After the Bell

In the first half of this series, we have explored strategies that can be used to support all students with SEND. In the second half of the series, we are considering more specific needs, exploring key information that all school staff should be aware of, and thinking about what we can do to help students with ADHD/ADD. Of course, all students are individuals, and their needs will differ, but this...

In the first half of this series, we have explored strategies that can be used to support all students with SEND. In the second half of the series, we are considering more specific needs, exploring key information that all school staff should be aware of, and thinking about what we can do to help students with hearing impairments. Of course, all students are individuals, and their needs will diffe...

In the first half of this series, we have explored strategies that can be used to support all students with SEND. In the second half of the series, we are considering more specific needs, exploring critical information that all school staff should be aware of, and thinking about what we can do to help students with visual impairments. Of course, all students are individuals, and their needs will d...

At Connex Education, we work closely with all our teaching staff and schools, which is why we are very excited about the start of Series 2 of “A Special School” tonight on BBC One and iPlayer. The series takes viewers behind the classroom door for the first time, allowing cameras to capture the reality of life in Britain's biggest special school, pushing boundaries and challenging misconceptions....

In the first half of this series, we have explored strategies that can be used to support all students with SEND. In the second half of the series, we are considering more specific needs, exploring critical information that all school staff should be aware of, and thinking about what we can do to help students with dysgraphia. Of course, all students are individuals, and their needs will differ, b...

In the first half of this series, we have explored strategies that can be used to support all students with SEND. In the second half of the series, we are considering more specific needs, exploring key information that all staff in schools should be aware of, and considering what we can do to help students with dyscalculia. Of course, all students are individuals and their needs will differ, but t...

Happy New Year! It is always interesting to look ahead and think about what 2023 holds for everyone working in education. In this episode, we invite our guests, Helen Morgan and Andy Bridge, to look at the year ahead and share their best hopes and thoughts. We have a new Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan, who is beginning to settle into her role, making her the 5 th  SoS i...

As we approach the end of 2022, we take the opportunity and review the previous year in Education. Our guests, Helen Morgan and Andy Bridge look back on this year. With five secretaries of state in one year, it's been a busy year, and there have been significant policy adjustments, Andy and Helen share some of the highs, lows, opportunities, and challenges that schools have faced this year. Hosted...

Although excellent classroom practice is fundamental in supporting students with SEND to make great progress; this alone isn’t enough. On top of excellent teaching day-in, day-out, some students with SEND will need more targeted and specialist support. This podcast considers what strong and effective targeted provision looks like, and considers how we can best with work with others professionals s...

In the first half of this series, we have explored strategies that can be used to support all students with SEND. As we move into the second half of the series, we will now consider more specific needs, exploring key information that all staff in schools should be aware of, and considering what we can do to help students with dyslexia. Of course, all students are individuals and their needs will d...

What does research tell us are our ‘best bets’ for classroom practice to support students with SEND? This podcast explores strategies that can be adopted across a school, or in individual classrooms that will support students with SEND to make excellent progress. We consider key approaches that teachers can implement that will not only support students with SEND, but will help all learners in the...

The SEND Code of Practice describes 4 broad areas of need: cognition and learning; communication and interaction; social, emotional and mental health; and sensory and physical needs. In reality though, many students will not neatly fit into one of these categories: their needs may fall across different categories, and even within a category, their needs will be individual. This podcast explores ho...

Year on year, the number of students identified as having Special Educational Needs and Disabilities is increasing and is currently around 15% of the overall school population. Nationally, outcomes for students with SEND are concerningly low, with the performance gap at the end of Y11 increasing over a number of years. It isn’t just academic outcomes that a concern though: research shows that the...

SEND in schools is a complex topic, governed by many legal frameworks, policies, legislation and practices. Hopefully, this podcast will help to summarise some of the key language used in this field, considers why outcomes for students with SEND may differ and considers key myths about SEND that as educators, we should be aware of. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thirstyscholars/mes...

In March 2022, the Government published its SEND Green Paper, outlining changes it proposes to make to the future of SEND support. This podcast explores the challenges that the Green Paper identifies, its recommendations for change and allows us an opportunity to reflect on how support for students with SEND may change in the coming years. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thirstyscho...

There is a clear body of research considering strategies and approaches that allow Teaching Assistants to have the biggest possible impact in their role. This podcast explores practical steps that schools can take to engage with this research, and change their approach to embrace these recommendations. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thirstyscholars/message Hosted on Acast. See acas...

For too many years, CPD in schools has focussed almost exclusively on teachers. There is a growing acknowledgement that if we are to build truly great schools, we need to invest in the entire workforce. This podcast considers what a strong and effective CPD programme looks like that invests in, and develops, Teaching Assistant to thrive in their careers. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor...

Increasingly, TAs are being used to deliver specific interventions and other out-of-class support to students. These interventions are only likely to work if the interventions selected are underpinned by research demonstrating their quality, if the implementation is carefully planned and if TAs are trained and supported to deliver them to a high standard. This podcast explores how TAs can achieve...

In this series so far, we have looked at the SEND Code of Practice and also considered how schools are currently deploying TAs, as well as looking at the impact this can have. In this episode, we will review the evidence for how TAs can have the maximum impact when providing in-class support. We know that when this is done well, with planning and a clear strategy, it can support vulnerable student...

The massive growth in the number of TAs in schools has been driven by concerns about teacher workload, and because of a commitment to inclusive practice, supporting students with SEND to stay in mainstream schools where possible. This podcast considers how TAs are used in schools, and what research tells us the impact of their work is. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thirstyscholars...

Since the year 2000, the number of TAs working in schools has more than trebled from 79,000 to more than 243,700. They now make up about a quarter of the full workforce in schools, with schools spending £4.4 billion pounds each year on TAs. With this level of spending, and the fact TAs are often working with the most vulnerable students in schools, it is crucial that all TAs are highly trained and...

As a teacher, we are expected to meet and maintain a series of professional standards, as well as recognise the importance of other roles within children’s lives such as TAs, careers advisors and parents. This podcast explores good practice in terms of fulfilling wider professional responsibilities.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thirstyscholars/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

Behaviour management is a persistently challenging aspect of teaching. Yet, if we strive to develop a positive, safe learning environment; embed consistent routines; build trusting relationships and motivate students, we can transform our classrooms. This podcast explores how to do this, and considers how some of these challenges can be overcome. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thir...

Both formative and summative assessment are important aspects of a teacher’s work. If not carefully managed though, it can take time away from learning as opposed to contributing to it, and marking and feedback can become a burden, destroying work-life balance. This podcast explores what strong practices look like for formative and summative assessment, and how marking and feedback can be complete...

Adaptive teaching is about acknowledging that all students learn at different rates, and require different amount of support. Managing this, whilst also maintaining high expectations for all students, is a real challenge. This podcast explores how teachers can teach in a responsive way, supporting all students to make excellent progress including those with SEND and low prior attainers. --- Send i...