Concerns for vulnerable Scottish children as support available slumps dramatically
AN alliance of independent and third sector organisations has called for greater resourcing to support children and young people with additional support needs (ASN), such as autism, dyslexia and mental health problems. The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC) has made the call as new figures contained in a parliamentary answer revealed that spend per pupil […]
9 Ways Schools Can Boost Inclusion For Special Needs Children
Creating a fully inclusive learning environment is one of the biggest challenges facing schools, but that doesn’t mean it’s an impossible task. Find out how schools can boost inclusion for special needs children, here. There are plenty of practical and logistical challenges facing schools, especially in relation to catering for the needs of any special […]
One in every twenty Isle of Wight pupils has an Education and Care Health Plan
The percentage of Isle of Wight pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans has risen over the last year five years, but a study warns that many vulnerable pupils are likely to be SEND “under-identified” Latest statistics show yet another rise in pupils needing SEN support. The percentage of pupils with an Education, Health and […]
Is the DfE deliberately ignoring pupils with SEND?
The experiences of pupils with special educational needs and disability are consistently overlooked – there’s no greater disadvantage than being ignored, says Christopher Rossiter The latest research from Ofsted on the experience of young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND) and their families through the pandemic has a familiar air. Children and families have once […]
Pepper the robot joins school to support children with autism
Pepper, the friendly humanoid robot from SoftBank Robotics, is lending a helping hand to pupils at a special needs school in Somerset, as part of a project led by researchers at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). Currently based at The Mendip School near Shepton Mallet, the approachable-looking robot is supporting pupils […]
A Step Forward In The Provision Of Education To Pupils With Down’s Syndrome
All efforts to raise awareness and strengthen the rights and entitlements of children and young people with Down’s syndrome, who often experience marginalisation, and whose parents have to fight the system to get their children’s needs met, should be wholeheartedly welcomed. The proposals contained in The Down’s Syndrome Bill, promoted by former cabinet member Liam […]
Gavin Williamson urges transformation as English schools return
Williamson confirmed that the government would examine ideas including a five-term school year, or longer school days, as schools in England fully reopen on Monday. The education secretary said efforts to help pupils catch up could be a catalyst for revolutionising schools, likening it to the 1944 Education Act, which created the postwar system of local education authorities […]
Children put under more pressure due to ‘catch-up’ narrative, psychologists warn
Children are being put under a “huge” pressure due to the narrative that pupils need to catch up with lost learning, educational psychologists have warned. Young people should be supported through socialisation and play if the Government decides to extend the amount of time that they spend in school, the British Psychological Society (BPS) has […]
Partial vaccination of ASN staff ‘puts pupils at risk’
Some school staff working with complex-needs children are being passed over for vaccination, says EIS general secretary. Scotland’s biggest teaching union is calling for a “broader interpretation” of government guidance when it comes to special needs staff receiving vaccinations, warning that sometimes staff working in the same buildings and classrooms are being refused the jab while their […]
Special needs pupils in England ‘pushed to one side’ in Covid crisis
A special message from Microsoft News UK: With so many young people grappling with the challenges of lockdown and homeschooling, mental health problems are on the rise. Help us get them the vital support they need. Our appeal, in partnership with The Children’s Society, connects the vulnerable to professional services. Join us or donate here. Children […]
Students take starring roles in new app to help those with special needs
The young people at the specialist further education college Derwen College in Gobowen near Oswestry supported Starfish Labs in the production of ‘Covid-19: Staying Safe’. The college provided actors for the app, and helped with Makaton signs and symbols to help people with communication difficulties. Part funded by the Welsh government it is now live […]
Police and school work together to launch additional learning needs initiative
A new scheme to help police deal with emergencies involving people with additional learning needs (ALN) has been launched. Trinity Fields School, which is based in Ystrad Mynach and caters for ALN pupils, has worked closely with Gwent Police as part of ‘The Trinity Protocol’. The scheme will allow family members and carers to register someone with […]
Event to help disabled young people
The Black Country Chamber of Commerce is running an event to encourage more help for young people with disabilities. The online event on Thursday, January 28 has the title ‘Education to Employment – narrowing the gap for young people with additional needs and disabilities’. It is running from 10am to 12 noon and ifs free […]
Pupils with additional needs ‘should be seen as assets’
Schools should welcome the skills and attributes of ASN pupils and their families, MSPs are told Pupils with additional support needs should be seen as assets to a school first rather than as a barrier to be overcome, MSPs have been told. Too often children with ASN are viewed through the idea of “deficit”, said Eileen Prior, executive director […]
Education chiefs ‘failing’ children with special needs claims mum
A West Cumbrian mother says she will be forced to home school her son because of a lack of places at special schools in the county. Emma Harry and Darren Hendren, of Thornhill, applied for a place at Mayfield Special School for their son Noah Hendren, who has complex needs. The couple received a letter […]
Laura Mooiman – Helping you create safe, positive, and restorative schools
DESCRIPTION: A quick 5 minute description of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)! I list 4 main components for your school. If you want more details on how to implement those components, check out my other videos: 1. Establish Schoolwide Expectations 2. Teach Schoolwide Expectations 3. Positive Reinforcement 4. Consistent Restorative Consequences Information about PBIS […]
Why education needs to throw off the shackles of data
One of the most egregious misjudgements arising from political responses to the pandemic has been what happened to annual school examinations. A system whose only goal is the education of individual children forgot its entire purpose. That the SNP were the first to acknowledge this mistake is hardly to their credit, but it signals something […]