Training teachers in SEND

There are some incredible teachers, support professionals and leaders whose schools/settings are inclusive, the boundaries are clear and kindness never means a lack of ambition. In these environments training and development in all areas of additional needs falls on rich foundations.

Inclusion

In settings where there is more fear, more focus on compliance than connection and where inclusivity is conditional, things are different. SEND training feels at odds with the values. No excuses, super strict, zero tolerance systems don’t scream inclusion. They find excuses not to make reasonable adjustments and assume additional needs can be punished away. Despite odd people on social media trying to claim that exclusion is inclusion. Orwell would be proud.

Leadership

It is hard to train someone well, even with the best materials and biscuits, if the teacher next door is throwing out the fidgety ones. Or if SLT patrol boothed rooms full of children who are ‘on their way out ‘. Or the parents are given the idea that ‘your child is too tricky and would be better off at the school down the road’.

I hope the new SEND White Paper showers exceptionally good training on all adults supporting the child. I worry that how effective it is will depend on the environment and culture it lands in.

The key to real change for the child is well funded properly fully inclusive mainstream schools. Trouble is, a load of training is so much cheaper.