It can be difficult to understand exactly how much we use our senses for all daily tasks.

Today, Dale discusses the fascinating world of sensory processing with our special guest, Ali Neal, an experienced occupational therapist. She discusses how sensory processing impacts daily life, particularly for children and individuals in educational settings.

Ali takes us through a fun and relatable exercise involving sweets, illustrating how sensory processing plays a role in even the simplest tasks. Make sure you grab a sweet before tuning in (a great excuse to enjoy a treat)!

Ali breaks down the steps involved in enjoying the sweet, from unwrapping it to savouring the taste. She highlights what can go wrong in this process when sensory information isn't processed effectively.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Ali Neal

Ali Neal is a specialist Occupational Therapist with advanced training in sensory processing. She runs School Sensory Solutions which provides regular and cost effective training for all educators supporting SEN and neurodivergent pupils in schools via an online learning platform. Ali prides herself in finding solutions to everyday problems experienced by children and young people at school that actually work and supporting teachers to incorporate these in their already busy days.

Ali presents regularly at national level on the topic of Occupational Therapy and sensory processing for a number of organisations across the country including at both The Autism Show and The OT Show. She has written a book on Sensory Movement Breaks and has written an award winning program for developing motor skills for children with special educational needs.

Contact Ali

www.schoolsensorysolutions.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/SchoolSensorySolutions/

ali@schoolsensorysolutions

https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-sensory-solutions/

Useful Links

School Sensory Solutions training membership

Sensory movement breaks

101 sensory circuit activities

• 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 – [email protected]
• 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.

Navigating the SEND system can be overwhelming, and many parents find themselves without essential information until it's too late. Unfortunately, there's no handbook to guide us. Often, parents only begin to understand SEN processes, the graduated approach, and even SEN law when their child is already struggling.

This week, we welcome Samantha Ryan, a neurodivergent mother, SEND advocate, and author. In this insightful episode, Samantha shares her journey as a parent navigating the complex SEND system, advocating for her autistic son who has been out of school since March 2024. With her unique perspective, she discusses the emotional challenges faced by parents and the critical importance of being informed about the SEND process.

Key highlights from their discussion:

• The significance of understanding the assess, plan, do, review (APDR) cycle and how it impacts your child's educational journey.
• Practical advice on how parents can work collaboratively with schools to ensure their children's needs are met.
• The importance of early intervention and how informed parents can help prevent crises before they escalate.
• Insight into the emotional toll of navigating the SEND system and the need for a supportive community.

Samantha's experiences and insights can empower parents and educators alike to create a more inclusive environment for all children with SEND.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Samantha Ryan

I am a neurodivergent mother, informal SEND advocate, and author of SEND Help! and A Parent's Guide to SEND Life and Law (although my day job is Global Process Owner working in Finance process and systems for ITV).

My son is autistic, PDA and probable ADHD. He hit burnout at school in March 2024 and was left with trauma after being restrained during a mental health crisis. He has been out of education since that fateful day. I have been fighting for support and continue to battle through the SEND support system.

I spent a year as co-admin helping to grow the Facebook group SEN Parent Support Group which was setup by Andrea Dixon-Boldy in February 2024 and was at 19,000 members by the time I left the group in May this year. Over that time, I did my IPSEA SEN law training for parents, created hundreds of resources breaking down SEN processes, designed and delivered training to hundreds of parents and offered parent-to-parent support alongside our amazing team of volunteers.

I am passionate about empowering families with the knowledge they deserve before they reach crisis point.

Contact Samantha

https://linktr.ee/samantharyansendnd

https://www.facebook.com/Sam.MentallyHilariousMum/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sam_mhm

Useful Links

Available on Amazon:

Parent's Guide to SEND Life and Law :

Amazon.com: PARENT'S GUIDE TO SEND LIFE & LAW: Rights, reality, resilience & resistance: A Parent's Survival Guide to SEND Law, Life, and the Support That Saves Us eBook : Ryan, Samantha: Kindle Store

SEND Help! A Parent's Toolkit to Navigating SEND Processes

SEND Help!: A Parent's Toolkit to Navigating SEND Process eBook : Ryan, Samantha: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

• 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 – [email protected]
• 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.

