This series covers both residential and mainstream education. http://www.naht.org.uk/specialneeds.rss Government Guidance: Planning and Assessment for Special Educational Needs (2007) In October 2007 NAHT advised members that in order to take a proactive part at national level as well as local level, we needed to be informed if local authorities were proposing to restructure / reorganise their special educational needs provision. At that time.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=3 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:57:53 GMT 20080425115753 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:57:53 GMT 20080425115753 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:57:53 GMT 2008042511115753 Speech, language and communication services for children and young people must improve. The work on this review is ongoing an interim review issued 20 March 2008, stated that over 2000 people had responded to the consultation. The point was made that although government invested measures to address children's speech, language and.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=4 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:59:27 GMT 20080425115927 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:59:27 GMT 20080425115927 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:59:27 GMT 2008042511115927 NAHT has regular meetings with Hardip Begol and his colleagues, as well as being part of joint union meetings. If you would like a particular issue raised, please contact Jan Myles (janm@naht.org.uk), who will try to ensure that it is addressed at the next meeting. http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=14 Wed, 28 May 2008 13:37:09 GMT 20080528133709 Wed, 28 May 2008 13:37:09 GMT 20080528133709 Wed, 28 May 2008 13:37:09 GMT 200805281313709 The SEN Committee met on 14th May, when a packed agenda illustrated just how much is happening in the SEN and disability world at the moment. Items covered included: Alan Steer's Advisory Group This is a new group set up to consider the progress made since 'Learning Behaviour' was published in 2005. John Troake, Head of a High School in S. Croydon, has been nominated to be NAHT's representative on the Group. The Bercow Review John.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=15 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:47:17 GMT 20080528144717 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:47:17 GMT 20080528144717 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:47:17 GMT 200805281424717 Published this month is a White Paper on alternative forms of provision, including Pupil Referral Units (PRUs). Its title is 'Back on Track – a strategy for modernising alternative provision for young people.' Local Authorities will be invited to run 10 pilots to test a range of models over the next 3 years. http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=16 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:48:06 GMT 20080528144806 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:48:06 GMT 20080528144806 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:48:06 GMT 200805281424806 The following Motion, proposed by NAHT's SEN Committee, received the full support of members who attended the Annual Conference in Liverpool at the beginning of May: While welcoming the steps taken by Government to increase the opportunities for school leaders and their teams to develop their skills in working with pupils who have increasingly complex needs, Conference asks Government to explain how the 3-tiered approach outlined in its SEN Strategy will be met in full..... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=17 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:49:59 GMT 20080528144959 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:49:59 GMT 20080528144959 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:49:59 GMT 200805281424959 As well as the IDP, the DCSF has funded 3 Trusts. Two of these have had websites for some time and are already producing information and materials. They are: The Communication Trust (www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk) and the Autism Education Trust (www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk). The other Trust will be known as The Dyslexia-SpLD Trust. Its website, www.thedyslexia-spldtrust.org.uk , is due to be up and running shortly. http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=18 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:50:31 GMT 20080528145031 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:50:31 GMT 20080528145031 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:50:31 GMT 200805281425031 The materials for the 1st year of this 4 year programme, covering Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and Dyslexia, are now available. Local Authorities are responsible for delivering the DVD to each of their schools and the materials can also be downloaded from www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk Under the joint banners of NAHT and Nasen, Rona Tutt and Tricia Barthorpe gave a seminar on the IDP at the Education Show in Birmingham. They are also providing training when requested to.