Rare but Recognisable: Isla’s FOP Story with Nicky Muller
The SENDcast
Today is Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Awareness Day, and to mark the occasion we’re sharing an episode focused on raising awareness of this rare condition. In this conversation, Nicky Muller - a former trustee of FOP Friends and mother of Isla, who has FOP - joins Dale to share practical insight into supporting children with rare conditions and to tell Isla’s inspiring story. Nicky explains that FOP causes the body’s soft tissues to progressively turn into bone, often after flare-ups triggered by injury or sometimes viruses. She highlights how unpredictable this is, and...
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Supporting Young People with Long-Term Illness in Education with Josh Pelled
The SENDcast
Bright Futures’ research estimates that around 270,000 young people (age 5–24) miss 20% or more of their education each year due to long-term illness. The consequences for qualifications, employment and wellbeing are severe - for example, 79% of 18-24 year‑olds who are out of work due to ill health only have qualifications at GCSEs or below, compared with 34% of their peers. These young people don’t just lose learning: prolonged absence damages social connections, confidence and everyday school experiences. “Returning to normal” needs careful planning, not a simple reinstatement of...
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Assessing Complex Learners with Jordan Garrett
The SENDcast
The needs around SEND in schools are increasing - both in numbers and complexity of needs – and many schools are struggling with the best way to support their learners effectively. They want to do the best for their students, but the DfE provides very limited guidance on supporting learners with SEND. Jordan Garrett from Sensory Classroom joins Dale to discuss ‘assessing complex learners’. Jordan brings a wealth of experience from specialist and mainstream settings, plus years of curriculum and resource development, and offers practical, classroom-tested advice. Their discussion...
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Understanding PANS and PANDAS: Bridging the Gap in Education and Health with Tina Coope
The SENDcast
Did you know that common infections, like strep throat, can cause a neuroinflammatory response affecting the brain? Today we’re raising awareness of difficult to diagnose and often misunderstood conditions – Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). Tina Coope, a former teacher and parent whose daughter experienced sudden neuropsychiatric symptoms, explains how PANS and PANDAS present, why they’re often missed, and what schools can...
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Understanding Epilepsy’s Impact on Children and Young People with Catherine Hodder
The SENDcast
In recognition of International Purple Day today, Catherine Hodder, Head of Policy, Influencing & Youth Voice at Young Epilepsy joins Dale to discuss ‘Understanding epilepsy’s impact on children and young people’. Epilepsy affects around 1 in 200 children in the UK, yet 1 in 3 children with epilepsy do not get the support they need to fully participate in school life. Epilepsy is one of the most common conditions affecting children and young people, yet it is often misunderstood. Seizures can be subtle and are frequently missed or mistaken for inattention, many school staff do not...
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Supporting Children with Down syndrome to Reach Their Full Potential with Sarah Holton
The SENDcast
Did you know that children with Down syndrome have a different learning profile? Ahead of World Down Syndrome Day this Saturday, Sarah Holton from Down syndrome UK, joins Dale to tell us how we can ‘support children with Down syndrome to reach their full potential’. Sarah is a specialist advisory teacher and parent to two children, one of whom has Down syndrome. She shares practical, research‑informed strategies to help children with Down syndrome thrive. Why listen? Understand the Down syndrome learning profile (strengths like visual learning; challenges like hearing, visual acuity,...
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*Special Episode* - Fixing a Broken System: Response to the White Paper
The SENDcast
This is a special episode focusing on the new White Paper and the SEND reforms consultation. Last week, I published my response and reflections — not just on the White Paper and the consultation itself, but also on what they mean in the wider context of the current SEND system, the Curriculum and Assessment Review, and the new Ofsted Inspection Framework. It turned into quite a big document… about 35 pages in total. There’s a lot in there to digest, and a few people asked whether there might be an audio version. So here we are. In this episode, it’s just me, reading through my response...
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Young Carers: Voices That Matter with Kasia Thompson
The SENDcast
Young carers often take on adult responsibilities, balancing school, social life, and caregiving, all while navigating the emotional impact of disability in their families. This is an increasingly important area of discussion, particularly as schools are now required to report the number of young carers within their settings for the national census. I’m delighted to share today’s inspirational discussion with Kasia Thompson, a Teaching Assistant and Young Carer Coordinator at St Regis CE Academy – ‘Young Carers: Voices That Matter’. Kasia has developed an award-winning initiative...
