Thursday
Scottish government backs call for review of mainstreaming policy
Opposition MSPs welcome the move but emphasise that any review must focus on ‘actions and solutions’
DfE considering if EHCPs are ‘right vehicle’
SEND adviser Dame Christine Lenehan says new reforms will change the ‘bureaucratic nightmare’ that the system has become
10,000 teachers to be trained in PE for pupils with SEND
DfE scheme to make PE lessons more inclusive aims to reach more than 240,000 pupils over three years
Friday
How to help TAs foster independent learning
Teaching assistants need to promote independence, not dependence, writes Alex Quigley – and consistent use of scaffolding strategies is the key
What GCSE uptake in special schools could tell us about inclusion
GCSE performance is increasing among special school students. Does this suggest more should be taught in mainstream?
Thursday
Why early intervention is crucial for children with a visual impairment
Supporting children with a visual impairment in the early years helps with their transition to school, explains Lucy Chetty
What schools are doing to tackle the speech and language ‘crisis’
The number of children with speech and language challenges is soaring. And not all of these pupils have SEND. Experts tell Ellen Peirson-Hagger how in-school intervention is possible – and highly effective
Wednesday
DfE to set out costed SEND plan ‘within a year’
Government accepts recommendations for action on SEND from public spending watchdog but says it cannot commit to meeting deadlines
Using special-school staff to boost SEND skills across a trust
The SEND lead at Maritime Academy Trust explains how the group turned to its specialist provision to provide CPD and build confidence across all its schools
