The SENDcast

Many of us take everyday tasks for granted, like standing up from a chair. However, for individuals with physical disabilities and complex needs, this simple act can be a significant challenge that not everyone can accomplish independently…yet.

This week, we delve into the crucial role of functional movement in the lives of children with physical disabilities and complex needs. Our guest, Chloe Plummer from MOVE Europe, discusses ‘Why movement matters- the importance of providing functional Movement Opportunities Via Education’. She tells us how their innovative programme empowers children by developing essential skills such as sitting, standing, and walking. Chloe shares her personal experiences and insights on how tailored movement education can ensure individuals with physical disabilities are able to live fulfilling and independent lives.

“With those motivations and the right attitude and approach, they can achieve some amazing things”.

Chloe Plummer

During our discussion Chloe covers:

• The significance of setting meaningful goals that resonate with each child's interests.
• Real-life success stories that illustrate the impact of functional movement.
• Insights into overcoming barriers and misconceptions about what children can achieve.
• The importance of integrating movement opportunities throughout the educational day.

Listen to gain valuable perspectives on promoting independence through movement.

MOVE Europe are a small charity working with over 160 special schools in the UK, enabling children with physical disabilities and complex needs to gain independent movement skills through the MOVE Programme. Our vision is for every disabled young person to have choice and opportunities by learning independent movement. We work towards this by training education and therapy professionals in the MOVE Programme and providing ongoing support so that they can achieve the best outcomes possible for the disabled young people they support. Chloe Plummer is the Events and Programme Coordinator (South) at MOVE Europe and is responsible for supporting both new and existing schools in the South of the country on their MOVE journey. Chloe has a background working with various disability organisations both locally and nationally over the last 8 years. As a result of her own lived experience of physical disability

Chloe has a real passion for improving outcomes for all disabled people and also has first hand experience of the importance of providing movement opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities ensuring they are able to live fulfilled and independent lives. Chloe combines her experience and passion in her role at MOVE and is excited to be speaking on the SEND Cast!

https://x.com/MOVEprogramme

moveeurope.org.uk

[email protected]

MOVE Conference 2024

Vote for B Squared at the Education Today Awards:

https://educationtodayawards.co.uk/vote/

• 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

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.

All students benefit from personalised learning. By empowering them in a person-centred manner, they can engage openly with educators, making essential connections between subject content and their own experiences. This approach enhances their ability to remember and recall key information for future examinations.

We're thrilled to welcome back Dr. Susie Nyman in this week’s episode for another engaging discussion on personalisation and the person-centred approach for SEND students. Her insights are rooted in her work at The Sixth Form College, Farnborough, including her involvement with the Thursday Dyslexia Club.

In her conversation with Dale (and Percy Pig), Susie covers the following key topics:

1. Empowerment and power
2. Empathy and compassion
3. Respect and dignity
4. Providing choice and autonomy
5. Respecting the individual’s values and preferences
6. Participation
7. Independence
8. Control

Additionally, Susie shares strategies and solutions tailored to various students and subjects, drawn from her classroom experiences. The discussion focuses on aligning personal needs, goals, and aspirations with real-world contexts, ensuring that learning is both meaningful and accessible.

Dr Susie Nyman is passionate about discovering how children learn and supporting them in ways which enable them to succeed. She was appointed as a Biology teacher at The Sixth Form College Farnborough in 1995, and subsequently as Curriculum Manager for Health and Social Care where she has worked ever since. 

Susie strives to raise students’ achievements and support them in ways which enables them to succeed.  She works with her students deploying a range of innovative and Multi-sensory teaching techniques to assist their learning including her ‘Equality and Diversity Tree’ and famous puppets! 

Additionally, she has provided training to PGCE students at Kingston University, and in a number of local schools and colleges on teaching strategies. Since February 2017, Susie has presented seminars on ‘Multi-sensory Techniques’ at The Learning Differences Conventions in Australia, Richmond College, The Helen Arkell Centre, Bell House, The Oratory School, The National Education Show and The Tes SEN Shows in London and Manchester.   

Recently, she was filmed ‘in action’ for The British Dyslexia Association as well as Oaka Books, and the footage is available on YouTube. Subsequently, she has written a chapter about ‘Multi-sensory Teaching’ in the BDA Dyslexia Friendly Schools Good Practice Guide and ‘The Multi-sensory Teaching Toolkit’ by Oaka Books. 