Have you heard of the TV show The Assembly? I'm thrilled to announce that the series director, Céin McGillicuddy and his creative partner Andy Kinnear, have joined Dale on the podcast to discuss their brand-new pilot show on ITV – Play Time!

Play Time features six neurodivergent comedians visiting a primary school and are challenged, in the course of one school day, to create and perform an original stage play that's based entirely on the ideas of a group of 6 to 8 year old school children, many of them from the school's SEND department.

Céin and Andy share their behind-the-scenes experience of creating Play Time, their inspiration for the show and why they feel it's important to make inclusive shows like this. Positive representation of SEND in mainstream media, such as Play Time, helps normalise these experiences and reduces the sense of 'other' often associated with SEND.

"Play Time is about listening to children that don't usually get heard."

The show is now available on ITVX and YouTube and will be broadcast on ITV tonight at 11.15pm. Make sure you watch this heart-warming, feel-good show. We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did! Please tell your friends and family and spread the word!

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

Watch the show on

ITVx, YouTube or ITV

Live on ITV

Sunday 9th November at 11.15pm

Watch the Trailer here: https://vimeo.com/1122234831/b93216bdcb

Would you like Play Time to come to your school?

If anyone listening likes the idea of the comedians visiting their school in a future episode, no matter where in the UK you are, please do feel free to drop Céin an email on [email protected].

About Céin McGillicuddy

Céin McGillicuddy is the comedy writer/director behind comedies Top Coppers, Sexy Murder and Law Man as well as the director of the most recent two series of the BAFTA winning Horrible Histories. Working across both scripted and unscripted, Céin was also the showrunner and series director behind the return of cult hit GamesMaster in 2021 as well as series directing the bold new interview series The Assembly on ITV. Following a late-stage diagnosis for autism, he was inspired to combine his work in comedy and on The Assembly to co-create Play Time; a brand new, charming comedy entertainment format that champions neurodivergent adults and children. Out now on ITVX and YouTube.

About Andy Kinnear

Andy Kinnear is a freelance comedy Editor and writer. A 15 year editing career working on Bafta winning Comedy and Entertainment from Facejacker and Derren Brown, through to scripted comedy such as Harry & Paul, Trying, Cuckoo, Here We Go and Smoggie Queens has established him as one of the most sought after Editors in the industry. His writing partnership with Céin Mcgillicuddy includes cult hit Top Coppers, Sexy Murder and Law Man and their most recent collaboration: Play Time - a brand new, charming comedy entertainment format that champions neurodivergent adults and children. Out now on ITVX and YouTube.

Contact Céin

http://www.nannycaddie.co.uk/

http://www.cein.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/ceinmcg/

[email protected]

Contact Andy

http://www.nannycaddie.co.uk/

http://www.andykinnear.com/

[email protected]

Useful Links

• 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 – [email protected]
• 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.

In this week's episode, Dr Sue Jennings, a leading expert in neuro-dramatic play and drama therapy, joins Dale to explore Neuro-Dramatic-Play (NDP). Sue explains that NDP is an attachment-based approach designed to help children, particularly those with negative early experiences, build connections through play. She emphasises the critical role of early attachment, noting that it begins even before birth and is essential for healthy emotional development. Sue shares her incredible stories having worked across over 30 countries, including her time living with a tribal community in Malaysia.

Dale and Sue explore three main types of play: rhythmic play, which promotes calm and connection through structured activities; messy play, which encourages exploration and experimentation, vital for cognitive and social development; and dramatic play, allowing children to express emotions and process experiences in a safe environment. Sue also highlights the importance of creating safe spaces for children, especially during transitions and periods of change.

"I think too often children are being treated like little grown-ups rather than as children."

Dr Sue Jennings

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Dr Sue Jennings

Early career in theatre as dancer and actor; innovator Neuro-Dramatic-Play (NDP) and Dramatherapy in the UK, Greece, Romania, Malaysia, China, India. Doctoral research in Malaysian rain forest, living with tribal people for 18 mths, with my 3 children. NDP training courses on line for participants from over 30 countries. Passionate about healthy early child development. Published over 50 books on NDP, drama, play, therapeutic play and drama, storytelling, attachment

Contact Sue

www.ndpltd.org

https://www.facebook.com/NDPTherapy/

[email protected]

Useful Links

Handbook of neuro-dramatic-play

Healthy Attachments and Neuro-Dramatic-Play

• 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 – [email protected]
• 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.

