The SEND Network Podcast

Get in touch In this episode of The SEND Network Podcast, Georgie is joined by Manny Awoyelu to discuss the importance of a whole school approach to support oral communication. Manny and Georgie discuss how: Oral Communication is the forgotten discipline after Reading, Writing & Mathematical skills. Oral communication deepens learning in the classroom Oral Communication is tied to self-advocac...

Get in touch The SEND Network Podcast is back for Season 8 to kick off the new academic year! And we're bringing you a new host, the brilliant Georgie Green.  In this opening episode, Georgie is joined by Angela Lydon, former PMLD teacher and now National Manager for the Special Olympics Motor Activities Training Programme.  This episode covers:  The importance of movement as a priority for c...

Get in touch In this episode, Izzy and early years specialist Jayne Carter discuss developing the language of emotions in the early years – looking at different approaches and the importance of focusing on helping children improve their ability to express themselves.  They discuss: The EEF’s ‘5 a day principle’  The ‘little and often’ approach The significance of ‘hooks’ Resources EEF Blog: Five e...

Get in touch An estimated 1 million schoolchildren in the UK are affected by dyslexia. Despite this, sometimes the need is overlooked. Dyslexia specialist Louise Selby explains why this can be the case and how dyslexia can be ‘brought back into the room’.  They discuss: The new definition of dyslexia and why we need to talk about it What dyslexia can look like What can be done in the classroom/sch...

Get in touch In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, guest host Georgie Green is joined by Speech and Language Therapist, Kate Freeman. They discuss the importance of early intervention to support children with speech, language and communication needs. The key areas covered are:  Signs to look out for to identify SLCN What does 'early' really mean?  What intervention might look like...

Get in touch This week’s episode of the SEND Network Podcast is a special collaboration with the SEND Parenting Podcast. Izzy joins Dr Olivia Kessel and Lynn How to discuss bridging the gap between parents and professionals. They discuss: Why parents and professionals sometimes struggle to connect  Success stories when communication goes right And the “magic formula” for parent-professional collab...

Get in touch Are you trying to figure out how to make better use of technology in your setting? For this episode, Izzy is joined by Stephanie Smith to discuss using assistive technology effectively. There’s an array of ways it can benefit your setting including: Breaking down physical barriers,  Engaging students in learning Supporting SEMH On top of exploring the benefits, Stephanie also provides...

Get in touch We’re back for another season of the SEND Network Podcast! To kick things off for our seventh series, Izzy is joined by early years specialists Kerry Murphy and David Cahn.  They discuss neurodiverse play, exploring: Kerry’s A–Z of Neurodiverse Play David’s work as a neurodiversity-affirming childminder How we can decolonise play in early years settings Resources Respecting neurodiver...

Get in touch In recognition of World Down Syndrome Day last week (21 March 2025), Sharon Smith returns to the podcast to discuss how to best support young people with Down’s Syndrome transition into adulthood.  In the episode, we cover:  Supporting students find their voice Bridging the gap between education and employment And, importantly, supporting parents to ‘let go’ Resources World Down Syndr...

Get in touch Hester joins Izzy for another episode on MSI (otherwise known as Deafblindness). In this episode, they look at MSI and wellbeing – looking at expressive communication, emotional and social wellbeing and acknowledging the impact MSI has on a child.  Resources Are you fun, funny and laughing? The friendships and social relationships of students with complex communication needs in and ou...

Get in touch This month, the SEND Network podcast attended the first ever edition of the Tes SEND Show North! Izzy caught up with speakers and exhibitors on the day to find out more about what they do.  Thanks to all the speakers and exhibitors that spoke to us (in order of appearance): Craig Henderson ( The Neurodivergent Barber ) Lynn McCann (Autism, ADHD and PDA Specialist Teacher - Reachout )...

Get in touch Educational consultant Lynn How joins Izzy to talk all things SENCO paperwork, including EHCP paperwork. The episode splits into two parts - streamlining paperwork and EHCPs. Lynn shines a light on: Using the graduated approach to provide the right provision The process of applying for an EHC needs assessment Who is responsible for carrying out key steps in the EHCP process Resources...

