The SENDcast

The impact of a teacher's style and approach can be profound, especially when it comes to students with special educational needs (SEN) and behaviour challenges. Some teachers effortlessly handle students perceived as "difficult", while others struggle and resort to excessive punishment.

On this week's podcast, we're discussing teacher styles for supporting SEN and behaviour with our regular guest Fintan O’Regan. Fintan looks a 3 specific types of teacher style and considers the merits of each - are you a controller, a friend, or a benevolent dictator?

1. Controller – These subject specialists adopt a "my way or the highway" mentality, often displaying rigid behaviour management techniques.
2. Friend – Teachers with a friendly approach aim to be liked by their students. They create a classroom environment based on negotiation and democratic principles.
3. Benevolent Dictator – These teachers strike a balance by setting clear rules and expectations while remaining realistic and making reasonable adjustments to accommodate students' needs.

It is crucial that teachers themselves, recruiters, and those involved in teacher training consider what it takes for the vision of every teacher to be a teacher of every child. This includes those who appear ready and available to learn and those that have SEND.

Listen to explore the considered merits of the 3 teacher styles, which Fintan perceives to be the most effective, and strategies and potential outcomes with each approach.

“You have to find a way that suits your style within the institution you're in and be allowed to flourish.”

Fintan O’Regan, Behaviour and SEN Consultant

He was the Head teacher of the Centre Academy from 1996 -2002, which was the first specialist school in the UK for students between the ages of 7-19 specialising issues related to ADHD, ASD and ODD.

He is an associate lecturer for Leicester University, the National Association of Special Needs, the Institute of Education, the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre and the former Vice Chairman of the UK ADHD Network and of the European ADHD Alliance.

Fintan now works as trainer and consultant for schools and school support systems including, Social Services, Health, the Police and Foster carers with regards to providing behaviour management strategies for children and families struggling with SEND and behaviour issues.

https://twitter.com/fintanoregan

https://www.facebook.com/FintanORegansBehaviourManagementConsultancy/

[email protected]

• The Teacher's Toolkit
• The Top Traits of an Effective SEN Teacher
• 10 Essential Skills Every Special Education Teacher Needs
• Successfully Teaching and Managing Children with ADHD

· 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

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.

School can often be a traumatic experience for autistic children and young people. Unfortunately, many individuals, particularly girls, go undiagnosed and lack the necessary support they need. This has led to low school attendance rates and a concerning decline in mental health.

As it’s Autism Acceptance Week, I am excited to welcome Emily Katy to our studio to share her incredible story and insights on 'Autistic Masking, School, and Mental Health'.

During Emily’s inspirational podcast she covers the following:

• Her journey – undiagnosed autistic for nearly 17 years, challenges at school contributed to anxiety/OCD/depression leading to her being sectioned aged 16 on a children’s mental health unit.
• Her experience of school as an undiagnosed autistic girl – masking, challenges in the environment.
• What helped her at school – good teacher relationships, reasonable adjustments.

This discussion is a must-listen for anyone currently navigating a similar journey. Share this inspiring story far and wide, as it’s a beacon of hope for those who may be facing similar challenges.

“You were forced into the same environment every day, regardless of the effects that it has on you. I can't tell you how much better my life has been since I finished uni and have been in a stable job, the last year and a half has been the best year and a half of my life.”

Emily Katy

EMILY KATY, 22, lived as an undiagnosed autistic girl for nearly seventeen years. After completing her degree in 2022, she qualified as a mental health nurse. She has a large, highly engaged following on Twitter and Instagram (@ItsEmilyKaty) and a blog www.authenticallyemily.uk, where she talks about autism and mental health. Emily is a Trustee of the charity 'The Autistic Girls Network', a former Governor and member of the CAMHS young people's council for her local NHS trust, and in 2021 to celebrate the International Day of the Girl, she was selected by the Women of the World Foundation as one of their 2021 40 Young Leaders. She lives in Hertfordshire with her family and two dogs, and loves books, writing, scrapbooking and Greys Anatomy. GIRL UNMASKED is her first book.

· 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

https://twitter.com/ItsEmilyKaty

https://www.instagram.com/ItsEmilyKaty/

www.authenticallyemily.uk

GIRL UNMASKED: How Uncovering My Autism Saved My Life

· 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

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 c...

Exams can be a daunting experience for students as they face the pressure to perform well and the associated stress. Many students may feel unprepared, lacking effective revision techniques and uncertainty about what to expect in the exam room.

Today, I am delighted to welcome back Dr Susie Nyman, one of our regular guests, to discuss ‘Standardised Approach to Exams’. With GCSE and A-Level exams fast approaching, Susie shares invaluable insights on how to succeed in exams, not just for students with SEND but for all, enabling them to achieve higher grades and secure admission to university.

During our conversation, Susie highlights the following strategies:

• Observing and narrating
• Lesson delivery
  • Multisensory techniques
  • Teaching new terminology
  • Effective notes and revision cards
• Exam technique
  • Practice papers/questions
  • Command verbs
  • Levels of response questions

Listen to gain valuable insights into Susie’s tried and tested techniques, designed to prepare your students for success in exams and, ultimately, even help them enjoy the process.