In recognition of over 21 years continued service at The Sixth Form College Farnborough, Susie has been nominated three times by the College for the ‘Tes FE Teacher of the Year Award’. This is an honour of which she is immensely proud. 

https://x.com/DrSusieNyman

drnymanconsultancy.co.uk

[email protected]

Slide handout

Teaching students from the inside out - podcast 

Inclusive Learner Cocktails - podcast  

Student Icebergs - podcast 

Vote for B Squared at the Education Today Awards:

https://educationtodayawards.co.uk/vote/

• 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

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.

How often do you ask children what they think about something instead of simply telling them your opinion based on your own experiences? Often adults give answers based on their model of the world and views which aren’t necessarily right.

In today’s podcast, Alison Knowles, Emotional Therapist, joins Dale to discuss ‘Ask don’t tell’. Alison tells us that by asking WHAT? and HOW?, you can transform your conversations with children. These simple questions not only build their confidence but also show them that you genuinely care about their thoughts. Encouraging them to problem-solve fosters independence and resilience.

Alison emphasises that children often hold the keys to understanding life’s complexities. Sometimes, it’s far more impactful to invite their opinions rather than overwhelm them with adult explanations.

Join us as we explore real-life examples of how empowering children to voice their thoughts can lead to positive outcomes.

“Just by asking rather than telling, you're actually encouraging that conversation so that you can move through situations in a more positive, empowering way.”

Alison Knowles

Listen now to discover how to enhance your communication with the children in your life.

Ali is a practising emotional therapist, author of the Ollie and his Super Powers series of books, public speaker and creator of the Ollie Model.  Ali’s strength is the unique way she views the world and her instinctive ability to empower you or your child to find the solutions from within.   

We recognise the uniqueness and individuality of every client we see.  We know they don’t fit in boxes and that labels can be very generic.   

We don’t take months and months to help you move on, Ollie Coaches encourage you to take charge by empowering you with our skill sets so that you can make the changes that will make all the difference to make the difference at a pace that is right for you.   

We believe you have everything you need inside you.  We show you how to access your immense knowledge and skills so that you can be in control of your emotions rather than being controlled by them.   

You can contact me if: 

• you, a member of your family, a staff member or a child in your school needs 1-2-1 emotional resilience support to overcome a limiting belief, fear or phobia, a habit you would rather not have or an emotion that is making decisions for you.   

• you are interested in having us run an introductory Ollie workshop for your group, team or staff.   

• you need help with conflict resolution, change management, communication breakdowns.   

• if you would like more information about having an Ollie Coach in your school or having staff trained in the Ollie Model 

• you would like to find out more about becoming an Ollie Coach and joining Ollie’s Army.   

Ollie is currently active in the corporate world, schools, universities alternative provision, foster and adoption. 

https://twitter.com/bemoreollie

www.ollieandhisuperpowers.com

[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/ollie_and_his_super_powers

https://www.facebook.com/OllieandhisSuperPowers

YouTube Channel

Vote for B Squared at the Education Today Awards:

https://educationtodayawards.co.uk/vote/

• 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

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.

Ahead of Jane’s FREE SEND Briefing on 24 September, she joins Dale for this special episode to give an insight into what she will be presenting in her session ‘What will the new Government mean for SEND?’. 

“I think what we’re going to see from this government is a real push down that early intervention route.”

Jane Friswell

Listen to hear Jane’s thoughts on the government changes, focus on inclusion, early intervention, resource allocation and more…… 

Vote for B Squared at the Education Today Awards:

https://educationtodayawards.co.uk/vote/

• 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

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.

Often, when children are labelled with a 'problem,' they are perceived as different or failing, which can create a cycle of negativity. This can lead to challenges such as anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression, as the brain tends to hold onto these negative perceptions.

In the last 10-15 years, the field of positive psychology has emerged as a valuable counterpoint to the traditional focus on fixing mental health issues. Dr Rob Long, a Chartered Psychologist, joins us to discuss how positive psychology can offer a transformative approach to supporting children and young adults, particularly those facing social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) difficulties.

During our discussion we cover:

• The history of Positive Psychology.
• Maslow’s influence.
• Seligman's contribution: by actively promoting well-being and resilience, which he termed the "PERMA" model (Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment).
• The importance of context and individual differences.
• The bidirectional relationship between well-being and mental health.

Listen to hear how positive psychology provides a valuable framework for supporting children and young adults, especially those facing SEMH challenges. By focusing on enhancing well-being, resilience, and fulfilment, rather than solely addressing problems, positive psychology can empower young people to reach their full potential.

