The SENDcast

• nasen awards - Michelle Madziak, Teacher of the Year

  In this special episode, Michelle Madziak discusses her recognition as a joint winner of the Teacher of the Year award at the nasen Awards. She emphasises her passion for empowering students and the transformative impact of her work in a special needs setting. Michelle highlights her innovative use of communication tools like tactile signing and iPads to enhance inclusion. She shares her experiences leading outdoor activities, such as camping and canoeing, for students with complex needs, stressing the importance of providing them with opportunities similar to their mainstream peers. Michelle also introduced "Deals on Wheels," a student-led shop that fosters independence and entrepreneurship. Throughout the conversation, she highlights the collaborative effort of her team and the support from school leadership in implementing her ideas. She encourages other educators to embrace challenges and focus on what students can do, advocating for inclusive practices that empower all learners.   About Michelle I grew up and did my teacher training in Canada. When I graduated from education I decided to move to Australia to teach and travel. It was in Melbourne where I fell in love teaching in an SEN school. When I returned to Canada I started looking for SEN jobs and found one in Wolverhampton England! I came for a tour and fell in love! I have worked at Green Park school for just over 11 years now. I found my passion in sixth form. I am an advocate for young adult’s voice and choice and opportunities to transfer their skills into their community. I take pupils into the community swimming, spin class, shopping, work experience, markets stalls, library and more! I have lead residentials and have lead the Duke of Edinburgh for the last three years. For the last two years I have had 10 pupils achieve their bronze award and this year two pupils are doing their silver award, and 16 pupils are doing their bronze. With the support of Laches Wood all pupils experience an inclusive camping trip and a canoe expedition!   Contact Michelle https://www.facebook.com/GreenParkSchoolWolverhampton [email protected]   About the nasen awards The nasen awards celebrate outstanding contributions to the education and support of children and young people with SEND. These annual awards recognise individuals, schools, and organisations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusive education and the advancement of SEND practices. nasen is a charitable organisation that supports children and young people with SEND. nasen's goals include Influencing government policy, providing information, training and resources to support practitioners and contributing to the debate and effecting change to improve outcomes for children and young people.   Useful Links nasen website nasen events and CPD nasen live conference  nasen Awards   B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk  Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast  Email Dale – [email protected]  Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe   The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.

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• The Importance of Literacy Education for ALL learners with Chantal Bryan & Sarah Giles

  In today’s episode, ‘The Importance of Literacy Education for ALL Learners’, Chantal Bryan and Sarah Giles from the charity Teach Us Too join Dale for an engaging discussion. The conversation centres around Chantal’s son, Jonathan, who faces significant challenges due to his complex physical disabilities. I was inspired by his incredible journey towards being able to communicate with his family and his progress in learning to read and write! Chantelle shares her experience of taking Jonathan out of special school to provide him with a literacy-focused education, emphasising the importance of not making assumptions about a child's capabilities based on their labels. With the support of educators like Sarah, Jonathan has made remarkable progress, including starting university courses in creative writing. As Chantal puts it, “Literacy is the key to unlocking their voice.” This inspiring episode highlights the importance of a literacy-rich environment, the need for inclusive educational practices, and the belief that all children should have the opportunity to learn to read and write. Chantal and Sarah discuss strategies for making literacy engaging and accessible, including the use of low-tech tools like E-Tran frames, which can aid communication for non-verbal learners. Listen to hear why literacy is vital for all students and how it opens doors to communication, personal expression and transforms lives.   About Chantal Bryan OBE No-one’s story should ever involve a parent needing to remove a child from school in order to teach them to read and write.  If we had to do this for all our children, there would be national uproar.   Through my experience as a mother who took her son out of special school to teach him to read and write I have seen first hand the need for a greater understanding of the potential to learn in students with complex needs.  I have also experienced the immeasurable difference that being able to read and write makes both for a child or young person who is non-speaking, and also their family and friends around them.  This has driven and motivated my determination to make a difference for those children.   About Sarah Giles I trained as a primary school teacher and later became a SENCo within a mainstream primary school.   After a few years away from the classroom while I had my own family I was introduced to Jonathan & his family who were looking for the help of a primary school teacher for his home education.  I then worked with Chantal to teach Jonathan at home for several years.  When Jonathan established Teach Us Too, he asked me to take a lead on his behalf and I have been working with the charity ever since.   Contact Chantal & Sarah https://www.facebook.com/TeachUsToo https://x.com/TeachUsToo [email protected]   Useful Links Jonathan’s blog Jonathan’s book – ‘Eye Can Write’ Jonathan’s Facebook page Emma Maskell the class that roared Transformational Tales Out of my Mind   B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk  Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast  Email Dale – [email protected]  Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe   The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.  