The mainstream school environment can be overwhelming for many neurodivergent students, with sensory overload and social challenges often creating significant barriers to learning. Today, we explore an alternative educational pathway that removes these obstacles – a 'Specialist Online Provision for Neurodivergent Learners'.

In this episode, Dale speaks to Cathy Wassall, founder and CEO of the Autistic Girls Network and the Haven Online School. Cathy, a neurodivergent advocate and mother to neurodivergent young adults, shares her journey and insights into how online education can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for learners.

Key topics covered:

• Understanding Autism in Girls: Cathy discusses the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent girls, particularly how autism often presents in an internalised manner, leading to late diagnoses and struggles in school.
• Personalised Learning Environment: Online schools allow students to learn at their own pace and in a setting that suits their sensory needs, reducing anxiety and distractions.
• Flexible Curriculum: The Haven School offers a mainstream curriculum tailored to individual interests, enabling students to engage deeply with subjects they are passionate about.
• Enhanced Autonomy: Students have the freedom to choose how they learn, fostering independence and self-advocacy skills.
• Supportive Community: Online platforms provide a safe space where neurodivergent learners can connect with peers who understand their experiences, reducing feelings of isolation.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Cathy Wassell

Founder of Autistic Girls Network charity and The Haven online school for neurodivergent girls and non-binary young people. Neurodivergent mum to neurodivergent young adults. Author of Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person Plenty of experience of typical SEND parent battles.

Contact Cathy

http://www.autisticgirlsnetwork.org

https://www.facebook.com/AutisticGirlsNetwork

https://www.instagram.com/AutisticGirlsNetwork

[email protected]

Useful Links

Nurturing Your Young Autistic Person Book

Workshops for families

• 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 – [email protected]
• 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.

With ADHD awareness month upon us, we wanted to discuss the important topic of 'the experiences of girls in school with diagnosed/undiagnosed ADHD'. In this episode, Louise Belshaw, who has ADHD and is a mother to two adult children with the condition, shares her extensive experience as a secondary teacher and her specialisation in ADHD in females. She highlights that:

"I've seen too many girls not get the diagnosis, or not go forward with the diagnosis, because they're not being supported by school and the teachers don't know what ADHD in girls looks like".

Together, Dale and Louise explore:

• The unique presentation of ADHD in girls vs boys
• Challenges of identity, control, and friendship among neurodiverse females
• Societal expectations on girls' behaviour and self-perception
• The importance of understanding masking and people-pleasing tendencies
• Strategies for educators and parents to support girls with ADHD

Louise emphasises the need for greater awareness and tailored support for girls, especially during secondary school. This episode sheds light on the complexities of ADHD in females and offers valuable insights.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Louise Belshaw

I'm Louise Belshaw BA Hons, PGCE, MSc. CALC. I'm a certified ADHD life coach with a Masters degree in Psychology.

My expertise is grounded in both professional training and lived experience. I'm also a mum to two children with ADHD, so I understand first hand the everyday challenges that ADHD can bring at home, at school, and during the often tricky transitions into adulthood.

I know how much of a difference it makes to feel heard and understood. I've been fortunate to receive support from people who truly understood me and my children, but I've also experienced the distress of seeing my child's needs overlooked by professionals. This is why I'm so passionate about making sure others don't feel as alone or unsupported.

Before becoming a coach, I spent over 25 years as a secondary school teacher and department head. During that time, I saw first-hand what helped young people with ADHD to thrive in the classroom - and what didn't. I also worked closely with parents and teachers who often felt unsure how best to support these students, despite their care and good intentions. Again and again, I saw how much difference the right understanding, strategies, and guidance could make.

This experience led me to create The ADHD Teacher, an online service offering coaching, mentoring, and consultancy to empower individuals with ADHD and the people who support them.

My mission is to help you gain the tools, knowledge, and confidence to thrive. Whether you are a young person with ADHD, a parent seeking support, or an educator looking for expert guidance, I am here to help you turn challenges into real opportunities for growth.