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=19 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:51:24 GMT 20080528145124 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:51:24 GMT 20080528145124 Wed, 28 May 2008 14:51:24 GMT 200805281425124 Some of us attended NAHT's Education Conference in Kenilworth, which combined the sector conferences for the first time. This created opportunities to be together, as well as retaining parts of the conference where we could concentrate on issues relevant to each sector. The disadvantage was that the change of date from November to October meant that it clashed with 2 other SEN Conferences. This is being looked at for next year. http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=63 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:20:55 GMT 20081119102055 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:20:55 GMT 20081119102055 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:20:55 GMT 2008111910102055 At its meeting in October, the committee heard from Phil Snell, who described the steps that were being taken to implement the training promised in the government's SEN Strategy, Removing Barriers to Achievement. Phil reported that SEN and Disability modules have been piloted for those taking the undergraduate routes to QTS, and that similar units will be produced for PGCE students. He also spoke about the Inclusion Development Programme (IDP) which was mentioned in the previous Blog. The.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=65 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:25:04 GMT 20081119102504 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:25:04 GMT 20081119102504 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:25:04 GMT 2008111910102504 In the last few months, there has been such a tidal wave of activity that it is hard to keep up with it all. Here are some of the recent developments: 1. Bills and Acts Although the Autism Bill is on hold at the moment, the SEN Information Bill has been passed and so is now an Act. This means that information will be collected annually on the provision available in different areas and the progress made by pupils with different kinds of needs. 2. Consultations The consultation on.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=64 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:24:16 GMT 20081119102416 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:24:16 GMT 20081119102416 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:25:29 GMT 2008111910102529 As those of you who read the October Blog will be aware, the last few months have seen an unprecedented outpouring of documentation from the DCSF and elsewhere. This tidal wave shows no signs of reducing. So, between now and the end of term, this Blog, as well as welcoming contributions on SEN-related matters from any member at any time, will be used to give a synopsis of the most significant documents. This should help you decide whether or not you need to use up your printer ink running.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=68 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:12:56 GMT 20081124111256 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:12:56 GMT 20081124111256 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:12:56 GMT 2008112411111256 A year ago, the government announced that there would be a Review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. An Interim Report, Improving the mental health and psychological well-being of children and young people, was published in July this year and Children and young people in mind: the final report of the National CAMHS Review, appeared last month. There has been some confusion about the terminology, as CAMHS is often taken to mean Child and Adolescent Mental Health.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=74 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:03:45 GMT 20081209100345 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:03:45 GMT 20081209100345 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:03:45 GMT 2008120910100345 No sooner had the Education and Skills Bill become an Act, than another Education Bill appeared, this time cunningly disguised under the title: Children, Skills and Learning Bill. This includes the following headlines: Increasing apprenticeships Establishing children's centres on a legal basis Ditto for Children's Trust Boards Creating a National Pay Body for support staff Recording acts of physical restraint Increasing the powers to.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=76 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:53:05 GMT 20081219115305 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:53:05 GMT 20081219115305 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:58:08 GMT 2008121911115808 As we move into a new year, the deluge of documentation shows no sign of abating. It seems that we have hardly had time digest the 170 pages of The Children's Plan, when December brought the 230 pages of The Children's Plan One Year On: a progress report. This mentions: The CAMHS Review and how some of the recommendations are being carried forward, including the setting up of a National Advisory Council to champion children's mental health and.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=82 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:00:13 GMT 20090112100013 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:00:13 GMT 20090112100013 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:02:43 GMT 2009011210100243 Croner's 4th Annual SEN and Disability Conference took place in London recently. Eileen Visser HMI, who has responsibility for inclusion among her other duties, mentioned Ofsted's forthcoming Review of SEN. Although it does not begin until April, evidence is being collected now and she invited anyone who wishes to do so to write in with their views. Her email address is: Eileen.visser@ofsted.gov.uk . NAHT is due to meet her shortly. Tricia Murphy (nee Barthorpe).... