The SEND Network Podcast

How can we better support the wellbeing of education professionals working in increasingly demanding environments? In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, recorded live at the Tes SEND Show, host Georgie Green speaks with Ella Savell-Boss, Safeguarding Consultant, Trainer and Speaker, about the growing pressures facing education staff and why protecting their wellbeing is essential to support...

Every child has different sensory needs, but are we doing enough to understand them? Recorded live at the Tes SEND Show, Georgie Green is joined by Hannah Jewell, occupational therapist and founder of OT by the Sea, to explore the importance of personalised sensory support for autistic and neurodivergent children. Hannah shares her personal journey into occupational therapy, inspired by her experi...

What if the way a child plays isn't something that needs correcting, but something we should be celebrating? Recorded live at the Tes SEND Show in London, Georgie Green is joined by autistic teacher and SEND consultant Simon Airey to explore the importance of understanding, supporting and embracing neurodivergent play. Drawing on his own lived experience and his work in the classroom, Simon explai...

At just 16 years old, Courtney Pemble is challenging the education system and giving a voice to young people who feel unheard. Recorded live at Tes SEND, Courtney joins host Georgie Green on the SEND Network Podcast to share her personal experiences of growing up with undiagnosed autism and ADHD, struggling with emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), and ultimately leaving mainstream education...

What happens when a child or young person simply cannot attend school, and absence starts to become a legal issue? In this episode of The SEND Network Podcast, Georgie Green is joined by Emma Tennant, founder of The SEND Law Company, to explore the complex relationship between SEND, school attendance, parental responsibility and the law. Drawing on her experience as both a SEND parent and a legall...

How can teachers and practitioners identify speech, language and communication needs that aren’t immediately obvious? In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, Georgie Green is joined by Kate Freeman from Speech & Language Link to explore how schools and early years settings can recognise communication difficulties, support children through transitions and create classrooms where aski...

In this episode of the SEND Network podcast, Georgie Green welcomes back Dr Tej Samani from MyPerformanceLearning to explore the role that sport, movement and healthy competition can play in children and young people’s development. Drawing on his experience as a former professional tennis player and a student who struggled within traditional education, Dr Tej explains how being coached helpe...

Writer and comedian Katie Mulgrew joins host Georgie Green to discuss parenting her autistic and ADHD son, Jim, and the journey towards better understanding his needs. Katie recently explored this experience in her Guardian article, “I was struggling to understand my autistic son – until we watched an episode of Doctor Who.” She explains how he recognised his own energy, emotions...

Practical strategies for creating sensory-inclusive classrooms and supporting communication, regulation and independence. In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, pda dad is joined by Olly Elm-Robinson, Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, and Dionne Nmai, Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist from Seashell Trust. Together, they explore the growing importance of sensory proc...

In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, Georgie Green is joined by Amy Husband, Executive Head at Academy21, to explore the challenges facing children and young people in education today. From early years development and communication skills to emotionally based school non-attendance, trauma-informed practice and successful reintegration, Amy shares practical insights from her experience supp...

Get in touch ​PDA Dad, Duncan, speaks with Lou Barnes of Unlock Learning on transforming dyslexia support and rebuilding self esteem in children. Recorded at the Tes SEND Show North as part of Season 10, this episode of the SEND Network Podcast brings together PDA Dad Duncan and Lou Barnes, Founder of Unlock Learning. Lou shares her journey from classroom teacher to specialist practitioner, driven...

Get in touch In this episode of the SEND Network podcast, recorded live at Tes SEND North, host PDA Dad Duncan is joined by Amanda Hornby, Dyslexia Specialist Trainer at the British Dyslexia Association . Together, they explore practical strategies for supporting learners with dyslexia, focusing on what truly makes a difference in the classroom. The conversation covers common challenges, effective...

Get in touch ‪ PDA Dad sits down with Natasha Chalk to explore emotional-based school avoidance, masking, and how schools can better support SEND pupils. This episode of the SEND Network podcast was filmed live at the Tes SEND North show in Manchester, where PDA Dad Duncan is joined by experienced educator Natasha Chalk.  Together, they explore emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA), what it is...

