In this episode of The SEND Network Podcast, Georgie is joined by Manny Awoyelu to discuss the importance of a whole school approach to support oral communication.

Manny and Georgie discuss how:

• Oral Communication is the forgotten discipline after Reading, Writing & Mathematical skills.
• Oral communication deepens learning in the classroom
• Oral Communication is tied to self-advocacy - without language and oral communication skills, we are not truly preparing children to leave their stamp on the world.

About Manny

Manny is former Assistant Head Teacher from the UK, now adventuring in the UAE as an Inclusion Specialist. Manny is an passionate education advocate, speaker and writer. 

Contact Manny here.

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

The SEND Network Podcast is back for Season 8 to kick off the new academic year! And we're bringing you a new host, the brilliant Georgie Green. 

In this opening episode, Georgie is joined by Angela Lydon, former PMLD teacher and now National Manager for the Special Olympics Motor Activities Training Programme. 

This episode covers: 

• The importance of movement as a priority for children and young people with complex needs 
• How to incorporate physical activity into the daily routine
• Access to high quality PE for all students

About Angela

Angela was previously a PMLD teacher with 23 yrs experience in the classroom, and is now the National Manager for the Special Olympics Motor Activities Training Programme. 

Contact Angela via LinkedIn here.

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

In this episode, Izzy and early years specialist Jayne Carter discuss developing the language of emotions in the early years – looking at different approaches and the importance of focusing on helping children improve their ability to express themselves. 

They discuss:

• The EEF’s ‘5 a day principle’ 
• The ‘little and often’ approach
• The significance of ‘hooks’

Resources

• EEF Blog: Five evidence-based strategies to support high-quality teaching for pupils with SEND

About Jayne

Jayne is a qualified primary school teacher and early years specialist, and is the current Programme Development Lead at Partnership for Children.

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the  Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

An estimated 1 million schoolchildren in the UK are affected by dyslexia. Despite this, sometimes the need is overlooked. Dyslexia specialist Louise Selby explains why this can be the case and how dyslexia can be ‘brought back into the room’. 

They discuss:

• The new definition of dyslexia and why we need to talk about it
• What dyslexia can look like
• What can be done in the classroom/school 

Resources

• Dyslexia definition 2025
• Papers - Delphi dyslexia definition research papers, Dyslexia being seen research paper
• Supporting dyslexia across the secondary curriculum
• Dyslexia-friendly learning environment checklists
• Metacognition resources
• Dyslexia-friendly teaching & learning checklists
• Louise's Higher interest lower level books catalogue
• Scaffolding learning activity

About Louise

Louise is a Dyslexia Specialist Teacher & Assessor with 25 years of experience working in schools and is the author of Morph Mastery and All About Dyslexia.

www.louiseselbydyslexia.com

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the  Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, guest host Georgie Green is joined by Speech and Language Therapist, Kate Freeman. They discuss the importance of early intervention to support children with speech, language and communication needs. The key areas covered are: 

• Signs to look out for to identify SLCN
• What does 'early' really mean? 
• What intervention might look like in the classroom
• Key tips to ensure successful interventions

About Kate

Kate is a highly experienced and driven speech and language therapist, author and consultant working with Speech & Language Link and other organisations.

About Speech & Language Link

This episode is sponsored by Speech & Language Link. Speech & Language Link work with schools, MATs, LAs and NHS speech and language therapy teams to help support children with speech, language and communication needs in school, whether that’s through screening tools, intervention materials, guidance, training and support from a therapist-backed help desk. 

Check out their SEND Network profile, including all their content, here.

You can find Speech & Language Link intervention tools and packages here.

The SEND Network

For more information and resources, access the  Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

This week’s episode of the SEND Network Podcast is a special collaboration with the SEND Parenting Podcast. Izzy joins Dr Olivia Kessel and Lynn How to discuss bridging the gap between parents and professionals. They discuss:

• Why parents and professionals sometimes struggle to connect 
• Success stories when communication goes right
• And the “magic formula” for parent-professional collaboration

About Olivia and Lynn

Olivia is a neurodiverse advocate, medical doctor, and the founder and host of the SEND Parenting Podcast, a platform dedicated to supporting parents raising neurodiverse children. To listen to other episodes of the SEND Parenting Podcast, visit sendparenting.com 

Lynn is an educational consultant and SENCO with over 20 years of primary and SLT teaching experience. She has recently released Starting Out as a Primary School SENCO, which you can find here. Check out Lynn’s website too www.positiveyoungmind.com 

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the  Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast
 
 New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

Are you trying to figure out how to make better use of technology in your setting? For this episode, Izzy is joined by Stephanie Smith to discuss using assistive technology effectively. There’s an array of ways it can benefit your setting including:

• Breaking down physical barriers, 
• Engaging students in learning
• Supporting SEMH

On top of exploring the benefits, Stephanie also provides some budget-friendly ways you can include technology in your school. 