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=89 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:46:26 GMT 20090202104626 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:46:26 GMT 20090202104626 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:46:26 GMT 2009020210104626 SEN Committee On 12th February, NAHT's SEN Committee held its termly meeting. One of the items on the agenda was the updating of the Association's Policy on The Inclusion of Children and Young People with SEN and Disabilities. This Paper will be put to Annual Conference when it meets in Brighton at the beginning of May. If passed, it will supersede and combine the 2 existing policies on SEN and on Special Schools. Visitors to the Committee were Chris Beek and Ann.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=96 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:15:04 GMT 20090224101504 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:15:04 GMT 20090224101504 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:15:04 GMT 2009022410101504 As many members will be aware, the long awaited Ofsted Review of SEN is about to begin. NAHT took the opportunity to hold an early meeting with Eileen Visser, HMI, on Tuesday 10th March, who will be heading the Review. Although some of the finer and final details of the Review have yet to be made public, it is clear that it will run for a year from April 2009. It is likely to look at how to make the system work better rather than revolutionising it, in order to produce better outcomes for.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=105 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:37:36 GMT 20090319113736 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:37:36 GMT 20090319113736 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:37:36 GMT 2009031911113736 The Autism Education Trust held its 1st National Conference in London on 26th February. The event was extremely well attended and NAHT was represented. Perhaps some came out of curiosity to hear Sarah McCarthy-Fry, the newish Minister for SEN, who replaced Lord Adonis in the most recent reshuffle. Although the Minister does not have a wealth of experience in the field, she spoke of being “extremely passionate” about outcomes for all children, including those on the autistic.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=106 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:38:31 GMT 20090319113831 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:38:31 GMT 20090319113831 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:38:46 GMT 2009031911113846 In March 2006, Andrew Adonis, who, at that time was the Minister for SEN and Disability, announced that the DFES (as it was then) would provide £150,000 as start-up funds to create a national body to represent special schools. From this, the Federation of Leaders in Special Education (FLSE) was born. On 19th March, FLSE held its first National Conference at the Central Hall in London. The conference was opened by Gerry Gamble, Chair of FLSE. The main speaker was Sarah.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=117 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:45:48 GMT 20090417114548 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:45:48 GMT 20090417114548 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:49:00 GMT 2009041711114900 On Friday 3rd March, Clarissa Williams, National President and Rona Tutt, Past President, had a fascinating visit to 3 schools. Escorted by the indefatigable Branch Secretary for Guernsey, Dave Boalch, in the morning they visited Stampsons High School and Les Murier School, a splendid new building that incorporates a mainstream secondary and a special secondary school, providing plenty of opportunities for students to share facilities and resources. In the afternoon, there was a visit to.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=118 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:49:51 GMT 20090417114951 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:49:51 GMT 20090417114951 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:49:51 GMT 2009041711114951 This was a lively event with the Secretary of State with us in person and the Motion on whether or not to ballot to boycott key stage 2 SATs (every other avenue having been explored first). In addition, Paul Williams, Chair of NAHT's SEN Committee, put forward a Motion highlighting the need for NAHT to work with the DCSF in developing an assessment system that is capable of measuring the achievements of all pupils including those with SEN and disability (SEND). This was carried.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=128 Fri, 29 May 2009 12:51:20 GMT 20090529125120 Fri, 29 May 2009 12:51:20 GMT 20090529125120 Fri, 29 May 2009 12:51:20 GMT 2009052912125120 Following on from the Interim Report in February this year, Sir Alan has now completed his final report, 'Learning Behaviour: Lessons Learned.' This is a sizeable piece of work with 47 recommendations. These include: Recommendation 5 That the DCSF should work with the Professional Associations to review the current policy overload, so that there is 'a limited and coherent set of policy documents.' .... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=129 Fri, 29 May 2009 12:52:24 GMT 20090529125224 Fri, 29 May 2009 12:52:24 GMT 20090529125224 Fri, 29 May 2009 12:52:24 GMT 2009052912125224 Following on from NAHT's meeting in March with HMI Eileen Visser, who is leading the SEND Review, in April the Association was represented at the first of a series of meetings to gather evidence from stakeholders. This was held in the imposing surroundings of the Holborn Bars, not far from Ofsted's HQ. Eileen was present at the session, which was led by Janet Thompson. She said that Ofsted would focus on how well the current system is working. Inspectors are particularly.