Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Making lessons accessible by default ensures that all students can engage with learning from the outset, reducing barriers and fostering genuine inclusion. 

Small, intentional choices—like using readable fonts, clear instructions, and multiple ways to access content—can make a significant difference. Rather than relying on reactive adjustments, accessible design creates classrooms where diversity is expected and supported. 

Read the full article here for practical strategies to make your teaching more inclusive.

The UK Home Office Accessibility Posters provide clear, practical guidelines for making classroom materials and digital content more inclusive. 

They cover a range of accessibility needs, including those of students with dyslexia, autism, low vision, physical or motor disabilities, and anxiety. 

Each poster offers simple "Do" and "Don't" recommendations, such as using plain language, clear layouts, descriptive buttons, and transcripts for videos, while avoiding cluttered designs, vague instructions, and unnecessary complexity. 

Diffit is a great tool for making learning more accessible for all students. 

It allows teachers to quickly adjust reading materials to different levels, ensuring that every student can engage with the content in a way that suits them best. 

By providing personalised support, Diffit helps create a more inclusive and supportive classroom environment.

Are labels helping or harming students? 

Labels in education can unlock vital support but may also create unintended barriers. 

Research highlights that while they offer clarity and access to resources, they can also lead to lower expectations and social stigma. How can educators strike the right balance?

Explore the latest insights and evidence-based strategies in this article.

PACE, which stands for Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy, is a therapeutic model used to build positive, supportive relationships. 

It encourages a playful, non-threatening approach to interactions, helping individuals feel more at ease and open to connection.

Acceptance ensures that people are embraced without judgment, fostering an environment where their feelings and experiences are validated. 

Curiosity invites a deeper understanding of others' perspectives, showing a genuine interest in their thoughts and emotions. 

Lastly, Empathy helps individuals feel truly seen and cared for, strengthening emotional bonds and creating a sense of safety. Together, these principles promote emotional regulation, trust, and personal growth, making PACE an invaluable tool in school settings.

Image above from bMindful Psychology (n.d.) Understanding the PACE Model. Available at: https://www.bmindfulpsychology.co.uk/post/understanding-the-pace-model (Accessed: April 2025). 

The Autism Toolbox is a comprehensive guide for supporting students with autism. It provides a variety of tools and strategies for educators, including sensory-based interventions, communication supports, and inclusive teaching practices. 

The website offers specific approaches for supporting social skills, emotional regulation, and academic achievement, ensuring that students with autism can thrive in all aspects of school life.

The Hacking Your ADHD podcast and website offer practical advice for managing ADHD symptoms, both in students and in educators. 

The resource provides strategies for creating a supportive classroom environment, including tips for structuring lessons, managing distractions, and fostering a sense of belonging for students with ADHD. 

If you're looking for practical strategies to enhance classroom engagement and support students with ADHD, this resource is a valuable tool.

This resource provides practical strategies for creating a dyslexia-friendly classroom, offering educators valuable insights into supporting students with dyslexia. 

By focusing on inclusive teaching practices such as multi-sensory learning, clear instructions, and dyslexia-friendly resources, this guide aims to foster an environment where all learners can thrive.

Whether you're a teacher, support staff, or school leader, these approaches will help ensure that students with dyslexia receive the support they need to succeed academically and feel included in the learning process.

The Pyramid of Learning model offers a structured approach to understanding and addressing the developmental stages of learning. 

The website breaks down key developmental stages and provides guidance on how educators can support students' growth at each stage, from sensory processing to cognitive development. 

Practical strategies include scaffolding learning experiences and fostering emotional regulation. If you're looking for a clear framework to support student learning and inclusion, explore more about the Pyramid of Learning.

This research-based article provides an in-depth look at how handwriting skills develop and how educators can intervene when students struggle with handwriting. 

It includes insights into the impact of handwriting on academic performance and offers practical interventions such as fine motor exercises and strategies to support students with handwriting difficulties. For teachers looking to enhance handwriting instruction and support students with challenges, this article is a must-read.

This resource explores the concept of retained primitive reflexes and their impact on a child's development. 

Retained reflexes can interfere with a child's ability to learn and behave in the classroom. The website provides actionable strategies to support students with retained reflexes, including sensory activities and exercises that can help promote better motor coordination and self-regulation. 

Educators can find practical tips for identifying and addressing these reflexes to help students thrive in the learning environment.

This resource focuses on the development of executive function skills, which are crucial for academic success and daily life. 

It outlines how these skills progress from childhood to adulthood and provides specific strategies to enhance skills like organisation, time management, and self-regulation in students of all ages. 

Educators can find practical advice on fostering these skills in the classroom through activities like goal-setting exercises and structured routines.