How is Ofsted supporting & evaluating SEND provision during the pandemic?
The education fo children with SEND (or lack of it) during the pandemic has been on our minds all year. How can we make schools and LAs accountable for ensuring …
Category: Coronavirus
We need more awareness that pandemic life is far from an equal experience
“It’s life, Jim, but not as we know it”… the Star Trek (mis)quote sums up 2020 for most people. Even if your family has escaped a serious coronavirus infection or, …
Ofsted: Disabled children “seriously affected in both care and education” during pandemic
Ofsted’s second report looking at how the pandemic has impacted children’s education and wellbeing has added more weight to existing evidence showing huge disparities in the experience of children during …
Coronavirus Lockdown 2.0: What does it mean for disabled children?
Welcome to Coronavirus Lockdown 2.0. I don’t know about you, but 2020 has seemed like a nightmare you can’t quite wake up from. Just when you think you have, you’re …
Coronavirus guidance: What mainstream settings should do to ensure the inclusion of disabled children
with Lorraine Petersen OBE, Educational Consultant Trying to keep up with the government’s latest coronavirus education guidance can seem like a full-time occupation. There is guidance for schools for re-opening …
Introducing Oak National Academy’s new online specialist curriculum
It’s been an academic year like no other, but I think we can all agree that teachers and families have done an exceptional job supporting children during school closures. With …
Ofsted/CQC SEND inspectors dropping by soon, but in learning mode
It seems like a lifetime ago now – but there was a time when local SEND services were subjected to at least some external accountability. Ofsted & the Care Quality …
The scandal of the children with complex needs told they’re not welcome back at school
While schools opened to welcome children back last week, we have been hearing disturbing reports who have complex medical needs have been told to stay away. These children need support …
Left stranded: the impact of coronavirus on autistic people and families in the UK
with Jane Harris, Director of External Affairs at the National Autistic Society Coronavirus has had a negative impact on every section of society, but none more than the disabled and …
Explaining the inexplicable: why the government won the SEND coronavirus judicial review (round one)
Earlier this month, the High Court heard the case of a family who brought a judicial review against the government, claiming that the Coronavirus Act downgrading of legal duties for …
SNJ in Conversation: Oak Academy’s improving SEND offer
One of the few positives of the pandemic and lockdown, was the creation of the Oak Academy resource, an online suite of lessons created by a group of volunteer teachers. …
Coronavirus and SEND Education: 75% of schools ignored Government risk assessment guidance during the lockdown
During most of June 2020, Special Needs Jungle offered a survey of to our readers, to ask them about some of the aspects of support their children with special educational …
Identifying SEND in the Early Years: Partnership and collaboration is key
with Dr Helen Curran senior lecturer in SEN at Bath Spa University, The earlier a special educational need is identified in a child, the better their chances are of achieving …
SEND in schools 2019-2020: It’s just so depressing
The school census figures for SEND have just been published for 2019-2020. Before we get to that, I want to draw your attention to the new department for Education guidance …
SEND risk assessments and preparing for a return to school (or not)
*August update: EHCPs are now back in full force and all children are expected back in school in September. However, some schools are still using stringent risk assessments and updated …
SNJ Survey: Tell us about your disabled child’s education during Coronavirus
We’ve decided to create a quick survey to find out how families have been getting on while home educating and how the changes to EHCP duties and timescales have affected …
SNJ In Conversation: What legal rights do disabled children have left under the Coronavirus Act?
In Conversation with Steve Broach, public law barrister We wouldn’t normally churn out another episode of In Conversation so quickly, as it’s quite a big undertaking to produce. But with …
Shots fired! Secretary of State in legal challenge over SEND Coronavirus changes
The relaxation to the duties on LAs to make the provision in EHCPs has left disabled children without the legal protection to ensure an adequate education. But a parent has taken the steps to challenge this.
Coronavirus: Managing risk to get our special school ready for reintegration
with Ian Thorsteinsson, Principal, Gretton School, Cambridge The Government has confirmed it is pressing ahead with its plans to reopen schools for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 cohorts from …
Dear Prime Minister, not all education in lockdown is equal
A letter to the PM from Lilia, a year 10 pupil who believes that not all education in lockdown is equal and it is time the government recognised the possible consequences for pupils taking important exams next year.