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=130 Fri, 29 May 2009 12:53:47 GMT 20090529125347 Fri, 29 May 2009 12:53:47 GMT 20090529125347 Fri, 29 May 2009 12:53:47 GMT 2009052912125347 The IDP is now in its 2nd year, with this year's focus being on the autism spectrum. The DVD is much better than last year's one on speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and dyslexia, both in layout and in content. So, if you were put off by the difficulty in finding your way round the first DVD, rest assured that the second one really is much easier to follow. To take some of the hard work out of it, NAHT is running some courses on the first 2 years of the programme..... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=131 Fri, 29 May 2009 13:08:18 GMT 20090529130818 Fri, 29 May 2009 13:08:18 GMT 20090529130818 Fri, 29 May 2009 13:08:38 GMT 200905291310838 This meets next on Thursday 4th June, when the items to be discussed include: The Steer Report The Laming Report The Lamb Inquiry (update) Progression Guidance and Achievement for All Projects NAHT's Education Conference. The latter will be held on 5th and 6th November at Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth. As last year, there will be 3 strands running through the programme: Primary, Secondary and SEN. Members can dip in and out of the various strands.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=132 Fri, 29 May 2009 13:10:00 GMT 20090529131000 Fri, 29 May 2009 13:10:00 GMT 20090529131000 Fri, 29 May 2009 13:10:00 GMT 200905291311000 You may be already aware that Ofsted has recently said that special schools and PRUs are likely to be inspected every 3 years regardless of the outcome of previosu inspections. As this was not made clear in the revised Framework issued last month, NAHT has taken this up with Ofsted. The response has been that the June version of the Framwork was a Draft and the final version will be out by the end of this month. Further details will appear on the NAHT website shortly..... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=158 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:50:01 GMT 20090717145001 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:50:01 GMT 20090717145001 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:55:05 GMT 200907171425505 The Association tries to meet with Hardip Begol of the SEN and Disability Department at the DCSF on a regular basis. The meeting on Monday 21st September was attended by Paul Williams (chair of the SEN committee), Jan Myles (HQ assistant secretary with responsibility for SEN – and much else) and Rona Tutt (past president and SEN consultant). This was the first time that we had been given an hour and a half with Hardip present on his own throughout. The agenda covered: .... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=190 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:24:05 GMT 20090930162405 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:24:05 GMT 20090930162405 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:24:05 GMT 200909301642405 The focus on improving behaviour continues. After the various reports from Sir Alan Steer, at the end of September the DCSF published: Delivering the behaviour challenge: Our commitment to good behaviour, and Working together for good behaviour in schools – Information for parents and carers. The first of these includes a reminder that the new Ofsted framework is getting tougher on behaviour. In paragraph 6 it says: 'A school will not normally be rated good overall if it is.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=222 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:57:15 GMT 20091116095715 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:57:15 GMT 20091116095715 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:58:45 GMT 200911160995845 NAHTs' SEN Committee met on Wed 13th Jan and is now the SEND Committee. Some members were still snowbound in N. Ireland, Wales and the worst hit parts of England. Since we last met in November at NAHT's Education Conference, Brian Lamb's final report has appeared: Lamb Inquiry – special educational needs and parental confidence (December 2009), which can be found at www.teachernet.gov.uk/publications. If you don't have time to read the whole thing, the first.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=248 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:15:32 GMT 20100125221532 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:15:32 GMT 20100125221532 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:15:32 GMT 2010012522101532 The Salt Review: Independent Review of Teacher Supply for Pupils with Severe, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (SLD and MLD) waslaunched by Ed Balls on Friday 5th March. The recommendations are grouped under these headings: Recruitment and Retention: Raising the profile of teaching SLD / PMLD Improving the supply pipeline and workforce Initial Teacher Training Improved clarity of.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=263 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:25:47 GMT 20100309092547 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:25:47 GMT 20100309092547 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:26:48 GMT 201003090992648 Last month saw an outpouring of SEND documentation, some of which may be affected by the disappearance of chunks of the Children, Schools and Families Act and any change of government!Happily, the implementation of the Salt Review and the CLDD Research Project should be unaffected. Implementation Plan for the Salt Review Following on from the launch of The Salt Review: Independent Review of Teacher Supply for Pupils with Severe, Profound and Multiple Learning.