SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant (Special Educational Needs Podcast)

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of SEND in the Experts, Georgina Durrant (SEND Specialist, former SENDCo and author) is joined by Natalie, a former teacher and mum to four-year-old Freddie, who is autistic, non-speaking and has pica, a condition that leads him to eat non-food items. Natalie's story gained national attention after she spoke to the BBC about her fears for Freddie's safety and the challenges her family has faced in securing the right educational provision for him. Freddie's complex needs, combined with delays in the SEND system and a shortage of specialist school places, have left Natalie navigating an incredibly difficult journey

Together, Georgina and Natalie discuss who Freddie is beyond his diagnoses, the joys he brings to family life, and the realities of raising a child who requires constant supervision due to a lack of danger awareness, climbing, elopement risks and pica. Natalie shares her experiences of communicating with a non-speaking child, moving from being a SEND professional to a parent advocating for her own child, and the emotional impact of an EHCP process that took 40 weeks rather than the statutory 20.

This episode shines a light on the challenges many families face when specialist provision is identified as necessary but unavailable, and explores why early, appropriate support is so crucial for children's learning, communication and wellbeing. Honest, moving and thought-provoking, Natalie's story will resonate with parents, educators and anyone with an interest in creating better outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Content note: This episode discusses the challenges of navigating the SEND system, including concerns around school placements, child safety and parental wellbeing.

SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant

Guest: James Searjeant – Headteacher, Inclusion Advocate & Member of the Twinkl Inclusion Advisory Board

In this episode of SEND in the Experts, Georgina Durrant is joined by James Searjeant, an experienced primary school leader known for his calm, reflective approach and his deep commitment to inclusive practice. With a career spanning early years and primary settings, James champions the belief that every child deserves to feel safe, supported and able to succeed. As headteacher of Wyborne School, he leads with the principle that behaviour is communication, and he works closely with staff, families and professionals to build a school culture rooted in wellbeing, consistency and belonging.

James also contributes to national conversations on inclusion through his work with the Twinkl Inclusion Advisory Board, bringing both practical insight and thoughtful challenge to the wider system.

• You’ll get a clear, grounded picture of what inclusion actually looks like in a mainstream primary school — not theory, but the day‑to‑day reality.
• If you’re navigating the SEND reforms or the Schools White Paper, James offers a balanced view of what feels promising and what may be harder to deliver on the ground.
• For anyone passionate about early identification and early intervention, James shares what effective support looks like at Wyborne and what needs to shift nationally for consistency.
• If you’ve ever felt the tension between data pressures and doing what’s right for children, James talks openly about how he keeps his school anchored in values.
• You’ll hear how he builds professional trust and agency, creating a staff culture where judgement is valued and adaptation is encouraged.
• And if belonging matters to you — for pupils, families or staff — James offers a compelling look at how Wyborne nurtures a genuine sense of community.
• Finally, James shares the one thing he wishes policymakers truly understood about making inclusion sustainable in mainstream schools.

This episode is packed with practical insight, honest reflection and a refreshing clarity about what inclusive education can look like when it’s done with intention. Whether you’re a teacher, SENDCO, school leader or parent, you’ll come away with ideas, reassurance and a renewed sense of what’s possible.

SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant — Special Book Launch Episode

This week on SEND in the Experts, we’re doing something completely different. Host Georgina Durrant steps out of the interviewer’s chair and into the hot seat as a guest to celebrate the release of her brand‑new book, SEND Strategies for the Secondary Years.

To mark the occasion, Georgina is joined by her colleague and friend Michelle Windridge, who takes over as guest host for this special behind‑the‑scenes conversation.

If you support, teach, or parent young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), this is an episode you’ll want to save, share, and return to again and again.

Michelle guides Georgina through an honest, insightful and deeply practical discussion about the challenges facing young people with SEND in secondary school, and what adults (parents and teachers) can do right now to support them.

Georgina explains why this book matters so much at a time when the SEND system is described as “broken”, “under‑resourced” and “in crisis”. Instead of waiting for system‑level reform, she focuses on what teachers, parents and carers can do immediately to support young people who are struggling with communication, emotional regulation, organisation, literacy, sensory needs and more.

Secondary teachers often see hundreds of pupils a week, and many young people mask or go unnoticed. Georgina shares why focusing on areas of need (rather than waiting for diagnosis) empowers adults to act early and confidently.

