Research SEN Teachers Should be Using. During an online Special Education discussion I asked: What Research/Journals should those interested in SEND be reading? Here are the top 6 answers for recommended SEND research into special education. Some of these are free to access, others require a subscription. Since this post was originally written the EEF … Read more
The more you get to know the children in your class the better you will become at picking up the signs that something isn’t right. That sentence was easy to write but hard to put into practice because…
What Are The Best SEN Teaching Resources We asked a number of experienced SEN teachers to share the Best Special Education Resources they use in their classrooms. There is a range of high-tech ideas mixed with a good helping of classic hands-on teaching resources. During the discussion, educators shared their innovative approaches towards using various … Read more
Why is Teaching Online Safety to SEN Pupils so Important? n this blog I will look at why teaching online safety is so important to ensure that our most vulnerable students are supported. What is it that makes students with special educational needs so vulnerable? I am primarily talking about those students with complex needs … Read more
I was honoured to be asked to host #behaviourchat on the 23rd May 2016 discussing ways to manage our emotions at work with a particular focus on behaviour.
Tips for managing your emotions. Challenging Behaviour: Managing The Emotional Impact on Yourself Part of my current role involves training the new PBS instructors for the county special schools. This is a great opportunity to ensure a consistent approach and ethos towards challenging behaviour between schools. It is also a chance to collaborate and learn … 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
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
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
Implementing The Teach Like a Pirate Philosophy In Your Classroom One of my first discoveries of an education book that I could get behind and implement was Dave Burgess’s book Teach Like A Pirate, or #tlap as it’s known. Now I am a fan of pirates and need little encouragement to embrace Pirate culture. Now … Read more
Autism Education Infographic (UK) I work in a specialist school for children. It is my job to educate young people with a range of diagnoses to the best of my ability. Now those children have to have an EHCP to access our provision. They are all referred to us by the local authority having had … Read more
SEN Education Infographic Data While the statistics I am about to present are specific to the month of January 2015, it is essential to understand that they represent the most current and recent data accessible at the time. The following SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) education infographic has been meticulously crafted based on the … 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
Teacher wellbeing updated August 2023. This post originally formed my answer to the following question “How could you put aside 5 minutes of each day to improve your wellbeing?” For teachers and school leaders taking just 5 minutes out of their day to focus on your wellbeing can have a profound impact on your overall … 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
Quotes on inclusion Many people have written quotes on inclusion. In many of our articles, we have extensively discussed the importance of inclusion, which stands as a fundamental and central component of our overarching philosophy and beliefs. Embracing and advocating for inclusion is an integral aspect of approaching and understanding various topics, aiming to create a … Read more
School Leadership Journey What Does NPQML Mean? – NPQML Means National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership. It is a DfE recognised qualification for school leaders. This post on becoming a middle leader is a reflection for my NPQML. Specifically a School improvement unit. In it I have tried to be honest about the struggles I … Read more
Transition and Change can be a challenge for many children. This discussion provides some strategies that may help.
Subject Leader Reviews – Thoughts on Peer Observation Peer observations and reviews are used to make informed decisions about the quality of education in a school or subject. Can there be any more sensitive area of a teacher’s work than that of observations? It has been the bane of teachers’ lives instilling fear and anxiety … Read more
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