Dr Susie Nyman is passionate about discovering how children learn and supporting them in ways which enable them to succeed. She was appointed as a Biology teacher at The Sixth Form College Farnborough in 1995, and subsequently as Curriculum Manager for Health and Social Care where she has worked ever since.

Susie strives to raise students’ achievements and support them in ways which enables them to succeed. She works with her students deploying a range of innovative and Multi-sensory teaching techniques to assist their learning including her ‘Equality and Diversity Tree’ and famous puppets!

Additionally, she has provided training to PGCE students at Kingston University, and in a number of local schools and colleges on teaching strategies. Since February 2017, Susie has presented seminars on ‘Multi-sensory Techniques’ at The Learning Differences Conventions in Australia, Richmond College, The Helen Arkell Centre, Bell House, The Oratory School, The National Education Show and The Tes SEN Shows in London and Manchester.

Recently, she was filmed ‘in action’ for The British Dyslexia Association as well as Oaka Books, and the footage is available on YouTube. Subsequently, she has written a chapter about ‘Multi-sensory Teaching’ in the BDA Dyslexia Friendly Schools Good Practice Guide and ‘The Multi-sensory Teaching Toolkit’ by Oaka Books.

In recognition of over 21 years continued service at The Sixth Form College Farnborough, Susie has been nominated three times by the College for the ‘Tes FE Teacher of the Year Award’. This is an honour of which she is immensely proud.

@DrSusieNyman

drnymanconsultancy.co.uk

[email protected]

Published work

• Susie’s books

· 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

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.

SENCOs face lots of challenges in their role, one significant one being many headteachers’ lack of understanding of the role. Traditionally, becoming a headteacher followed a career pathway, progressing from teacher to deputy head, and finally to headship. During this, detailed SEND training was often overlooked which has led to an awful lot of misconceptions and lack of awareness among headteachers on the vital SENCO role. This has led to SENCOs feeling frustrated from not being heard or understood.

In today’s episode, we hear from an experienced SENCO who has worked with 11 headteachers over 23 years – Lynn How. Lynn joins Dale to discuss ‘Strengthening the SENCO-Headteacher Partnership’.

In the discussion we explore:

• Barriers to headteacher engagement
• Types of headteacher (broadly speaking...)
• What SENCOs want their heads to know
• Ideas to get them onside

Listen to hear practical ideas and strategies that SENCOs can implement straight away to support their relationship with their headteacher and align priorities. By bridging this knowledge gap between the roles, we can create stronger partnerships and ensure that the needs of students with SEND are met effectively.

Lynn How is an educational consultant, editor of Teacher Toolkit website and blogger.

With 20 years of primary teaching and SLT experience, she has been an Assistant Head, Lead Mentor for ITT and SENCO. She loves to write and also has her own SEMH and staff mental health blog: www.positiveyoungmind.com.

Lynn holds an MA in Education, is a fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching (FCCT), NASENCO and NPQH. Her particular areas of interest are wellbeing (staff and pupil), SEND, children's mental health, leadership, mentoring and coaching. Recently she has started an Educational Consultancy business for SEND (SEND support) and Teacher Wellbeing (The Wellbeing Lady). Lynn’s first book, ‘Starting Out As A Primary Senco’, is being published by Bloomsbury in September 2024.

https://twitter.com/Positive_Y_Mind

https://www.facebook.com/PositiveYoungMind

www.positiveyoungmind.com

[email protected]

My CPD training for school leaders and adaption training for SENCOs

· 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

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.

Before announcing the final episode of 2024, I just wanted to say a big heartfelt thank you to you, our wonderful listeners! It has been another remarkable year with 51 episodes recorded, 19 new guest speakers, 100,000 downloads and a nasen award to celebrate our achievements. Thank you for being part of this journey!

This week, we dive into the concept of relational practice - a powerful approach that emphasises treating others as we wish to be treated, fostering equality, and mutual respect. I'm thrilled to welcome two new guests to the podcast: Beth Elkins, Headteacher, and Ian Thorsteinsson, Executive Principal of Gretton School.

In this episode, ‘The power of relational practice in an autism setting’, Beth and Ian discuss how changing the culture of a school can support the reduction of behaviours of concern and create a thriving learning environment. They share insights on the essence of relational practice and discuss the implementation.

Key takeaways include:

• The significance of shifting away from traditional hierarchical models in education.
• Strategies for creating a supportive environment that encourages intrinsic motivation.
• Insights on managing behaviour through understanding rather than punishment.

Accommodations for autism are not always clear for professionals, listen to this episode to hear how relational practice allows connection, communication and change in the most powerful of ways.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a well-deserved break! I look forward to returning in the New Year with an exciting lineup of guest speakers and more great content.

Beth Elkins has worked in SEN for more than 25 years with a breadth of experience of working with learners with unique learning profiles and a need for education to be different. A parent of a young man with PDA, Beth’s passion for specialist education runs through both her personal and professional life, with the aim of making a positive difference in the lives of as many young people as possible.

Ian Thorsteinsson joined the Cavendish Group in August 2018. He has a long senior management history in specialist education, particularly in autism schools and services. He has even opened a school for autism in Saudi Arabia. He is passionate about delivering a strong, effective and well resourced provision, which is planned individually, to ensure the best short- through to long-term outcomes.

grettonschool.com

[email protected]

http://Facebook.com/@grettonschool

http://instagram.com/@grettonschool

• 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

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.