From complex language demands to fast‑paced lessons and a more intense social world, Georgina breaks down why secondary school can be especially challenging for neurodivergent young people, and why timely support is crucial.

Georgina shares simple, powerful adjustments that make a huge difference at school and home, including:

• reducing spoken instructions
• using visual supports
• breaking tasks into steps
• offering processing time
• practical movement breaks
• sensory‑friendly classroom tweaks
• organisation scaffolds like routines and checklists
• 
  

These strategies don’t require a diagnosis, an EHCP or extra funding , just awareness and intention.

Georgina explains how to create environments where neurodivergent young people can thrive as themselves, not as a version of themselves that fits a neurotypical mould.

The book includes powerful case studies from teenagers and adults reflecting on their secondary school experiences. Georgina shares what she learned from their honesty, especially the importance of early identification, feeling understood, and the life‑changing impact of the right adult at the right time.

This episode is essential listening for:

• Secondary teachers wanting practical, realistic SEND strategies
• Parents and carers supporting young people with SEND
• SENDCos and school leaders looking to strengthen whole‑school SEND practice
• Anyone working with neurodivergent young people

You’ll walk away feeling informed, empowered and ready to make meaningful changes — even in a system that isn’t working as it should.

With its focus on actionable strategies, neuro‑affirming practice, and supporting needs rather than waiting for diagnoses, this conversation offers exactly the kind of clarity and compassion that so many families and educators are searching for.

Special Episode: Georgia Gould MP on the SEND Reforms

In this timely and special episode of SEND in the Experts podcast, Georgina Durrant sits down with Georgia Gould MP for a conversation following the release of the government’s proposed SEND reforms in the Schools White Paper: Every Child Achieving and Thriving on Monday. With so many families, educators and professionals eager to understand what these changes could mean, this episode offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from the minister at the centre of it all.

Georgina and Minister Gould explore the big themes shaping the reforms, from support plans and legal frameworks to training, specialist provision and inclusion. They discuss the intentions behind the proposals, the challenges the system is facing, and the hopes for what these reforms might achieve. The conversation opens up important reflections on the future of SEND support and the principles guiding the government’s approach.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, TA, SENDCo or simply someone invested in improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND, this episode provides thoughtful insight at a pivotal moment. It’s a chance to hear the questions being asked across the sector, and to listen in on a candid discussion about what comes next.

Consultation: https://consult.education.gov.uk/send-strategy-division/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-firs/

Mindmap of the proposed changes for Parents: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/send-reforms-proposed-changes-for-parents-mind-map-t-par-1771934762

Mindmap of the proposed changes for SENDCos: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/send-reforms-what-are-the-key-proposed-changes-for-sendcos-t-s-1771935800

Mindmap of proposed changes for teachers: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/send-reforms-what-are-the-key-changes-for-teachers-mind-map-t-1771954381

In this episode of SEND in the Experts, leading SEND podcast, host and former SENDCo and author Georgina Durrant welcomes Dan Tresman, Founder and CEO of Light Years Education Ltd and former Founding Headteacher of the Ofsted Outstanding Light Years School. With extensive leadership experience across specialist, residential, and mainstream settings, Dan offers a rare, honest, and deeply practical insight into what’s really happening across the SEND landscape today.

This episode is essential listening for anyone working in or alongside SEND provision, whether in mainstream or specialist environments and covers what mainstream schiools can learn from specialist settings and vice versa.

you'll get:

Dan breaks down the pressures facing specialist schools, from the rising complexity of need to delays with assessments, and explains how these issues connect to the wider national picture.

The episode explores how specialist and mainstream schools can work together more effectively, with real examples of successful partnerships and the impact they’ve had on pupils and staff.

Listeners hear thoughtful reflections on how specialist and mainstream provision might evolve, and what needs to change at policy and leadership levels to ensure every child receives the support they deserve. Reflecting on the current Dfe online conversations being had ahead of the Schools White Paper and SEND reforms.

From strengthening SEND provision to building inclusive cultures, Dan offers clear, grounded guidance for leaders who want to improve but aren’t sure where to begin.