Get in touch In this episode, Georgie Green is joined by Kate Freeman, Consultant at Speech & Language Link. Together they explore the growing importance of early identification, the role of everyday interaction in developing communication, and how schools and early years settings can better support children with speech, language and communication needs. From oracy and screening to screen time...

Get in touch Why teaching pupils how to learn may matter more than teaching more content: In this episode, Dr Tej Samani explores how SEND professionals can move beyond content-heavy interventions and towards strengthening core learning skills. We discuss: • Personalising assessment at scale • Capturing and responding to pupil voice • Reducing overwhelm and anxiety in the classroom • Social media,...

Get in touch How early intervention and inclusive practice can change outcomes for young people: With nearly one million young people currently not in education, employment or training, the scale of the challenge is stark. In this episode, Dr Sharon Smith, Assistant Head of Teaching and Learning (Quality) at Tute Education, explores what those figures really mean for SEND practitioners on the grou...

Get in touch In this episode of The SEND Network Podcast, host Georgie Green is joined by Dr. Daniel Weisberg , Founder and Managing Director of CAYP Psychology , to explore the growing challenge of children and young people who find attending school emotionally overwhelming. While many children occasionally resist going to school, this conversation focuses on those for whom simply getting through...

Get in touch In this returning episode of the SEND Network Podcast, Georgie Green is joined once again by Simon Airey, neurodiversity consultant, early years and primary inclusion specialist, and teacher for an open and honest conversation about neurodivergent staff in education. Drawing on his recent autism diagnosis and 25 years of classroom experience, Simon reflects on the often-unseen realiti...

Get in touch Georgie Green is joined by consultant clinical psychologist Dr Freya Spicer-White to explore what true inclusion really looks like in schools. Drawing on her experience across specialist education, Dr Spicer-White shares practical, low-cost strategies that educators can use to create calmer, more inclusive environments for neurodiverse children and young people. The conversation cover...

Get in touch In this episode of The SEND Network Podcast, Georgie is joined by Ginny Bootman to discuss how SENDCOs can manage meetings in the best way possible. They discuss what can be done pre, during and post each meeting to support children and their parents carers.  Roy Leighton's website (mentioned in this episode) can be found here . About Ginny Ginny has been teaching longer than she...

Get in touch In this episode of The SEND Network Podcast, Georgie is joined by Juliet and Sophie from Speech & Language Link to discuss how to build universal communication support in schools.  About Sophie Sophie is a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist at Speech & Language Link, with a career dedicated to supporting schools and early years providers across both mainstream and...

Get in touch In this episode of The SEND Network Podcast, Georgie is joined by Dr. Sarah Moseley to discuss inclusive writing and assistive technology, the topic of Sarah's upcoming book.  Sarah and Georgie discuss:  What is inclusive writing and what role does it play in the mainstream classroom?  How can practitioners support agency and expression? How can assistive technology support writi...

Get in touch In this special edition of the SEND Network Podcast, recorded at the Tes SEND Show, we speak with a range of speakers, exhibitors, and guests to capture their insights, experiences, and reflections from across the event. From classroom innovation to inclusive practice and whole-school approaches, this episode brings together voices from across the SEND community sharing what inspired...

Get in touch In this episode of The SEND Network Podcast, Georgie is joined by Elizabeth Cordle to discuss the importance of neuromotor development in early education. This is part two of a two part series.  Elizabeth and Georgie discuss:  The importance of motor maturity Factors which might cause slower neuromotor development in the early years Neuromotor development and SEND About Elizabeth Cord...

Get in touch In this episode of The SEND Network Podcast, Georgie is joined by Elizabeth Cordle to discuss the importance of neuromotor development in early education. This is part one of a two part series.  Elizabeth and Georgie discuss:  The importance of motor maturity Factors which might cause slower neuromotor development in the early years Neuromotor development and SEND About Elizabeth Cord...