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=282 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:44:53 GMT 20100419104453 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:44:53 GMT 20100419104453 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:48:10 GMT 201004191424810 With a Coalition Government and at a time of significant financial restraint, it is hard to know exactly what is likely to happen to the outcomes of all the Inquiries, Reviews and Reports that were begun under the previous government. NAHT will have its first opportunity to consider the position when the SEND Committee meets on Wed 9th June. When the Association held its Annual Conference in Liverpool over the early May bank holiday, all 3 Education Spokesmen (as they were at the time).... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=314 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 10:03:12 GMT 20100601100312 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 10:03:12 GMT 20100601100312 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 10:03:12 GMT 2010060110100312 NAHT's SEND Committee (09.06.10) At the first meeting after Annual Conference, Paul Williams was re-elected as Chair and Tony Newman as Vice Chair. Both elections were unanimous. The Committee heard from 2 visitors. The first was Garry Steele, CEO of FLSE, who gave us an update on his organisation and discussed ways in which we might work together in the future, including the possibility of having an SEN Summit. The other was Philippa Stobbs, who had hoped.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=343 Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:36:13 GMT 20100716123613 Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:36:13 GMT 20100716123613 Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:36:13 GMT 2010071612123613 Since the last Blog, the Academies Bill has become an Act, the Ofsted Review of SEND has appeared and so has the Call for Views on a Green Paper on SEND. NAHT's SEND Committee met in September, just after the publication of these 2 key documents, when we were joined by Charlie Henry from Ofsted. Paul Williams (chair of SEND) has been working closely with Charlie in trying to ensure that special schools and PRUs are treated in the same way as other schools in terms of.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=374 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:41:04 GMT 20101004134104 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:41:04 GMT 20101004134104 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:41:04 GMT 201010041314104 In these times of alarmingly swift changes, from the cull of the quangos to the threat to the training of educational psychologists, the Association is working hard to interpret the effects on pupils with special needs. What, for instance, will be the significance of the pupil premium, and what will happen to schools, both mainstream and special, who want to gain an SEN specialism, now that the nature of specialist status is changing? Watch this space for the answer to these and any.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=391 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:18:26 GMT 20101101101826 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:18:26 GMT 20101101101826 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:19:38 GMT 2010110110101938 We are fast approaching a situation where it will be quicker to list what is staying the same, rather than trying to keep up with what is changing. However, here are a few of the developments. Meetings On 2nd November, the Westminster Education Forum's Seminar on Special Educational Needs – the next steps', rather than pointing the way forward, threatened to return us to the divisive debates of the 1980s and 1990s, with the representative of.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=405 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:00:11 GMT 20101130110011 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:00:11 GMT 20101130110011 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:00:11 GMT 2010113011110011 This should have been the Blog for highlighting the SEND Green Paper, but it has been delayed until February next year. However, this will still be in time for the important event publicised immediately below. FLSE, NAHT, NASEN, SSAT: SEND Green Paper Summit For some months now, and at the instigation of Garry Steele, CEO of FLSE, these 4 organisations have been working together to ensure that there is an opportunity to hear from Sarah Teather, the.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=415 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 10:07:14 GMT 20101222100714 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 10:07:14 GMT 20101222100714 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 10:07:39 GMT 2010122210100739 Welcome to the National Year of Communication and another year destined to be packed with information, legislation and documentation, as the national and local landscapes shifts. SEND Green Paper Summit As mentioned in the December Blog and flagged up more recently by Jan Myles, this conference will take place at the Central Hall, Westminster on 9th March 2011. The flyer is due to be sent out this week. As members of FLSE, nasen and SSAT as well as NAHT, are all being.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=423 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:18:25 GMT 20110131161825 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:18:25 GMT 20110131161825 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:18:44 GMT 201101311641844 Ever since the publication of the SEN Green Paper – Call for Views last Autumn, we have been waiting in anticipation of the Green Paper itself. Rumours have been rife, with suggestions that it would appear last December and then every month since then. Ministers have given various responses, but it looks as though it really might appear within the next 2 weeks. This uncertainty about the exact timing led to an interesting situation as regards the SEND Green Paper Summit, which was.