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*Special Episode* National Neurodiversity Shows 2026 with Steph Barnett
The SENDcast
In this special episode of SENDcast, host Dale speaks with Steph Barnett, the show planner for the . Together, they discuss the inception and significance of these events, which aim to create inclusive spaces for neurodivergent individuals and their families. Launched in 2025, the shows are designed to provide vital information, support, and a sense of belonging for attendees, offering a unique blend of professional insights and personal journeys. With a series of four events scheduled for 2026—Cardiff in April, Wigan in June, Coventry in July, and Glasgow for the first time in September -...
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Working Effectively with TAs with Sara Alston
The SENDcast
Teaching Assistants (TAs) are the unsung heroes in schools - and an incredible resource. Yet their impact is often limited when teachers aren’t equipped to work with them effectively. We’re missing out on a lot of potential by not optimising how TAs support learning. In this episode, Sara Alston, a renowned SEND and safeguarding consultant, joins Dale to discuss ‘working effectively with TAs’. “I would much prefer to talk about ‘learning support assistants’ because their role is to support learning, not to assist the teacher.” Sara Alston What you can expect from this...
info_outlineAlison Eason discusses her recognition as the Changemaker of the Year at the nasen Awards for her innovative work in using technology to support students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). She emphasises how her computing strategies help students with dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism, and ADHD, promoting independence and reducing reliance on teaching assistants.
Alison shares her journey of upskilling in technology during the pandemic, becoming a Google trainer, and implementing tools like Google Classroom to enhance learning. She highlights various accessibility features available on Chromebooks, such as text-to-speech and widget, which empower students to express themselves and engage more effectively in their education.
The conversation covers the importance of fostering independence in students and using technology to create inclusive learning environments. Alison advocates for embracing tech in schools to prepare children for a future where technology plays a central role. She encourages educators to challenge themselves and leverage tech to personalise student experiences, ultimately enhancing their learning outcomes.
About Alison
Alison Eason has been a Primary School Teacher since 2005, working in London and Essex in a range of schools from good to outstanding. After completing a Master’s in Education, Inclusion and Diversity in 2015, she became an Associate Member of British Dyslexia Association and went on to become a specialist Dyslexia Teacher in 2017. Over the course of her career, Alison developed a passion for working with SEN (Special Educational Needs) students and has dedicated the last 9 years to working with SEN children. She often felt that their voices went unheard and was concerned about the lack of creativity and quality of education SEN children received in some classrooms, due to staff not having access to learning the right skills necessary to create inclusive classrooms. She has been the head of ARP of an Additional Resourced Provision in North London, leading a team of specialist teachers and teaching assistants in delivering an outstanding and very personalised education for children who have autism. In addition, she is working with other local schools on a consultancy basis. She is proud of her ARP and describes it as a fun, engaging environment where children receive structure, predictability and an education that will prepare them for life as an independent person. She provides ongoing support and training to her team and also teachers the students for part of the week. She is a qualified SENCO and continues to work with other educators, families and children in understanding the complexities of SEN and how best to engage and support these learners. Alison is also an advocate in using adapted technologies and IT in the classroom, preparing her students for life where technologies are playing an ever-increasing role in everyday life; to engage and accelerate the learning and independence of her students.
Contact Alison
https://www.chalgroveprimary.org.uk/
About the nasen awards
The nasen awards celebrate outstanding contributions to the education and support of children and young people with SEND. These annual awards recognise individuals, schools, and organisations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusive education and the advancement of SEND practices.
nasen is a charitable organisation that supports children and young people with SEND. nasen's goals include Influencing government policy, providing information, training and resources to support practitioners and contributing to the debate and effecting change to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Useful Links
- Teach Primary November 2024 Article on ‘Partnering Up’ (How schools can develop a good home-school relationship and make a difference to a child with SEN) page 33
- Sensory audit – How to optimise your school for autistic children 2024
- BERA blog November 2023
- Widgit 40th anniversary Video (01:23)
- Behind the Mask: How to help autistic pupils be themselves at school (page 8)
- RISE Supporting autistic primary pupils March 2024
- 'Digital Inclusion: Leveraging EdTech to Enhance SEND Provision' May 2024
- IGPP Institute of Government &Public Policy speaker 2023: Integrating Technology for Enhanced Support of SEND Students in Teaching Practice
- Google for education (11:49) - Accessibility & Inclusion
The Anywhere School 2022
- B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk
- Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast
- Email Dale – dale@bsquared.co.uk
- Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe
The SENDcast is powered by B Squared
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.