The Optimus blog

The blog that inspires leaders in the UK education sector

The Optimus blog

The blog that inspires leaders in the UK education sector

SENCology

Amanda Hipkiss

Access arrangements: changing rules and criteria

Schools face a significant challenge regarding equality and access with regard to different exams and the support that is allowed to ensure fair access. Amanda Hipkiss, PhD researcher and former SENCo summarises, the key messages as they now stand. What are access arrangements? Access arrangements...
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Evie Prysor-Jones

How to get an education, health and care plan

The complicated process of getting an EHC plan may be different for every local authority, but the legal essentials should be the same. Evie Prysor-Jones presents a best practice example. It has been over a year since the SEN reforms came into play, yet almost daily I talk to SENCOs or parents who...
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Gareth D Morewood

Personal budgets are like hen's teeth

Understanding the legislation around personal budgets can be the first step to making them more common place. Gareth D Morewood examines what the law says and answers some of the most common questions. Earlier this year in SENCology I wrote a blog post about the personal budgets project I am...
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Evie Prysor-Jones

Tools for keeping pupils and parents involved in progress

The ethos surrounding SEN in schools is obviously important, but to keep provision child-centred, a well-structured document can be invaluable. When target setting with pupils nothing could be more important than asking the pupil what they think. This sounds easy, but thinking about appropriate and...
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Gareth D Morewood

Keeping parent and carer confidence high on our agendas

Engaging with parents and carers is a vital component of the SEND Code of Practice 2015. Gareth D Morewood examines what strategies work well to ensure that it is still a key priority. The Lamb Inquiry Ever since the Lamb Inquiry into special educational needs and parental confidence there has been...
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Gareth D Morewood

Using research to support transitions

Gareth Morewood draws on his experience to identify 2 research studies that have helped him develop how transitions are managed in his school. I have always thought that supporting transitions is vital. Having the opportunity to recently work with almost 200 SENCos in Somerset on this topic enabled...
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Gareth D Morewood

SEN and EHCPs: the law STILL trumps all

Understanding the legalities involved can make the transition to education, health and care plans much easier for schools, parents/carers and the young person. Gareth Morewood explains why. Just under a year ago I wrote ‘ The Law Trumps All’ in SENCology. A year on, and the messages are still as...
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Evie Prysor-Jones

No Ofsted worries with a strong SEND strategy

With the new Ofsted Inspection Framework now in force, there are some simple steps SENCos can follow to demonstrate effective leadership, planning and processes. Evie Prysor-Jones explains. Gareth Morewood has been SENCo at Priestnall School for almost 15 years, so has seen his fair share of Ofsted...
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Gareth D Morewood

5 steps to a successful SENCo year

At this time of year there is the usual proliferation of back to school advice through blogs, articles and tweets. I thought it may be useful to consider what the SENCo year is all about and what our priorities should be in this ever changing and challenging world of education. There are some...
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Miranda Galloway

Using history to support children with SEND

Miranda Galloway, from local social enterprise Dig Discover Enjoy, explains how engaging with archaeology can encourage pupils with SEN to be creative and learn new skills. Our mission is to enable people to get involved in archaeology and heritage. Getting creative with Roman plates We realised...
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