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  49:49
• nasen awards - Chapman Shum, Young Advocate of the Year

  The podcast features Chapman Shum, the nasen Young Advocate of the Year 2024 winner, discussing his journey as a visually impaired musician. Chapman, who was born blind and has learning difficulties, shares how music has been a powerful tool for connection and expression. He emphasises that challenges can be overcome and aims to inspire others facing difficulties. His mentor, Professor Adam, highlights Chapman's exceptional musical abilities, including his talent for improvisation and participation in the National Open Youth Orchestra. The conversation highlights the importance of recognising the musical potential in children with disabilities, challenging stereotypes, and promoting inclusive music-making. They also discuss the Amber Trust, a charity supporting blind and partially sighted children in music, and the Sounds of Intent framework, which focuses on recognising the musical abilities of children with complex needs.   About Chapman Chapman is a young pianist who has overcome significant challenges to achieve success in music. Born blind and with complex disabilities, including autism and hearing loss, he began learning piano at the age of 6. By 13, he had earned the ABRSM ARSM diploma in Piano Performance. A recipient of the Amber Trust Award, Chapman is also a proud member of both the National Open Youth Orchestra London “NOYO” and the London Youth Folk Ensemble “LYFE”, where he continues to explore his passion for music and collaboration. Through his performances, he strives to inspire others and promote inclusivity. In 2024, Chapman was named the nasen Advocate of the Year.   About Adam Adam Ockelford is a Professor of Music at the University of Roehampton in London, celebrated for his transformative contributions to music education and accessibility for individuals with disabilities. He is the founder of The Amber Trust, a charity dedicated to supporting blind and partially sighted children on their musical journeys, ensuring that every child, regardless of their needs, can experience the joy and empowerment of music.   As the creator of the "Sounds of Intent" framework, Adam has developed innovative ways to support musical development for individuals with diverse abilities. His pioneering work in music psychology and education has had a profound impact, particularly on children with autism, blindness, and other disabilities.    In recognition of his dedication to inclusive music-making, Adam was recently awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Trinity College London. This prestigious honour acknowledges his efforts to ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has their musical abilities recognized and celebrated.   Beyond his research and advocacy, Adam is an accomplished musician and inspiring educator, empowering countless young musicians to achieve extraordinary milestones and demonstrating that music has the power to connect, inspire, and transform lives.   About the nasen awards The nasen awards celebrate outstanding contributions to the education and support of children and young people with SEND. These annual awards recognise individuals, schools, and organisations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusive education and the advancement of SEND practices. nasen is a charitable organisation that supports children and young people with SEND. nasen's goals include Influencing government policy, providing information, training and resources to support practitioners and contributing to the debate and effecting change to improve outcomes for children and young people.   Contact Chapman https://www.facebook.com/musicismytruecalling/ https://www.instagram.com/scmchapman?igsh=MWFjYTkxMWsxaHR1 https://x.com/ChapmanShum [email protected]   Contact Adam https://www.facebook.com/theambertrust https://www.instagram.com/theambertrust?igsh=amNpdm9pcTBvNWZr https://x.com/theambertrust [email protected]   Useful Links nasen website nasen events and CPD nasen live conference  nasen Awards   B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk  Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast  Email Dale – [email protected]  Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe   The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.

