Our recent INSET day provided staff with a valuable opportunity to reflect on and develop our approach to SEND (special educational needs and disabilities), with educational psychologist, Zoe Owen from edPsychology Solutions, who joined us to explore the Universal Offer and current developments in SEND practice.
The session gave staff the chance to consider the things we already do well at The Acorns School, while also exploring how small changes to our everyday practice can make a big difference to our pupils. Staff looked at ways we can make our classrooms even more accessible, identify needs at an earlier stage and use simple, consistent strategies to help pupils feel safe, included and ready to learn.
A key message throughout the session was that our Universal Offer is for everyone. Earlier this year, the Department for Education (DfE) set out the Universal Offer as the foundational layer of high-quality, inclusive teaching and support designed for all children and young people young people aged 0 to 25 in all education settings, including pupil referral units (PRUs) and specialist provisions. This means getting the everyday things right for all pupils, including:
- Building positive relationships
- Establishing clear routines and expectations
- Using adaptive teaching
- Taking the time to understand the individual needs that may sit behind a pupil’s behaviour
Staff came away from the session with a range of practical ideas that can be used straight away in the classroom, alongside a shared understanding of the important role we all play in supporting our pupils.
The session was a great opportunity for staff to reflect, share ideas and learn from one another, while continuing to build on the strong SEND practice already taking place across The Acorns School. It also reinforced our commitment to ensuring that every pupil feels understood, supported and able to access their learning.
We would like to thank Zoe Owen for sharing her expertise and for helping us to continue developing our practice across the school.