Contact Louise

www.the-adhd-teacher.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/the.adhd.teacher.understanding.experience.support/

https://www.instagram.com/the_adhd_teacher

https://x.com/lublub15

www.linkedin.com/in/theadhdteacherwww.linkedin.com/in/theadhdteacher

[email protected]

Useful Links

A summary of an Interpretative Phenomenological Study into the Experiences of Secondary School in Women with Undiagnosed ADHD

Further ADHD Resources available to you

October is ADHD awareness month and the SENDcast are proud to join in solidarity to celebrate and provide resources to improve awareness! Check out other FREE podcasts and our CPD training sessions... Supporting ADHD awareness month 2025

• 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 – [email protected]
• 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.

This OCD Awareness Week, I invite you to listen to our latest episode of the SENDcast, featuring Shaun Flores, a mental health advocate and consultant. In this honest and enlightening discussion 'The Reality of OCD: Creating Safe Spaces for SEND Students', Shaun sheds light on the often-misunderstood condition of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Trigger Warning: This podcast discusses difficult subjects, including sexual assault.

"We understand autism, we understand ADHD, we understand anxiety, we understand depression, we understand dyslexia and dyspraxia and dyscalculia, but we still don't understand OCD."

Shaun Flores

When we think of OCD, we typically associate it with cleaning and being neat and tidy - a misconception heavily portrayed by the media. However, for those who live with OCD, it can be a devastating and crippling mental health condition rooted in fear.

Shaun highlights the significant delays in diagnosis that many face due to a lack of public understanding, stigma, and frequent misdiagnosis. He also discusses the strong links between OCD and other conditions such as autism, ADHD, and Tourette's syndrome.

In this episode, you'll hear Shaun share his personal experiences and insights, emphasising the importance of recognising key signs in students. He provides a deeper understanding of what OCD really is, its physical and mental impact, and treatment options available.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Shaun Flores

Shaun Flores is a mental health advocate, speaker, and educator who uses his lived experience to spark honest conversations about neurodiversity and wellbeing. Diagnosed with OCD and ADHD as an adult, Shaun brings a rare blend of personal insight and professional expertise to the way he works with schools, universities, and communities.

He has delivered five TEDx talks, spoken across the NHS and higher education, and created original programmes such as Rejection Rehab™ and The Flores Effect™, designed to help young people build resilience, confidence, and critical thinking skills.

As a former model who has navigated grief, stigma, and the challenges of invisible disabilities, Shaun is passionate about showing that vulnerability is strength. His work challenges stereotypes, amplifies underrepresented voices, and gives practical tools for those living with SEND needs — and those supporting them. When Shaun speaks, he doesn't just inform; he creates safe spaces where people feel seen, valued.

Contact Shaun

https://shaun-flores.com/

https://www.instagram.com/theshaunflores/

[email protected]

Useful Links

TEDx Talk - The Urgency of Early Intervention: Transforming Lives with OCD

Article - OCD convinced me I was a rapist

TEDx Talk - OCD: The Brutality of a Misunderstood Illness

• 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 – [email protected]
• 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.

When a doctor or professional asks for details about when, why and where your child's meltdown occurred, unless you have the most incredible memory, it's unlikely you'll be able to remember the finer details. Triggers, timings, environments are all helpful in understanding a child's behaviour, but how can you keep track of them?

"If I had to go speak to my GP or anyone and they said to me, you know what's been going on in the last six months, I'd say, I have no idea."

Sharona Smith

Dale had a heartfelt conversation with Sharona Smith, the founder and CEO of Thrive Creations. As a mother of twins, one with ADHD, Sharona tells us about her journey moving to the UK and the challenges she faced with her son. She opens up about her experiences, including the struggles she encountered and how a particularly intense meltdown inspired her to create tools that support both parents and SEND children.

Drawing on her background as a SEN teacher, Sharona sought a better way to document her son's behaviour to identify patterns that could enhance her support for him. This led to the development of the 'Don't Just Survive: Thrive Journal', which she explains can ease the journey for SEN families. By recognising patterns, parents can gain valuable insights into their child's behaviour - a true game changer.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Sharona Smith

I'm Sharona, mum of twins (one of whom has ADHD). Moved to the UK from South Africa in 2022 (when the twins were 2 years old). Started Thrive Creations in October 2024 after breaking down due to my son's intense meltdown and needing something to support my journey.