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  40:18
• Structured Teaching, Pre-empting Barriers and Developing Curriculum Pathways with Tanya Lefort

  As the number of children with SEND in mainstream schools continues to rise, coupled with limited spaces in specialist settings, the demand for effective and inclusive support is huge. More children are entering classrooms with complex needs, placing pressure on mainstream schools to meet those needs. But how can schools do this? This week, Tanya Lefort joined Dale to discuss ‘Structured Teaching, Pre-empting Barriers and Developing Curriculum Pathways’. With 18 years’ experience in SEN, Tanya highlights effective strategies for educators to meet the increasing demands of inclusive education. “Children are really, really good at teaching us how to be better teachers.” Tanya Lefort Key takeaways from their conversation: The importance of focusing on what students can do, rather than what they can't. Implementing visual systems to foster independence in neurodivergent learners. The necessity of tailored approaches that adapt to each child's unique needs. Strategies to empower children and reduce "learned helplessness" in the classroom. Tanya also emphasises the need for schools to create supportive environments that allow all students to thrive, regardless of their challenges. Make sure you listen to this episode to hear practical insights to enhance your teaching practice and support your students effectively! About Tanya Lefort Tanya began her career at the age of 18, working with adults who presented challenging behaviours and had autism spectrum disorders (ASD). While funding her university studies, she secured a teaching assistant position in a special educational needs (SEN) school, where she gained valuable experience in structured teaching, positive behaviour approaches, and sensory processing. After completing her studies, Tanya transitioned into a lecturing role at a college specialising in SEN, where she served as the head of autism and behaviour. She further enhanced her expertise by training as a Maybo trainer and supporting the National Autistic Society (NAS) accreditation process. Additionally, she completed a five-day TEACCH course, deepening her understanding of autism education methodologies. In 2014, Tanya was appointed as a Key Stage 1 (KS1) Area Resource Provision (ARP) teacher in a mainstream school. She excelled in this role and eventually became the ARP leader and a Key Stage 2 (KS2) ARP teacher, focusing on effective management of challenging behaviours. Tanya completed the NASENCO award and subsequently secured a position as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), later advancing to assistant head. She worked with the local authority as a lead SENCO, supporting other SENCOs in developing best practices for children with special educational needs in both mainstream and ARP settings. Currently, Tanya is part of a working group focused on developing funding descriptors for children with Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) in mainstream and specialist provisions. She leads ARP/SRP network meetings for the local authority and facilitates the NPQ SENCO course for University College London through Teach West London, continuing her commitment to improving educational outcomes for all children with SEN. Useful Links B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk  Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast  Email Dale – [email protected]  Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.  

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  1:32:32
• nasen awards - Dale Pickles, Resource for SEND

  In this podcast episode, Dale Pickles takes a step back from hosting duties where his colleague Jon asks the questions. They discuss the success of the SENDcast podcast, which won the Resource for SEND at the nasen awards 2024. Dale reflects on the podcast’s journey over four years, highlighting its reach of over 350,000 listens and contributions from 83 experts in the field. Dale emphasises that the recognition from nasen is not just personal but aims to expand the podcast's audience, helping more people discover its valuable resources. He discusses the challenges, why he produces the podcast, memorable moments and heartfelt feedback received from listeners. Dale expresses his desire to continue exploring diverse topics within the SEND community and encourages people to be ‘curious, not judgmental’. About Dale Dale is the Managing Director of B Squared. He works with schools all over the UK to help deliver best practice, reduce teacher workload and help schools move forward with assessment. Dale is the host of the SENDcast, the #1 podcast for Special Needs and CPD online training, providing affordable SEND education for all. Dale has spoken at conferences such as the Autism Show and Tes SEND Show. About the nasen awards The nasen awards celebrate outstanding contributions to the education and support of children and young people with SEND. These annual awards recognise individuals, schools, and organisations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusive education and the advancement of SEND practices. nasen is a charitable organisation that supports children and young people with SEND. nasen's goals include Influencing government policy, providing information, training and resources to support practitioners and contributing to the debate and effecting change to improve outcomes for children and young people.   Contact Dale Podcast and CPD around SEND for schools and parents - SENDcast [email protected]  Dale Pickles | LinkedIn   Useful Links nasen website nasen events and CPD nasen live conference  nasen Awards   B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk  Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast  Email Dale – [email protected]  Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe   The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.

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  36:31

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