Read SEN Magazine SEN127 : Nov/Dec here
It’s been a good year for conferences, exhibitions and all types of CPD to support greater awareness of the changing landscape of SEND. I have met so many dedicated people, companies and organisations that are working in this field.
I was talking to Katrina Cochrane of Positive Dyslexia about why people still want to attend events in person, as opposed to on-line and we agreed that the whole experience is enhanced by interactions and connections with others, those little goodie bags, coming across the perfect resource and taking time to reflect.
In this issue, we’re covering a wide range of topics as usual, with Damien Newman describing the use of social and therapeutic horticulture to support people towards health and wellbeing on page 42. It’s a fascinating subject and Newman explains the wide-ranging effects this approach can have.
Back inside schools, Al Kingsley, on page 74, explains why CPD for teachers needs to be on-going, rather than a ‘one-off’, particularly when inexperienced staff are being expected to integrate Ed-Tech into their lessons. Jess Sinarski shares some simple tips to support engagement and increase connections with students in the context of attachment on page 26. Stephen Willoughby shares on page 22 how bullying at school was so severe, that he left full-time education at the age of thirteen. He writes from the perspective of someone who is neurodivergent, and passionate about how the wellbeing and mental health of young people with SEND can be supported, and how they can safely share their concerns in any context: at school, in the local community, and at home through a resource he has developed.
We have several articles relating to ‘Relaxed Performances’ in this issue, as I’m sure some schools and families will be planning a theatre trip over the festive season. As more and more places are adapting the experience to be more inclusive, Emma Bradshaw explains on page 57 that even a trip to the circus is now more accessible, with information provided in advance and no unwelcome surprises.
We have all the usual regulars for you, including a review of one of my favourite books of the year by Ginny Bootman, who has produced a practical and useful guide to managing the role of SENDCO. The tips are drawn from her own experience and I recognise many of the situations she refers to such as those ‘spiky’ emails from parents and taking time to ‘listen to the quiet voices’. Brilliant.
We are grateful for the continued support all the contributors, advertisers and readers who make SEN Magazine possible. I’d like to also thank those subscribers who took the time to respond to our recent survey. We will be contacting you shortly about the subscription offer. Please do contact me if you have any thoughts around topics to cover or to let me know of resources or books or anything you think deserves a wider audience.
I hope you enjoy what we’ve put together, and thanks as always to the brilliant team here.
Embrace the winter evenings…
Mary
Click here to read SEN Magazine SEN127 online
Therapeutic horticulture, Aspergers, SEND reforms, Attachment, Music therapy, Powerchair football, DSA funding, PMLD, Professional support, Relaxed performances, Storytelling, Creative tech, News, Book reviews, What’s New, CPD & Events, Resources and more
