2020: A Personal Reflection Of The Positives

The following are my personal reflections of positives; some which no doubt will resonate to fellow educators both professionally and personally. I’m very keen to see the back of this academic year (and actual year). Just like the Japanese concept of Kintsukuroi, I believe that challenging times make us grow as people – unfortunately, you need these times to create light and shade within life.

Back To School: Behaviours That Challenge Prevention Checklist (Blog and Infographic)

As we gradually move towards something that resembles ‘business as usual’ in our schools, we will be continuing to face a number of challenges with anxious and attention needing children. Some, we will expect to need extra resources and time. However, some will crop up unexpectedly. It’s better to have a plan that is not needed as opposed to no plan!

The Seeds Of Change: The perfect time for curriculum reform from an SEMH perspective

If not now when? The seeds have been sown. The time is ripe. Educators across the realm have questioned the simple fact that if we are able to teacher assess children’s learning for key year group outcomes this year, why not every year? A whopping 82% of teachers surveyed by YouGov, agree that the focus Read More

Successful Pupil Transition

What an impossible situation we find ourselves in. Last year, I was blogging about successful transitions for SEND pupils with all the best practice and resources ideas I could muster but in this crazy situation, none of those bells and whistles will be possible. How will children have successful transitions to another year group or school with so many variables and unknowns? I don’t have the answers but the following are ideas that you could try out without the need for physical visits. Once you know, with more certainty, what next year will look like, transition plans can follow. Even if you need to start them in September!

8 Ideas To Coax Back School Avoiders

Remember last year, when you spent a significant amount of time and effort trying to coax Ryan back to school? You thought you were gradually getting somewhere when suddenly the school closed. Ryan gets exactly what he wants and you are back to square one. Similarly, you may now have children who have become a little agoraphobic over the last few year or so – they may also become reluctant returners (hopefully this group will just need a bit of gentle coaxing rather that a more structured approach). I feel your frustration. Here are eight ideas to go some way in helping Ryan and any other school avoider back to school.