Online SEND and Teacher CPD courses

“The training gave me the information and time to explore and develop my own knowledge whilst also thinking about the school I work in. It gave me time to reflect on school policy and procedures as well as my own role and development. The information was clear and user friendly. I think the target sections were very useful in making sure the knowledge I have gained will have an impact on the school and my own development. I have led some training for support staff and we have also looked at the resources we are currently in school. We have also spoken more about mental health between staff and these conversations seem to happen more freely.

“The first section of the course with information about hearing loss and levels, the different types of hearing aid equipment and ways of assessing was useful and interesting. The case studies were interesting to watch and to hear the opinions and thoughts of young deaf people, however, I found this section to be less relevant to my role. The children in the examples were all older and more capable, whereas many of the deaf children we see have more complex needs. However, I did find it particularly useful in this instance to hear the parents’ views and to be reminded of how overwhelming it can all be at this stage and the number of professionals involved within a child's life. It has made me think about the environment in home visits and currently video calls, and the importance of joint visiting with specialist teachers and working together.

“It has given me the confidence in my convictions. I had a historic knowledge, but it has confirmed and reminded me of previous knowledge and experience, I can now confidently share without any doubts.

“Why I have finished so quickly is because I really enjoyed it. Learning lots of new things. It was just so good to be given ideas on how to support the children within our setting. I can't wait to use some of the ideas and put them into practice. I have spoken to my work colleges about things that I have learnt as we have a deaf child in every room. The information has helped them understand what helps the children as well. Unfortunately, I can’t work in every room in the nursery, but I have been feeding them the information as I have been learning it.

“This training has provided me with a much greater insight into how to help children with visual impairment. I have learnt a great deal about the science behind different visual impairments and have developed a great number of strategies for helping VI children, which I will continue to implement. I found the second face-to-face (Teams) session very useful for how to set appropriate, and achievable, SMART goals.

“I feel more confident in my ability to understand the needs of the students I work with and to provide the best possible outcome for their learnin.

“The training has helped me review my current practices - to re-evaluate some of the interventions I currently deliver and add in some additional interventions. Thus, ensuring I am better able to adapt my approach and offer the best interventions to support each individual child's needs.

“Training has helped me focus on the main reasons for dyslexia and our choice and effectiveness of interventions. The use of mnemonics (for 2 Y6 pupils) in a regular 3x week intervention (1:1 ) have shown some improvements on their spelling results when recently assessed. They are not at age expected but have retained some spellings, one child is better at spotting an incorrect spelling and has learned the blends needed, but still struggles to retain the word in its entirety. Both these children have co-morbidity- ADHD diagnosed, one on medication, but without doubt their focus is frequently affected. I am constantly having to stress the frequency that the interventions need to be delivered i.e. at least 3x week in order for them to be successful; and include some independent time on the other 2 days for the children to practise e.g. over learn by playing a sound game; use Nessy or similar software, teachers like the speed of precision teaching (having assessed tricky word knowledge/first 100 HFW/statutory year group spelling lists or words commonly spelled wrong in their daily writing) and several children can be managed effectively over a week when teachers organise their adult support well. We are including this in Y1 to focus on the lowest spellers, we will be able to check in on their progress after phonic screening and evaluate who may need further assessment to check whether dyslexia is a likely concern.