Controller, Friend or Benevolent Dictator with Fintan O'Regan
The SENDcast
The impact of a teacher's style and approach can be profound, especially when it comes to students with special educational needs (SEN) and behaviour challenges. Some teachers effortlessly handle students perceived as "difficult", while others struggle and resort to excessive punishment. On this week's podcast, we're discussing teacher styles for supporting SEN and behaviour with our regular guest Fintan O’Regan. Fintan looks a 3 specific types of teacher style and considers the merits of each - are you a controller, a friend, or a benevolent dictator? Controller – These subject...
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GIRL UNMASKED – Autistic Masking, School and Mental Health with Emily Katy
The SENDcast
School can often be a traumatic experience for autistic children and young people. Unfortunately, many individuals, particularly girls, go undiagnosed and lack the necessary support they need. This has led to low school attendance rates and a concerning decline in mental health. As it’s Autism Acceptance Week, I am excited to welcome Emily Katy to our studio to share her incredible story and insights on 'Autistic Masking, School, and Mental Health'. During Emily’s inspirational podcast she covers the following: Her journey – undiagnosed autistic for nearly 17 years, challenges at school...
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Standardised Approach to Exams with Dr Susie Nyman
The SENDcast
Exams can be a daunting experience for students as they face the pressure to perform well and the associated stress. Many students may feel unprepared, lacking effective revision techniques and uncertainty about what to expect in the exam room. Today, I am delighted to welcome back Dr Susie Nyman, one of our regular guests, to discuss ‘Standardised Approach to Exams’. With GCSE and A-Level exams fast approaching, Susie shares invaluable insights on how to succeed in exams, not just for students with SEND but for all, enabling them to achieve higher grades and secure admission to...
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Strengthening the SENCO-Headteacher Partnership
The SENDcast
SENCOs face lots of challenges in their role, one significant one being many headteachers’ lack of understanding of the role. Traditionally, becoming a headteacher followed a career pathway, progressing from teacher to deputy head, and finally to headship. During this, detailed SEND training was often overlooked which has led to an awful lot of misconceptions and lack of awareness among headteachers on the vital SENCO role. This has led to SENCOs feeling frustrated from not being heard or understood. In today’s episode, we hear from an experienced SENCO who has worked with 11 headteachers...
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Sensory Strategies with Kim Griffin
The SENDcast
From birth, we possess certain innate senses, such as touch, while others, like vision and balance, continue to develop throughout childhood and beyond. Understanding how these senses evolve and impact our daily experiences is crucial for creating an optimal learning environment. In this episode, Kim Griffin guides us through an insightful discussion on ‘Sensory Strategies’ covering various aspects, including: the types of senses perception of sensory support, strategies and tools arousal states and their influence on learning regulation how different senses can be distracting in school...
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How exercise is different for children with SEND and why it matters with Miriam Saffer
The SENDcast
There is a lot of talk about the need for reasonable adjustments and targeted support for those with SEND when it comes to school, but far less about the need for accessibility and inclusion in other aspects of life. Research shows that the rates of obesity, asthma, heart disease and many other long term negative health outcomes are significantly higher in communities and groups of the population who have a disability, whether that’s a physical or a neurodivergent condition. Keeping physically active is vital to good health, but depending on a young person's needs, the options available can...
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Supporting PDA with Clare Truman
The SENDcast
A few months ago, we had an insightful episode where Clare Truman introduced and explained PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance). Today, Clare has returned to share valuable advice on how to support PDA learners. The PDA Society estimates that 70% of PDA children and young people are not currently attending school due to their needs not being adequately met. It is crucial to address this issue and provide the necessary support. Clare's expertise in this area is invaluable, and her insights can make a significant difference in the lives of PDA learners. Clare emphasises the importance of...
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Being Human – a journey to #FlipTheNarrative with Elly Chapple
The SENDcast
We wanted to bring your attention to an important movement called #FlipTheNarrative, which aims to shift our perspective and promote a more inclusive conversation about humanity. In our society, there is a tendency to focus on deficits and differences when discussing individuals. However, it is crucial to reframe our thinking and recognise that at our core, we are all human beings who happen to be different. Embracing diversity is an essential part of our shared human experience, and it is time to evolve our understanding. To delve deeper into this movement and understand its significance, we...
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R is for Rosie with Joanna Grace
The SENDcast
*Please note that this podcast contains very strong and offensive language and discussion that some listeners may find upsetting* Last summer, Rosie Jones’ documentary aired on Channel 4 and with it followed great controversy on the title. Rosie Jones is a comedian with Cerebral Palsy and she created the thought-provoking documentary based on her experiences and to raise awareness of the abuse she has endured over the years because of her disability. Joanna Grace joins Dale today to discuss the documentary and its profound impact. Joanna highlights a concerning trend where historical terms...
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Challenging the Pedagogy of Professional Decline with Rachel Lofthouse
The SENDcast
When schemes and policies control every aspect of a teacher's week to improve efficiency, it can unintentionally strip away what makes teachers unique—their quirks, passion, and individual personalities. This focus on efficiency, conformity, and standardisation stands in stark contrast to the ideals of pedagogy and can have a detrimental effect on children, young people, and their dedicated teachers. “Teachers are not challenged to think for themselves and teachers often really flourish when they do, and so do their learners”. Rachel Lofthouse In our latest episode, Rachel Lofthouse,...
info_outlineAbout Gary Aubin
Gary Aubin is the SEND Content Specialist for the Educational Endowment Foundation and Director of SEND for a multi-academy trust, having worked as a SENDCO in mainstream primary and secondary schools. With a strong mindset of inclusion, his work as Director of SEND has supported schools out of Special Measures and towards Outstanding for their SEND provision. Alongside SEND duties, he has written The Lone SENDCO: questions and answers for the busy SENDCO and writes the SENDMatters.co.uk blog. He tweets @SENDMattersUK. He is a contributing author to Great Expectations by David Bartram OBE and wrote the Understanding the SENDCO role course for Guide Education. A former pastoral leader and still a practising secondary teacher, Gary completed his Masters in Special and Inclusive Education at the UCL Institute of Education.
Useful Links
Contact
Website: www.educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk
Twitter: @SENDMattersUK