants (SEN TAs), also known as Special Needs Assistants or Learning Support Assistants, play a crucial role in the U.K. education system. They provide support to children with a range of needs, ensuring that all students can access education in…

Creating a Calm, Low Arousal Environment for SEN Pupils
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Creating a Calm, Low Arousal Environment for SEN Pupils

Understanding Low Arousal Environments Before we dive into the specifics, it’s important to define what we mean by a “low arousal environment.” At its core, such an environment minimises sensory, cognitive, and emotional overstimulation. This can be achieved through a variety of methods, including controlling physical elements like light and sound, managing classroom activities, and…

The Power of Multi-Sensory Rooms in Special Education

The Power of Multi-Sensory Rooms in Special Education

Effective Use of Multi-Sensory Rooms Multi-Sensory rooms are a fantastic resource but often represent a significant investment in space and money. Inclusive education is a cornerstone of modern society, and special needs teachers play a vital role in ensuring that every student receives the support they need to thrive academically and emotionally. One powerful tool…