The SENDcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

 

About Chloe Plummer

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!

 

Contact Chloe

https://x.com/MOVEprogramme

moveeurope.org.uk

contact@moveeurope.org.uk

 

Useful Links

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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk 
• 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.

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.

 

About Dr Susie Nyman

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. 

 

Contact Susie

https://x.com/DrSusieNyman

drnymanconsultancy.co.uk

drsusienyman@drnymanconsultancy.co.uk

 

Useful Links

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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk 
• 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.

At present, challenging behaviour in school is off the scale and largely this is due to unmet needs. You can’t ‘punish or reward the neurodivergent’ out of children, so the traditional methods of classroom management and behaviour control won’t work.

Joining Dale today is Catrina Lowri, who shares her personal journey with behaviour management spanning over 25 years. Catrina provides a glimpse into her early experiences in the classroom, reflecting on the techniques she initially believed to be the "best" and how her perspective evolved throughout her career. From facing challenging situations like being mooned at to earning the nickname "Tough McGuff," Catrina has encountered a wide range of behavioural challenges.

One of the eye-opening insights shared by Catrina is that the majority of challenging behaviour is triggered by the adults in the room. Through her experiences and ideas, she emphasises the transformative impact of unconditional positive regard and the profound difference that arises from making time for curiosity and reflection. By listening to her stories and perspectives, we gain valuable insights into the power of empathy, understanding, and self-reflection when addressing challenging behaviour.

 

About Catrina Lowri

Catrina is a neurodivergent former SENCO and Advisory Teacher with a dual diagnosis of bipolar and dyslexia. She created her company; Neuroteachers to support schools and businesses with simple solutions to improve Neuro-inclusion.

 

Contact Catrina

www.neuroteachers.com

catrina@neuroteachers.com

https://x.com/neuroteachers

 

Useful Links

A controversial blog about behaviour

 

• 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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk 
• 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 people are ‘triggered’ they often enter what’s known as fight or flight, their ability to reason and respond pragmatically to situations evaporates and it can feel as if you’re left with no way to communicate with them. What they still have is their senses. Knowing about sensory communication can offer you ways of reaching across that seemingly insurmountable divide. 

But do you know what sensory communication is? Joanna Grace joins Dale in this episode ‘Sensory Communication’ to explain everything you need to know about what it is, how it’s relevant across the board and how we can use it.

All of us will have unknowingly been implementing sensory communication in stressful situations by offering a cup of tea (taste) or putting a hand on another’s (touch). Communication is so much more than words and gestures, having sensory strategies up your sleeve to support communication, particularly in a crisis situation can be a game changer.  

About Joanna Grace

Joanna Grace is a sensory engagement and inclusion specialist, doctoral researcher, author, trainer, TEDx speaker and Founder of The Sensory Projects.  

Joanna has worked with people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent conditions aged from 0-100 (well 1 day old – 87 years old to be precise) in a range of settings and context. 

Through all she does Joanna is seeking to contribute to a future where people are understood in spite of their differences. 

Contact Joanna Grace

Website - www.TheSensoryProjects.co.uk

Email - sensorystory@gmail.com

Twitter - @Jo3Grace

Facebook - www.Facebook.com/JoannaGraceTSP 

Useful Links

I run a course called Exploring the Impact of the Senses on Behaviour both online and as an in person event. www.thesensoryprojects.co.uk has more details.

Reading and writing are areas that many teachers and parents are concerned that children need to ‘catch up’ on due to the pandemic. But what about play?

In this week’s podcast, Georgina Durrant joins Dale to discuss ‘Boosting Reading and Writing Through Play’. Georgina is acutely aware of the impact the pandemic has had on children’s emotional wellbeing and time to play with others, so we need to find a way to boost children’s literacy skills whilst focusing on nurturing play skills and emotional wellbeing.

“Just stepping away from your traditional views of how you think, reading and writing should be done and making it more accessible for the kids.”

Georgina Durrant

Play makes learning fun, memorable, motivating and builds confidence. Listen to this episode to understand:

• Common barriers to reading and writing and how we can help children with these
• Why play is important for literacy
• Simple hacks to weave reading and writing into every day at home and at school

About Georgina Durrant

Georgina Durrant is a former teacher/Special Educational Needs Coordinator and is now Director of Cheshire SEN Tutor LTD. She is also a mum of 2. Georgina runs the award-winning site The SEN Resources Blog - www.senresourcesblog.com, which provides learning activities, recommendations, resources and advice for parents and teachers of children with Special Educational Needs. Twinkl Resouces awarded the site as one of their Top Ten SEN Blogs in 2019. Georgina is author of '100 Ways your Child Can Learn Through Play (Fun Activities for Young Children with SEN)'.