About Stephanie:

Stephanie Smith has over ten years of experience working in and alongside the autism community across mainstream and special schools. She is Head of School at The Cavendish School, Cambridgeshire’s first state-maintained special autism school. 

Academy 21 

This episode is sponsored by Academy21, the UK’s leading online, DfE-accredited, alternative provision experts. Working with schools, local authorities and multi-academy trusts, they help students, through live teaching to build confidence, re-engage and progress in their education.

Academy21 works in partnership with schools and other institutions to support students who are struggling with attendance for whatever reason, providing a bridge towards reintegration.

Find out more about Academy21 by heading to their website, academy21.co.uk , or follow them on the SEND Network!

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the  Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

We’re back for another season of the SEND Network Podcast! To kick things off for our seventh series, Izzy is joined by early years specialists Kerry Murphy and David Cahn. 

They discuss neurodiverse play, exploring:

• Kerry’s A–Z of Neurodiverse Play
• David’s work as a neurodiversity-affirming childminder
• How we can decolonise play in early years settings

Resources

• Respecting neurodivergent play: what does it look like?
• Implicit bias may help explain high preschool expulsion rates for black children
• Want to hear more about neurodivergent play? Listen to our episode with Simon Airey! - Valuing and developing neurodivergent play with Simon Airey

About Kerry and David

Kerry Murphy is an early years specialist with over 20 years of experience. She has worked across schools, local authorities, and now lectures at Goldsmiths University.

David Cahn is an early childhood educator with experience across a range of settings. Two years ago, he and his wife launched a childminding service that champions neuroaffirming practice.

Academy 21 

This episode is sponsored by Academy21, the UK’s leading online, DfE-accredited, alternative provision experts. Working with schools, local authorities and multi-academy trusts, they help students, through live teaching to build confidence, re-engage and progress in their education.

Academy21 works in partnership with schools and other institutions to support students who are struggling with attendance for whatever reason, providing a bridge towards reintegration.

Find out more about Academy21 by heading to their website, academy21.co.uk , or follow them on the SEND Network!

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the  Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

In recognition of World Down Syndrome Day last week (21 March 2025), Sharon Smith returns to the podcast to discuss how to best support young people with Down’s Syndrome transition into adulthood. 

In the episode, we cover: 

• Supporting students find their voice
• Bridging the gap between education and employment
• And, importantly, supporting parents to ‘let go’

Resources

• World Down Syndrome Day: Transitioning to Adulthood (age 14-25) - Downloadable resource
• If you are teaching pupils who have Down's syndrome check out these resources from the Down's Syndrome Association or free training.
• NDTI - Preparing for Adulthood: Person-centred Planning Tools

About Sharon Smith

Sharon is a PHD student, Education Advisor and mum to a 20-year-old daughter with Down’s syndrome. As a result, she has been engaged in the SEND system for over 15 years as a parent carer, and now works for the Down’s Syndrome Association.

Contact Sharon
Check out here SEND Network profile
Email: [email protected]

Academy 21 

This episode is sponsored by Academy21, the UK’s leading online, DfE-accredited, alternative provision experts. Working with schools, local authorities and multi-academy trusts, they help students, through live teaching to build confidence, re-engage and progress in their education.

Academy21 works in partnership with schools and other institutions to support students who are struggling with attendance for whatever reason, providing a bridge towards reintegration.

Find out more about Academy21 by heading to their website, academy21.co.uk , or follow them on the SEND Network!

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the  Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

Hester joins Izzy for another episode on MSI (otherwise known as Deafblindness). In this episode, they look at MSI and wellbeing – looking at expressive communication, emotional and social wellbeing and acknowledging the impact MSI has on a child. 

Resources

Are you fun, funny and laughing? The friendships and social relationships of students with complex communication needs in and outside of special school settings - research paper by Hui Jun Ho, Leda Kamenopoulou & Cynthia Pinto

Royal Society for Blind Children's resource page for professionals 

Habilitation training for children at Guide Dogs UK

About Hester

Hester is a former specialist teacher for visual and multi-sensory impairment turned lecturer for the University of Birmingham’s Department of Inclusion and Special Needs, delivering their programme for Education of children with Multi-Sensory Impairments. 

Academy 21

This episode is sponsored by Academy21, the UK’s leading online, DfE-accredited, alternative provision experts. Working with schools, local authorities and multi-academy trusts, they help students, through live teaching to build confidence, re-engage and progress in their education.

Academy21 works in partnership with schools and other institutions to support students who are struggling with attendance for whatever reason, providing a bridge towards reintegration.

Find out more about Academy21 by heading to their website, academy21.co.uk , or follow them on the SEND Network!

The SEND Network

For more information and resources, access the Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)