DR Rob Long is a Chartered Psychologist who provides independent training to teachers and other professionals concerned with children and young adults. Rob's main area of interest is supporting children who face social, emotional and mental health difficulties. He is committed to developing, through training, project work and publications an understanding of these children and providing solutions and practical help to school staff and families. 

 He is a tutor on a distance learning course in Social, Emotional and Mental Health issues run by Oxford/ Brookes University and SEBDA.  He is also an active member of SEBDA. 

https://x.com/@SebdaOrg

www.sebda.org

[email protected]

Supporting Parental Well-Being

Building Wellbeing and Resilience

Vote for B Squared at the Education Today Awards:

https://educationtodayawards.co.uk/vote/

• 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

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.

Schools invest in tools to identify and support students with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). But are these investments paying off? Many schools struggle with poor implementation, wasting valuable time and resources.

We're excited to welcome back Angharad Welch, Speech and Language Therapist, to the SENDcast! Four years after her debut, Angharad returns to discuss ‘Identifying language needs in Primary through Screening’.

In this episode, Angharad emphasises the importance of effective screening practices and the challenges schools face in implementing them. Here are some of the takeaways:

• Screening is crucial
• Implementation is key
• Invest time in understanding
• Don't be afraid to adapt
• Invest in expertise
• Focus on effectiveness

“Your tool is only as good as your implementation and follow through.”

Angharad Welch

Listen to hear Angharad’s expertise on how to ensure an effective screening process and her view on the top screening tools available.

Angharad is an experienced Speech and Language Therapist working with children from birth to adulthood, and their adults.  She runs her own business, Find the Key Speech and Language Therapy, which offers direct therapy services to families and settings in Herefordshire, as well as products and trainings to support SENCOs and other Educators.

Angharad believes that Therapists and settings need to work together to ensure effective identification and support for young people that reflects the complex realities of the current education system, not just generic advice and strategies. 

[email protected]

facebook.com/findthekeyslt

https://twitter.com/FindthekeySLT

findthekeyslt.co.uk

WellComm toolkit

Speech and Language Link

Language Screen

• 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

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.

Having had several chance encounters at the Autism Shows, we're delighted to finally have Tigger Pritchard as a guest on the podcast! ‘Awesomely Autistic’ is a profound and insightful exploration of Tigger's personal journey as a neuroaffirming advocate, consultant, and trainer.

Tigger shares a heartfelt and deeply honest insight into his experiences growing up as an autistic individual. He describes the challenges he faced, particularly during his school years, when he felt alienated and misunderstood in a world that didn't seem to embrace his unique way of thinking and engaging with the world. Tigger recounts his attempts to fit in, the social isolation, and the trauma he experienced.

Tigger shares how he eventually found his footing by discovering his passions and interests, which provided a sense of safety and belonging. He highlights what helped him along the way on his journey and how sensory experiences shaped his memories.

“To anybody that discovers they’re neurodivergent. I say find your well informed neurokin as soon as you can”.

Tigger Pritchard

Listen to Tigger's inspiring journey of self-discovery, reinvention, and ultimately, finding success and fulfilment in his chosen path as an autistic individual.

My name is Tigger Pritchard, awesomely Neurodivergent and passionate about reducing anxiety for all. To help all Neurotypes understand each other, to bridge the Neurodivide.

Self-Identifying Neurospicy, working with individuals, families, education, cooperate organisations across the UK! Face to face and by Zoom.

[email protected]

www.tiggerpritchard.com

facebook.com/Neuroaffirming

• 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

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.

Schools often invest in professional development to make classrooms dyslexia, autism or speech language and communication ‘friendly’. However, this can overwhelm teachers with too much information, making them feel they can no longer effectively support all of their students’ different needs.

Angela Scott joins Dale for this week’s podcast to discuss ‘The magic of ‘high value’ strategies for pupils with SEND in the classroom’. Angela highlights that you can make the lives of teachers manageable by introducing them to relevant ‘high value’ teaching strategies, which if implemented will make a positive difference to children and young people with a mix of SEND profiles. Angela reflects on the high incidence of co-occurring SEND profiles experienced by many children and young people. An alternative approach is to stop thinking in silos and to embrace a small but powerful range of strategies, which can make learning possible for pupils with SEND across all four broad areas of need.

Listen to find out what strategies work for children with a range of SEND profiles, identify similarities and give SENCOs the tools to unleash these strategies in a way that has meaningful impact.

“What are the high value strategies? Not imposing some of those more abstract things that work for us, presuming that the way we see a learning plan or a way to organise ourselves, is the way that every child in our class sees it.”

