With our trainees preparing for their block practice and having just completed their first assessments, we thought it would be a good time to reflect on what has been a positive half term. Our Primary trainees have recently submitted their first PGCE assignment and this reading and reflection will now support them in preparing for their second assessment point when they consider how adaptive teaching can help them to meet the needs of the children in their classes. Our schools report back that our trainees are making good progress and are supporting their mentors and children in so many ways.  Check out this video where our two trainees at Abbotskerswell have been using video to teach sign language across the school. This is what Headteacher Kevin Martin  had to say about them: 

"Our two trainees from Exeter Consortium, Mrs Rachel Hawkins and Miss Danielle Searle, came up with their own way that our bubbles can continue to communicate with each other while having to be kept apart.  Each week, Danielle and Rachel make and send videos of themselves teaching a ‘Sign of the Week’ to each of the teachers in our school.  Children in each class then watch these in their class with their teachers.  
 
The signs have been a great way for our pupils to continue to be able to communicate with those in different classes who they are not getting an opportunity to see at the moment.  
We have had very good feedback from parents about this, with parents commenting how their children have been coming home and show the different signs to them.  It has also been a good example of how teachers are thinking of creative ways of engaging the children and bringing out some positives during these challenging times.  
 
It has been great that even at an early stage in their placements, our trainees were able to think creatively and offer something that has impacted positively on our whole school community."

If you’re thinking about training to teach with us, keep an eye on this blog and our Twitter @ExCoTSA and Facebook www.facebook.com/ExCoTSA feeds to learn more about our school-centred approach.

1. Inclusion Forum Steering Group updates

• ADHD project information
• ADHD flyer
• ADHD project overview
• Help with UCL research into ending EHC Plans. (Letter from a researcher from the Institute of Education who is hoping to gather the views of parents for a piece of research on EHCPs. It would be really helpful to him if SENCOs could pass on the questionnaire to any suitable parents.)
• Whole School SEND | Free online training for anyone wishing to conduct SEND reviews in school:​

Online SEND Reviewer Training now available
Free to access, and open to all education professionals.

In order to improve the skills and confidence of the schools’ workforce in supporting the delivery of high-quality SEND provision to pupils, Real Group and Whole School SEND are developing an online version of SEND Reviewer Training, which will enable more people within the schools’ workforce to conduct quality reviews of SEND provision and empower settings to improve their practices.
 
To benefit from this course, please complete your details using the following link and we’ll send you log-in details to our virtual learning environment, Campus Online: Registration link

• ​SW Whole School SEND webinar:

Developing sustainable professional learning models using a blended approach
Thursday 12 November, 4.00 - 5.00pm. FREE

In this webinar, Dr Jim Rogers shares his thoughts and experience on how to make the most of technology alongside expert input in the design and implementation of high-quality, sustainable, professional learning models. Key messages will include:
• ensuring accessibility
• collaborative models: professional learning communities
• bottom-up, practitioner-led professional learning
• sustainability
• implementation and impact
• critically engaging with research and evidence
 
This webinar is suitable for SENCOs and Teaching & Learning Leads and will run for 60 minutes. Registration link

• An interesting new blog available on the SEND gateway by Teacher Tapp, on  parents links with schools: Teacher Tapp - The Parent Paradox: SEND Edition
• Survey for SENCOs to complete to review the work of Whole School SEND: Survey link

2. Devon Inclusion Plans | Update from Marc Kastner, Strategic Lead for Inclusion, DCC

• Devon Inclusion presentation

3. SEND update including how the SEND & Inclusion Teams are supporting schools | Paul Lamanna, Professional Lead for Communication and Interaction, Babcock LDP

• ​SEND Inclusion presentation

 
4. Mental Health Provision for Schools | Sarah Lewis, Mental Health Support Team, CAMHS

• The Emotional Health and Wellbeing Pathway
• Wellbeing For Education Return Covid-19 - webinar training

 
5. Opportunities for Outdoor Learning | Robyn Vincent, South West Outdoors

• The Outdoors Group overview

6. Update on changes to the Communication and Interaction Team | Paul Lamanna

• Communication and Interaction Team presentation

7. Update on the EHCP Hub | Velda Woodruff, SEN 0-25 Team Manager

• Devon's EHC Hub presentation
• Devon's EHC Hub info 1
• Devon's EHC Hub info 2
• Devon's EHC Hub info 3
• Devon's EHC Hub info 4
• Devon's EHC Hub guidance

​​Velda's answers to remaining questions which were not covered at the end of the meeting:

• “Are the plans being amended to reflect the need for a change of wording to the outcomes when a child changes a Key Stage? Should we be highlighting this to show the need to change the wording?” There should be discussion at the review about appropriateness of outcomes, if they need to change, an alternative outcome can be proposed. This can then be included within the report of the review meeting.
• “Is there a reason I can’t see all the EHCPs on the hub that I have in school” No, with this particular query, please contact Ben.williams@devon.gov.uk
• “Do we still have year 5 transfer reviews?” There are no transfer reviews, this related to the transfer from a statement of SEN to an EHCP. This process is complete. The review in year 5 can be used to inform thoughts and planning for secondary transition and this can be recorded within the report of the review meeting.
• “I think all SENCos should be congratulated on managing and using a new system without training or support up until now!” We do appreciate your efforts, thank you. We have provided a lot of information including updates and user guidance for the Hub. Face to face training was not an option. Any feedback on the guidance, so suggestions of things which need to be covered in more depth, would be welcome. Attached is the list of comms which has been circulated regarding the development of the EHC Hub in Devon.

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