Get in touch In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, Izzy is joined by Amy Husband, Head of School Academic at Academy 21, our season six sponsor! Amy introduces us to the three-tiered model of intervention and explains how to take a holistic approach to tiered provision. The episode looks at why holistic practice is an important part of a student’s education, explores the best ways to implem...

Get in touch With a new school term comes a new season of the SEND Network Podcast! In our first episode of 2025, Izzy Felton is joined by Simon Airey. Izzy and Simon discuss neurodivergent play, covering: Open-ended play  Allowing children to play their way  And using observations to plan play opportunities Simon also answers questions submitted by our SEND Network members! Listen to the end to h...

Get in touch In our final episode before the holidays, Izzy is joined by Jane Green MBE. They discuss emotional based school avoidance, and the link between neurodivergence and joint hypermobility conditions. Jane also answers questions submitted by our SEND Network members! Listen to the end to hear what she has to say. If you would like to ask future guests questions, register for the SEND Netwo...

Get in touch Gary Aubin returns for the second time this series, to discuss how SENCOs can best utilise and support the teaching assistants in their school. Including: Tapping into you TAs interests and specialties  Looking at the EEF's Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants guide How to support them in their role Resources Check out the EEF's Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants resou...

Get in touch Since COVID, attendance in school has been on the decline. With new measures being implemented in an attempt to get more children back in school, Suzy Rowland joins Izzy on the podcast to discuss the deeper reasons students may not be in school.  During the episode, Suzy covers: The five main groups of children that are most likely to be school avoiders and why Universal provision to...

Get in touch Since we began the podcast, ADHD has been mentioned throughout. So it only felt right to spend a whole episode talking about it! Izzy is joined by Lynn McCann, who takes us through some strategies that SEND practitioners can use to help students in the classroom with ADHD. Including: Sensory and movement breaks Scaffolding executive functioning  Self esteem and wellbeing Resources men...

Get in touch This year, the SEND Network podcast returned to the Tes SEND Show! This time, Izzy caught up with speakers and exhibitors on the day, to discuss a wide range of topics within SEND. Including: Inclusive reading frameworks ADHD in early years Autism in girls Assitive technology in SEND Thanks to all the speakers and exhibitors that spoke to us (in order of appearance): Samantha Asher, D...

Get in touch This week on the SEND Network Podcast, Izzy is joined by RDI consultant Andreja Stefulj. Andrea explores empowerment, self regulation and collaboration between SENCO, teacher and parent to support a child with SEND in school.  This episode looks at: How changing your mentality can make you a better educator How opening up can help mental wellbeing of SENCOs, teachers and parents alike...

Get in touch Welcome back for season five! We can't quite believe we've reached the fifth season of the SEND Network series already. To celebrate, this episode sees the return of our first ever guest Gary Aubin. In this episode, Gary and Izzy discuss helpful tasks that can help start your year as a SENCo right. The episode covers: Getting to know your SEND register Communication with par...

Get in touch As The SEND Network Podcast reaches it's fifth season, we look back at our episodes so far and provide you with some of our experts top tips for working in the SEND sector. From time management to multi-sensory learning, unmasking to supporting neurodiverse staff. Discover the best advice our experts have had to offer throughout our 26 episodes! This episode features: Kate Browni...

Get in touch As season four of the SEND Network Podcast comes to a close, Izzy is joined by Hester Richardson to discuss the often misunderstood condition Multi Sensory Impairment (also known as deafblindness).  In the episode, Hester highlights: What MSI is and how to spot it Working with the families of children with MSI Improving communication and accessibility in the classroom About Hester Hes...

Get in touch Just as her new book hits the shelves, author and former teacher/SENDCO Georgina Durrant joins Izzy to discuss emotional regulation skills in primary school. Topics covered in this episode include: The current problems with the SEND system  What it can look like if a child is struggling with emotional regulation Healthy strategies to deal with emotional regulation About Georgina Georg...

Get in touch In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, Izzy is joined by Catrina Lowri, a Neurodiversity and Inclusion consultant with lived experience working as a neurodivergent teacher, employee and employer. They discussed how to support neurodiverse teachers in your school.  We covered a range of topics, including: Universal support for all teachers Moving into mid or senior leadership rol...