Contact Georgina

Website - www.senresourcesblog.com and www.cheshiresentutor.com

Twitter - @senresourceblog

Facebook - www.facebook.com/senresourcesblog and www.facebook.com/groups/3463317840363473

Email - cheshiresentutor@gmail.com

Useful Links

How to Boost Reading and Writing Through Play https://amzn.to/38ZKbH0

100 Ways Your Child Can Learn Through Play (my first book) https://amzn.to/302NJAx

Georgina's podcast ‘SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant’ https://redcircle.com/shows/send-in-theexperts-with-georgina-durrant

Reading is high on the educational agenda due to the impact that it can have upon the mental well-being and academic success of children and young people. Recent documents have placed a renewed focus on the teaching of reading for all learners, this includes those with the most complex needs. The issue for professionals is that there is a lack of clarity about what this means for these learners, in particular those learners attending special schools and specialist facilities. This has led to confusion for all involved.

Dr Sarah Moseley, Educational Consultant, joins Dale for this week’s podcast ‘Creating an inclusive reading curriculum for all learners'. Sarah discusses the why, what and how of teaching reading to all learners and provides ideas and strategies to create an inclusive reading curriculum framework.

Listen to find out how we learn to read and the foundation skills involved that support learners to develop an understanding of the world around us. Understanding the importance of literacy rich environments and experiences will enhance the learning opportunities for everyone.

About Dr Sarah Moseley

Dr. Moseley has over 30 years’ knowledge and experience within special and mainstream education from teaching assistant to Headteacher, as well as a solid research background rooted within the psychology of learning. Her Masters and PhD were in Special Education and focused specifically on the teaching of reading and self-esteem and she has presented nationally and internationally on raising outcomes for learners with SEND and am a published author of my research. Sarah has just finished writing a book on the teaching of reading to all learners for Routledge Publishers.  

Now an independent Educational Consultant at www.drsarahmoseley.com, Sarah provides face to face and online training, coaching, keynote presentations, information and support for professionals and families from all sectors, specialising in SEND focused school improvement and raising outcomes for all learners. She is passionate about making a positive difference to the lives, attitudes, and outcomes of those who may struggle to learn, based on a belief that every action can make a difference and aims to bridge the gap between theory and learning, to create a culture where high expectations thrive, improving outcomes for all pupils. 

Contact Dr Sarah Moseley

Website - www.drsarahmoseley.com 

Email - send@drasarhmoseley.com 

Twitter - @drsarahmoseley

Facebook - Facebook.com/Drsarahmoseley 

Dyspraxia or Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD) is often thought of as clumsiness, but it is quite misunderstood and incorrectly used. Dyspraxia is far more than just the way you’re moving, it’s your ability to plan what you’re doing and being able to come up with ideas. These executive function difficulties can have a huge impact on children, especially in secondary school. If you don’t have the capacity to plan, or have imagination of what that looks like, that can lead to anxiety and fatigue as an outcome.

Kim Griffin is an Occupational Therapist and joins Dale for this week’s episode to discuss ‘Dyspraxia – more than just clumsiness’. Kim gives great insight into the impact of dyspraxia and breaks it into a ‘triple cause’ where you can have difficulties in one or all three areas – ideation, planning and doing.

“One of the most helpful things I think I can teach a child with dyspraxia is to ask for help and also to say I don't understand.”

Kim Griffin

Listen to hear real-life, first-hand examples and top tips on how you can support pupils in your setting.

About Kim Griffin

Kim is an occupational therapist with 20 years’ experience supporting children, young people, their families and teachers to participate successfully in their daily lives.  Her interest areas are sensory processing and autism.  Kim provides online training for those who want to learn more about sensory processing, motor skills and handwriting along with programmes that show you have to help children improve their skills.  

Contact Kim Griffin

Website - www.GriffinOT.com 

Email - Training@GriffinOT.com 

Twitter - @Griffin_OT

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GriffinSensoryOT/ 

 

Whenever there’s a big change on the horizon, whether it’s moving from nursery to primary school, primary to secondary school or even new clubs, it can cause anxiety. Children with SEND, particularly those with communication needs, can find transition very difficult.

Children benefit hugely from predictability. Preparing children for transition helps them to understand what is happening next for them, what to expect and who will be there to help them. Visual resources are a practical and powerful way to support transition. In this week’s episode, Sarah Billingham joins Dale to discuss ‘Using Visuals to Support Transition’.

“What's important is that we are essentially representing something visual, rather than just relying on our spoken language to tell children about things that are coming up.”
Sarah Billingham

Visual resources reduce the language and memory demand placed on children and when they are well prepared, they are calmer and better able to succeed. Listen to find out how you can use visual resources to support children during transition. About Sarah Billingham

Sarah Billingham is a specialist teacher, she runs Confident Kids, a unique Early Years service. She equips parents, carers and practitioners with expert knowledge and the practical tools they need to offer their little people the very best communication support they can.  