• Dan’s career journey and what drives his passion for SEND
• The creation and rapid success of Light Years School
• The biggest challenges facing specialist settings today
• How specialist and mainstream schools can share expertise
• Real examples of effective collaboration
• Barriers to partnership—and how to overcome them
• What mainstream teachers can learn from specialist approaches
• A shared vision for a more inclusive future

• SENDCOs and aspiring SENDCOs
• Mainstream teachers and senior leaders
• Specialist school staff
• Educational psychologists and therapists
• Parents and carers
• Anyone passionate about improving SEND provision

Twinkl inclusion hub: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/inclusion-teaching-resources

Symbols resources: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/apps/twinkl-symbols

Inclusive schools network sign up form from Dan:

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=XIqdQkF82kSqaTLDifFGBe2ltw1d7CxIh9m0fCwTpaxUOEwyUlhOS1RUUEtIQktLOFIwRFY2MUFQRS4u&route=shorturl

SEND podcast, SEND support, specialist schools, mainstream inclusion, autism education, SEMH, SENCO advice, Light Years Education, Ofsted Outstanding special school, inclusive teaching strategies, EHCP challenges, collaboration between mainstream and specialist schools, SEND leadership, neurodiversity in education, SEND reforms, SEND online conversations, Dfe, Schools White Paper.

In this festive episode of SEND in the Experts, host Georgina Durrant speaks with Amanda Protheroe, Parent Educational Content Lead for SEND at Twinkl. Amanda draws on her experience as a class teacher, SENDCo in primary schools, and her personal journey of supporting a sibling with SEND. She shares practical advice and heartfelt insights to help families navigate the holiday season with children and young people who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

🎄 Episode highlights include:

• Amanda’s background and passion for supporting parents of children with SEND.
• What Christmas looks like in her household as a sibling of a SEND adult.
• Common festive challenges for children with SEND- including changes to routine and sensory overload.
• How parents can manage expectations and reduce pressure around creating the “perfect” Christmas.
• Practical strategies to support children with sensory sensitivities during noisy gatherings, flashing lights, and busy events.
• Preparing children for changes in routine, such as visiting relatives or attending school Christmas activities.
• Tips for supporting restricted diets and food sensitivities during festive meals.
• Alternative ways families can create meaningful traditions if they feel isolated.
• Amanda’s one piece of advice for parents heading into the festive season.

✨ This episode is packed with SEND parenting tips, Christmas survival strategies, and supportive advice for families who want to make the holidays calmer, more inclusive, and more joyful for their children.

• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
• SEND parenting tips
• Christmas with SEND children
• Supporting families with SEND
• Sensory overload strategies
• SEND festive traditions
• Inclusive Christmas ideas

SEND parent support: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/parent-support-send-parents/home-support-parent-support-send-parents/seasonal-events-home-support-parent-support-send-parents

Parent guide to supporting autistic children at Christmas: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/supporting-your-autistic-child-at-christmastime-t-par-1665380754

Inclusion (SEND) resources: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/inclusion-teaching-resources

Welcome back to SEND in the Experts, hosted by Georgina Durrant, where we bring you conversations with leading voices in the world of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Each episode is designed to support parents, carers, and teachers who want to better understand and empower children with SEND.

This week, Georgina is joined by acclaimed author Margaret Rooke, whose books have given a platform to young people with dyslexia and other forms of neurodivergence. Margaret has written multiple titles, including Dyslexia is My Superpower and Different Like Us. Her latest book revisits the young people she first interviewed, now adults navigating life with creativity, resilience, and strength.

• Margaret’s journey as a writer and advocate for neurodivergent voices
• Why she chose to reconnect with the young people from Dyslexia is My Superpower as they entered adulthood, and the powerful lessons their stories reveal.
• How dyslexic strengths—like problem‑solving, creativity, and innovation—challenge traditional narratives in schools and education.
• Reassuring messages for parents of younger children who may feel anxious about the future, and why hope is central to Margaret’s work.
• The tension between conventional academic routes and the reality that many neurodivergent young people thrive outside them—and how schools and families can hold space for that.
• The origins of Margaret’s passion for writing about dyslexia, and how her journey began.
• Why her books don’t just inform but validate lived experiences, and how that intention evolved through storytelling.
• Insights from Different Like Us on what it means to feel “different,” and the patterns Margaret observed across diverse stories of childhood.
• The one thing Margaret would change about how society views dyslexia and neurodivergence today.