Angela Scott

Angela Scott is the Regional Lead for SEND for the Eastern Partnership UK (SEND) and is programme lead for the National Award for SEN Coordination, Advanced SENCO and SENCOs as Leaders Awards.

She is steering the development of the SLCN and SEMH level 4 qualifications and is author of the transformative audit and planning tool known as aptGO; designed to help schools work within Ofsted judgements Good and Outstanding.

She is a member of a number of national working groups for SEND and has created and delivered the professional development programme for the introduction of SENCOs into Hong Kong primary and secondary schools.

[email protected]

www.easternpartnership.co.uk & www.regionalsendforum.co.uk 

• 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

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 today’s podcast we delve into the profound mental health effects of dyslexia and the crucial need to address them. Dyslexia not only presents self-esteem challenges but also carries significant implications for individuals' overall well-being. However, there are numerous ways to mitigate the detrimental effects of dyslexia, especially when it is openly discussed and destigmatised.

Once again, we are joined by Dr. Helen Ross, who shares her insights on 'Identifying Dyslexia and Why it Matters'. In our conversation, Helen emphasises the importance of screening to identify dyslexia, enabling individuals to better understand themselves and fostering a supportive environment where teachers can comprehend their needs. By making necessary adjustments in the classroom and adopting a holistic approach, we can empower individuals with dyslexia to thrive.

“If kids don't understand why they do things in a certain way, or don't do things in a certain way, that's when that ‘I'm stupid’ thought process happens with them.”

Dr Helen Ross

By helping children understand why they may approach certain tasks differently or struggle with specific areas, we can prevent the detrimental thought process that often leads to feelings of inadequacy and self-judgement.

Dr Helen Ross is a fully qualified special needs teacher and former SENCO, working as an independent educational research consultant, specialist assessor and SEND expert. Helen is a Trustee of the British Dyslexia Association, Chair of the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association and is on the board of the US, not-for profit National Coalition of Independent Scholars. She has consulted for the British Dyslexia Association, The Committee for Science and Technology (part of the UK Government), and Wiltshire Local Authority. She also works internationally with various third sector and commercial organisations with evaluation, consultancy and resource development. Helen’s research explores stakeholder experiences of SEND provision within the mainstream education sector, focussing on the empowerment of those supporting young people, to help them to take ownership of their own learning. She uses her findings from research to inform her own practice and to support other practitioner in their own work, through CPD webinars and live sessions.

[email protected]

https://x.com/drhelenross

helensplace.co.uk/

British Dyslexia Association website

Succeed With Dyslexia

• 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

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 SENCO role is unique and crucial, as SENCOs champion the needs of students who require additional support. However, other priorities in schools often mean that SENCOs themselves don't receive the support they need to be effective. To better champion these students, the SENCO's voice needs to be heard. But how do you, as a SENCO, ensure your voice is heard?

In this week's podcast, Dale is joined by Ginny Bootman, a SENCO working across 4 schools. Ginny brings a wealth of experience and insight to discuss ‘Getting your voice heard as a SENCO’.

Ginny points out that it could be as simple as getting a ‘yum yum’! Ginny explains that the key is to invest time in building relationships and having meaningful conversations. By breaking down barriers and ensuring everyone understands each other's perspectives, SENCOs can position themselves as valuable partners in supporting diverse learners.

“I think when we're talking about getting our voice heard, actually it's about getting our voice heard with the most important people - the children”.

Ginny Bootman

By being heard and having their expertise recognised, SENCOs can drive better outcomes for students, reduce disruption, and foster stronger relationships with parents. Listen to the podcast to discover Ginny's strategies for getting your voice heard.

I have been a teacher longer than I haven't, as a Headteacher, Senior Manager and Class Teacher and now as a SENCO of 4 Primary schools in Northamptonshire. My passion lies within all things concerned with empathy and the role which empathy plays in ensuring that all of those in school settings feel valued and listened to. I am an Associate of Undiscovered Country a team who help individuals manage change.

http://www.ginnybootman.com

[email protected]

https://x.com/sencogirl

A few months ago, Ginny released a new book 'Being a SENDCO: 113 tips for building relationships, saving time and changing lives'. It is an informative guide that identifies simple, tried and tested ways to build and cement strong relationships between all those who work with children with additional needs, whether they are teachers, parents, carers or outside agencies.

https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/independent-thinking-on-being-a-sendco

Exclusive discount for SENDcast listeners!

Use code GINNY20 to save 20%

• 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

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.