Sarah has been working with children with speech and language needs for over 16 years in mainstream and specialist settings.

Sarah has recently decided to focus on Confident Kids full time. She most recently ran a multi-disciplinary assessment centre for children with SLCN in the charity sector. In 2020 & 2021 she ran an online focus week for parents and practitioners sharing videos on supporting young children transitioning into school (or back into school following lockdown). 

Contact Sarah Billingham

Website - www.TheSensoryProjects.co.uk

Email - www.confidentkids.co

Facebook - www.facebook.com/confidentkids.co

Useful Links

https://widgitonline.com

http://www.inclusive.co.uk/product-reviews/boardmaker-7-standard#

www.facebook.com/groups/ConfidentTransitions

Yoga has many connotations, but is actually a philosophy, a way of living. Yoga is a therapeutic intervention that works for everyone, you don’t have to be able to touch your toes - if you can breathe you can do yoga!

Jyoti Jo Manuel joins Dale for today’s episode ‘What Yoga, Why Yoga?’. Jyoti discusses how yoga can benefit everyone, both teachers and pupils. Its focus is to bring balance and regulation to the nervous system so that everyone practising is in the optimal state to thrive.

“Your biggest tool for emotional regulation is when we regulate our breathing. Once you build that relationship with your breath and you understand how to use it, you can use it anywhere at any given moment in time.”

Jyoti Jo Manuel

Did you know that the benefits of yoga include:

• self-regulation
• self-awareness
• improved quality and quantity of sleep
• improved motor planning and coordination
• strength and balance

Listen to this podcast to find out how yoga is helping children meet their targets at school and teachers feeling less stressed. Jyoti shares her first-hand experience of how yoga has helped children with SEND and how it has enhanced the quality of life for everyone who practises.

About Jyoti

Jyoti has been practising yoga since 1974 and teaching since 1989. She is one of the leaders in the training and application of yoga as a therapeutic intervention for children with special and additional needs. She pioneered children’s yoga in the UK. She set up the global training school Special Yoga in 2002, to provide sustainable and accessible training programmes, and to support practitioners delivering the work. She works with local education authorities, the NHS, academies and individual schools, parents/carers and paediatric professionals. She has travelled globally to extend Special Yoga in Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Australia, Mexico, Peru, Russia, and many countries in Europe. She is currently training 45 psychologists in Ukraine to support their traumatised children.  

Contact Jyoti:

Email: info@specialyoga.co.uk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sarahjanecritchley/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/differentjoy/

Useful Links

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/yoga-schools

https://www.peacefulpathwaysyoga.com/articles-and-research.html

Special Yoga's Website

With 8 weeks to go and preparations underway for Christmas, now’s the time to highlight the challenges Christmas can bring for families, especially for children with SEND.

Children return to school in September to a new term, new environment, new subjects, new friends and coping with everything causes their energy levels to decrease. After half term it’s Halloween, Bonfire Night and then before we know it we’re in the Christmas period. By then children have the least possible capacity to deal with it. Everything changes at Christmas, and that can send some of our young people into a complete tailspin!

Sarah-Jane Critchley joins Dale in this week’s episode ‘Surviving Christmas’ to discuss why Christmas isn’t always fun for everyone and how to support children with SEND through Christmas.

Listen to find out what we can all do at school and at home to make it more fun and less stressful for everyone! Sarah-Jane gives us some tangible ideas and some useful tools that you can use to make the season as joyful as we can for everyone.

 

About Sarah-Jane Critchley

Sarah-Jane is an Author, Speaker, Consultant and Coach from Different Joy Partnership. She was previously the Programme Manager for over 10 years at the Autism Education Trust. Pupils with autism often struggle with attending school for a number of reasons. Her daughter Beth is autistic and also suffers from migraines which meant from Year 3 onwards she missed a lot of school and missed over 50% of her GCSE classes, eventually dropping out of school in year 12.

Contact Sarah-Jane:

Twitter: @SarahJaneCritch

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sarahjanecritchley/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/differentjoy/

Useful Links

Learn from many autistic people at the NAS Christmas Grotto Christmas Grotto (autism.org.uk)

Relaxed performances of pantos in many places this year e.g. 

• Tunbridge Wells – Aladin   Assembly Hall Theatre — Relaxed performances this Christmas 
• English National Opera! Yeoman of the guard 
• The Old Vic – London A Christmas Carol Relaxed Performances | Old Vic Theatre 
• Official London Theatre  - LOADS Of options here: Relaxed Performances (officiallondontheatre.com)
• My personal favourite: Zoo Co Theatre: Perfect Show for Rachel - Step into Rachel's world in this experimental show as a learning disabled artist has the power to lead the creation of her ‘Perfect Show’. –  

For more podcast episodes from the SENDcast click below… https://sendcast.wpengine.com/sendcast-episodes/