This episode is especially valuable for:

• Parents who want reassurance about their child’s future and practical insights into how dyslexia can sometimes bring strengths
• Teachers looking for ways to celebrate creativity and problem‑solving in the classroom, and to challenge outdated narratives about SEND.
• Carers and advocates who want to hold space for young people to thrive both inside and outside traditional academic routes.
• 
  

• Dyslexia podcast for parents and teachers
• SEND education support
• Parenting children with dyslexia
• Margaret Rooke books and author insights
• Dyslexia strengths and creativity
• Different Like Us book discussion
• Dyslexia is My Superpower revisited

🎙️ New Episode: “Play Time” with Céin McGillicuddy & Andy Kinnear

In this very special episode of SEND in the Experts, host Georgina Durrant is joined by the brilliant creative duo behind ITV’s brand new pilot Play Time — comedy writer/director Céin McGillicuddy and editor/writer Andy Kinnear.

Play Time is a joyful, heartwarming new show where six neurodivergent comedians are challenged to devise and perform an original stage play — all in one school day — based entirely on the imaginations of a group of 6 to 8-year-old children from a primary school’s SEND department. It’s a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the power of neurodivergent voices.

In this episode, Céin and Andy share:

• The inspiration behind Play Time and how Céin’s own late autism diagnosis shaped the show’s vision
• Why amplifying neurodivergent voices in comedy and media is so vital
• Behind-the-scenes stories from filming — including the most surprising and joyful moments
• How Play Time contributes to Disability History Month and wider conversations about inclusion
• The legacy of The Assembly and how it paved the way for this new format
• What they hope families take away from watching the show

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just someone who believes in the power of inclusive storytelling, this episode is not to be missed.

📺 Play Time is streaming now on ITVX and YouTube.

In this insightful episode of SEND in the Experts for Twinkl, host Georgina Durrant, former teacher and SENDCO, author and Twinkl's National Inclusion Lead - welcomes Adam Sproston, Senior His Majesty’s Inspector for SEND, Alternative Provision (AP), and Inclusion at Ofsted. Together, they explore the 2025 updates to Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework (EIF), which now includes an enhanced focus on inclusion.

🎧 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Adam’s career journey from classroom teacher to national SEND leader
• Why he joined Ofsted and his passion for inclusive education
• What the new inspection framework, confirmed in September 2025 (rolled out November 10th), means for schools and SEND learners
• How inspectors will evaluate inclusion and SEND support during inspections
• What school leaders and teachers can expect from the enhanced inclusion lens
• How school context, such as high proportions of learners with SEND, is considered during inspection
• Reassurance for parents and carers about the quality of SEND provision
• Ofsted’s broader work to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND

Whether you’re a teacher, SENDCO, school leader, or parent, this episode offers essential insights into how Ofsted’s 2025 inspection reforms are reshaping inclusive education in England.

Tune in now to stay informed on the latest developments in SEND and inclusion within the UK education system.

• Twinkl's Inclusion hub : https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/inclusion-teaching-resources
• Ofsted Inspection Framework: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-inspection-framework/education-inspection-framework-for-use-from-november-2025

Ofsted 2025 inspection framework, inclusion in schools, SEND provision UK, Adam Sproston Ofsted, Georgina Durrant podcast, Twinkl SEND, educational inspection updates, SENDCO support, alternative provision Ofsted, inclusive education England

Solving the SEND Crisis with Helen Hayes MP SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant

In this powerful episode, Georgina Durrant is joined by Helen Hayes MP, Chair of the Education Committee, to unpack the Committee’s landmark report: Solving the SEND Crisis. With over 890 evidence submissions, including one from Twinkl, this report calls for a radical culture shift and increased funding to make mainstream education genuinely inclusive for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Together, Georgina and Helen explore:

• Why trust in the SEND system is broken, and how to rebuild it
• The future of EHCPs and legal protections for learners with SEND
• What true inclusion in schools should look like
• The committee's recommendations for a national framework for SEND support
• Mandatory SEND training for teachers, leaders, and inspectors
• How Ontario’s inclusive model could inspire UK reform

Whether you're a teacher, parent, SENDCo, policymaker or advocate, this episode offers vital insights into the future of SEND education, and what needs to change to make it work for every child.

Find out more about Twinkl's inclusion resources here: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/inclusion-teaching-resources

Photograph of Helen Hayes displayed ©House of Commons/Roger Harris