The Tes SEN Show: An exhibitor workshop not to miss

Special educational needs are the centre of attention at the Tes SEN Show and as Tradewind Recruitment will be in attendance, we’ve taken a closer look at some of the subjects being discussed.

With numerous industry experts and other professionals in attendance, the event will be a chance for people to learn about the latest developments in SEN education via various workshops and keynote speeches.

One of those that caught our eye is a workshop on Saturday 6 October at 11.45, run by Siobhan Mellor, the director of Real Group, an educational psychologist and MEd SEND programme leader.

We believe the session, titled Plan, Do, Review: Applying the principles of practice-led learning to your own professional development in SEN will be particularly relevant for teaching professionals.

Background information

The talk will predominantly focus on the impact of the new practice-led learning model when it comes to gaining Masters level professional development.

Siobhan is expected to detail how the revised SEND programme from Real Training has evolved, with a focus on how new modules and qualifications provide a practice-led, up-to-date and academically rigorous approach to training.

The talk will highlight the flexible nature of the programme, and how it can be shaped to benefit teaching staff and students.

Plan, do, review

The Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle is promoted in the SEND Code of Practice 0-25 and aims to ensure that the requirements of pupils with SEN are met.

By ensuring that their needs are catered for, those pupils should then have a greater chance of being able to achieve positive outcomes in education.

Under the Code of Practice, all teachers have a responsibility and can be held accountable for the progress of all learners in a class, including those that may receive additional assistance from support staff.

What is involved?

In simple terms, the assessment involves a developed clear analysis of a person’s needs based on information available from the individual and their parents or carers, as well as the views and observations of the teaching staff.

A child’s attainment levels and progress will also be taken into account before a plan is developed involving all of the necessary parties – including SENCOs, teaching staff, parents, carers and the individual.

Once a plan is finalised, it will then be shared with staff so that everyone is aware of the interventions, adjustments and support that are required.

Finally, the process will be reviewed over time to ensure its quality, effectiveness and impact, with all parties included in the consultation and feedback process.

By law, every school has to publish a SEN Information Report which details what they offer to young people with SEND and it must be updated annually.

The early part of a new school year is, therefore, an apt time to assess if any changes are required and to consider how best to implement them.

Support documents from the Department for Education that detail great SEN practices from good and outstanding schools can be found here. 

Practice-led approaches

Siobhan is expected to approach how these methods can be utilised alongside practice-led learning in order to provide the best possible outcomes for youngsters with SEN.

The impact on professional development will also be considered, as teachers should aid their own development while meeting the various requirements of the Code of Practice.

How exactly this occurs will be dependent on the processes used by any individual school and its staff to assess and meet the needs of pupils and young people with SEN.

This particular talk is therefore expected to provide plenty of guidance relating to new developments and teacher training.

If you’re visiting the Tes SEN Show this year, you’ll find us at Stall 119.