News

FutureLearn, the online social learning platform owned by The Open University, is partnering with the world's leading human rights organisation, Amnesty International, to provide a free online course introducing learners to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

The announcement of the partnership and co-created online course, Defending Dignity: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, comes on the day of the 70th anniversary of the revolutionary document being signed.

When you visit the stunning, eco-friendly, 40 acre campus on the Dorset/Hampshire border it becomes apparent why this college is a first choice for parents and young adults with special educational needs.

Individual buildings linked by natural pathways through green open spaces and woodland give a sense of calm and wellbeing. Exclusive onsite facilities include a gym hall, heated indoor swimming pool, kitchen garden and purpose-built therapy building offering onsite specialist input from occupational, physiotherapy as well as complementary therapies such as massage, music and art.

Shaw Education Trust uses innovative approach to raising student aspirations with a key stage 3 awards ceremony. 

Students from across the Shaw Education Trust and their parents were invited to an Exceptional Achievement Awards Ceremony to celebrate the achievements of students who have shown progression in their performance.

Chief Executive Officer of the Trust, Jo Morgan, utilised her speech to inspire students saying: “You are here because you had the courage and confidence to reach for the stars- to live your dreams and work hard for your success.

“Education is the pathway to enable freedom, choice and independence. Whether you want to be a brain surgeon, astronaut, nuclear physicist or leader of the UN, the power you have is in your hands.”

Dr Margot Sunderland, Director of the Centre for Child Mental Health(CCMH) and Co-Director of Trauma Informed Schools UK– discusses the key components of a mentally healthy school. 

We have health and safety policies for children’s bodies in our schools – so why don’t we have health and safety policies for children’s minds? We have all the evidence we need on the adult-child relationship experiences that cause mental health problems and those that heal. 

Special needs pupils at a local primary school hit the road in their brand new minibus, from Variety Sunshine Coach, – hours after it was presented to them by Canary Wharf Contractors Fund (​CWCF), its generous donor.

Alison Helm, headteacher of North Beckton Primary School was handed the keys to the minibus by Tom Kelly, Head of Construction Operations, during a special ceremony, at the school, last Friday.

CWCF joined forces with Variety, the Children’s Charity to secure the school’s new minibus, which is officially known as a Variety Sunshine Coach.

Ms Helm said:

Future Fit Training partners with Fit for Sport to offer an industry leading Children’s Fitness Qualification

Future Fit Training has joined forces with Fit for Sport - UK experts in educating and engaging children and young people through physical activity - to offer an exclusive Children’s Fitness Qualification – the first of its kind to include a nutritional module as a standard. A leading provider of quality assured fitness courses in Personal Training, Pilates and Nutrition, the course from Future Fit has been established in response to rising childhood obesity levels across the country.

Ever since the Carter Review of Initial Teacher Training in 2015, which reminded us that “good teaching for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) is good teaching for all children”, practitioners and policy-makers have highlighted the variability in coverage of SEND in Initial Teacher Training (ITT) in this country. 

A new report released on Outdoor Classroom Day proves the importance of getting outdoors on children’s mental health and environmental awareness. Outdoor Classroom Day is a world-wide campaign which calls on millions of children around the world to get outdoors and prioritise outdoor learning and play.

This year, over 530,000 children across the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI) will be ditching their desks for the school grounds in support of the global initiative. 

Taking multi-sensory teaching outside the classroom develops literacy and life skills whilst having fun, says Neil Mears, a SEND teacher at St Philips School.

One thing I know beyond a shadow of a doubt is that, as a teacher, I need to teach the student, not just the subject. 

This is true for all children, but it’s a particularly pertinent point for those working towards, or at, Entry Level 1.