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=430 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 10:56:33 GMT 20110301105633 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 10:56:33 GMT 20110301105633 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 10:56:33 GMT 2011030110105633 This has been a busy month on the SEND front, with the long awaited Green Paper finally putting in an appearance and the official launch of the CLDD Research Project materials. Green Paper Support and aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability As luck would have it, the Green Paper finally saw the light of day on Wednesday 9th March, the exact day of the Green Paper SEND Summit that NAHT, FLSE, nasen and SSAT had spent months.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=439 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:19:19 GMT 20110331151919 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:19:19 GMT 20110331151919 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:19:49 GMT 201103311531949 The Green Paper, Support and aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability, is still very much to the fore, as the consultation period doesn't end until 30th June. As well as collecting members' views at the Green Paper Summit in March, there has been a survey on NAHT's website and there is to be a Focus Group Meeting in London on Thursday 9th June. from 10.30-3pm. If you haven't already been in touch and would like your.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=463 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 10:08:57 GMT 20110601100857 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 10:08:57 GMT 20110601100857 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 10:45:04 GMT 2011060110104504 By close of play at the end of June, the consultation on The Green Paper, Support and aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability, had received 2,300 responses. NAHT made a very full submission, thanks to comments from the National Executive, the SEN Committee, and many of you who wrote in. Speaking at a Capita Conference on 11th July, Phil Snell, Assistant Director of the SEND Department at the DfE, said the headline messages from the responses.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=479 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:24:25 GMT 20110801092425 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:24:25 GMT 20110801092425 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:24:54 GMT 201108010992454 As I write, the first few Special Academies have opened, to be followed by several more currently in the pipeline. From next September, the first Special Free Schools and Alternative Provisions are due to open, adding yet more diversity to a colourful patchwork of schools. Whether this variety improves outcomes may depend partly on how different types of provision are able to maintain, and even increase, their links with other schools, settings and services. The pathfinders to take.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=493 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:59:02 GMT 20111003105902 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:59:02 GMT 20111003105902 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:59:02 GMT 2011100310105902 I hope you're feeling refreshed by the half-term break (if you've had one) and ready to get to grips with the intricacies of our legislative system, including an amendment and a consultation, both with a SEND focus. Although there was already some concern that there was a mismatch between the SEND Green Paper pathfinders being given 2 years to find out what works, while legislation was due to be implemented from next April, the latest development is that the government is.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=500 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:21:52 GMT 20111031142152 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:21:52 GMT 20111031142152 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:22:28 GMT 201110311422228 Since last month's Blog, the NAHT has joined with other Unions in voting to strike for the first time in its long and illustrious history; the Education Bill that grew out of the white paper, The Importance of Teaching, has become an Act, Ofsted's Annual Report has been published by Miriam Rosen, who has been keeping the seat warm between one departing CHMI and the arrival of the next, and the first special and alternative provision Free Schools have been granted permission.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=508 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:52:04 GMT 20111130155204 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:52:04 GMT 20111130155204 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:52:36 GMT 201111301535236 Welcome to another year of frenetic activity on the policy front. Last year saw the opening of the first Special Academies and this year heralds the start of Special and Alternative Provision Free Schools. Time will tell how these developments contribute to wider opportunities and increased provision for pupils with SEND. As the government's follow up to the SEND Green Paper, (which seems to be suffering from the same amount of slippage as the Green Paper itself),.... http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/comment/blogs/special-needs-blog/?blogpost=523 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:53:00 GMT 20120130095300 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:53:00 GMT 20120130095300 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:54:39 GMT 201201300995439