Contact Sharona

www.thrivecreations.org

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568284555871

https://www.instagram.com/thrivecreationsuk/

[email protected]

Useful Links

• 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 – [email protected]
• 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.

Attendance is a national priority, yet many interventions focus on behaviour management rather than addressing underlying SEMH needs.

Helen Bray, the Director of SEND for the East Midlands Education Trust, joins Dale today to discuss the impact of SEMH challenges, post-pandemic trauma, and the rise of emotionally based school avoidance on attendance rates. With over 20 years of experience across early years, primary, and secondary education, Helen is incredibly passionate about supporting all pupils to succeed.

"It's so isolating and so hard for these children and parents where they just physically cannot walk through those gates".

Helen Bray

Listen to hear the underlying reasons for low attendance and how they connect to students' emotional readiness. Helen highlights strategies schools can implement to create a supportive environment for students facing these challenges. She emphasises the importance of building strong relationships with students and their families to foster trust and engagement.

Helen also shares insights on how we can better understand our children's needs and the importance of being flexible in our approaches to support.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Helen Bray

Director of SEND for the East Midlands Education Trust, with 20 years of experience in teaching and leadership across early years, primary, and secondary education. A passionate advocate for adaptive practice, I work with schools to embed it as the golden thread through all teaching and learning.

I champion relational practice, ensuring high-quality SEMH support is a core part of every school's universal offer. Committed to breaking down the silos, I believe in a holistic approach to supporting children and young people. I also collaborate closely with local authorities to improve inclusion services for children and families.

Contact Helen

https://www.emet.uk.com/

www.linkedin.com/in/helen-bray-b8130826a

Useful Links

Positive Social : Helping young people survive + thrive on social media

Mental health issues affecting a pupil's attendance: guidance for schools - GOV.UK

When the adults change, everything changes by Paul Dix

Square Pegs: Inclusivity, Compassion and Fitting In - A Guide for Schools - Fran Morgan & Ellie Costello

Survival Psychology – Tony Brooks

Want to hear more about supporting SEMH?

This October, Richard Daniel-Curtis is joining Dale live in our studio to present 2 CPD training sessions:

1. Supporting SEMH in the classroom 2. Understanding the early causes of mental health difficulties and how to support pupils

Register your place now for just £10 per session which can be shared with your whole school.

• 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 – [email protected]
• 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.

As SEND registers continue to grow and expectations rise across the profession, many SENDCOs are leaving due to overwhelming workloads and lack of support. It's crucial that we rethink how to empower teachers to meet their students' needs.

In today's episode, Dale was joined by Eleanor Sams, an Assistant Headteacher and SENDCO at the Marvel College in Hull. Eleanor tells us about 'developing distributive leadership in secondary schools to improve inclusion' sharing her school's successful implementation.

Their discussion includes:

• Key challenges for new SENDCOs: The pressure to be an expert in everything and how this can be especially overwhelming in larger settings.
• Strategies for conducting a whole school SEND review: Helping new SENDCOs identify strengths and areas for improvement.
• The concept of all teachers as teachers of SEND: Addressing the nervousness some staff may feel and exploring how to overcome this.

Eleanor provides valuable insights on implementing a distributive leadership model, illustrating what this can look like in a large setting. When schools get it right, it empowers teachers to understand their learners better and meet their needs more effectively, all while relieving SENDCO workloads. She also explains how this approach can be implemented with minimal cost and has been proven to increase attendance, improve outcomes, and reduce behavioural incidents.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

About Eleanor Sams

Ellie Sams is an Assistant Headteacher (SENDCO) at The Marvell College in Hull.

Ellie has supported children with SEND since 2011, across both specialist and mainstream settings. She joined the Marvell College in 2016 as a Teacher of History. She has worked as a Head of Year and was appointed as Assistant Headteacher and SENDCO in 2022.

Since 2022, Ellie has worked alongside the Senior Leadership Team to develop a culture of inclusion that runs throughout all areas of the school. Alongside her responsibilities at The Marvell College, Ellie supports across the trust as a SEND Hub leader, this includes supporting the development of provision for students with SEND across a number of primary schools. She is also a trustee at Humberston Park Special School, responsible for Transdisciplinarity and Learning.

Contact Ellie

https://www.themarvellcollege.com/

www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-sams-sendco

Useful Links

• 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 – [email protected]
• 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.