The joys of joint working; sharing specialisms to meet need in schools
Over the course of the autumn term, Education North Tyneside's Language and Communication Specialist Teaching Team and the Educational Psychology Service have had the privilege of working together.
They jointly devised and delivered a targeted programme of training aimed at strengthening both teacher and support staff knowledge and confidence in planning and adapting approaches within their individual settings to best meet the needs of their learners.
Meeting the needs of our learners
Education North Tyneside’s ongoing commitment to our excellent existing, and the development of new, Additionally Resourced Provisions across the borough has created some real opportunities to better meet the needs of many of our children and young people with language and communication needs, social, emotional and mental health needs and Moderate Learning Difficulties, through ensuring the ongoing professional development and support of staff in the schools where they are based.
Thought-provoking training
On the 10th of November, the first of four training sessions, ‘Understanding and supporting a sense of safety’ brought together 54 delegates, representing 11 settings (primary, secondary and high schools), allowing established and those with newly commissioned provisions to meet and share their own knowledge and experience.
Following the event, attendees said they were given ‘Food for thought for engaging with learners.’
The blend of theory and practical suggestions had the practitioners clearly reflecting on their own roles, having gained ‘more insight on my practice and… ideas on to approach things a little differently’, as well as the recognising the need for, and benefit of, sharing good practice across the whole of their settings.
Upcoming training for schools
Three further sessions have been developed and will be delivered in the coming weeks:
- Exploring the importance of language in the ARP environment
- Communication and Interaction: Building and supporting relationships
- Executive Functioning, Attentional Styles, and Practical Mediation Strategies.
Again, the training aims to give attendees the time, space and opportunity to consider the needs and profiles of their current and future cohort and explore and share evidence- based, best practice to better inform the implementation of strategies and approaches.
Our ongoing commitment
Following the initial training offer, both services will continue to work with each ARP and host school to identify key priorities and support areas for further development for their individual setting, as well as facilitate work between the network of ARPS, to build confidence and empower all school staff to support their learners to thrive.
How can we support your school?
Get in touch if you'd like to know more about the work of our Language and Communication Specialist Teaching Team and the Educational Psychology Service.
Article by
Megan Maddison
Autism Lead and Specialist Teacher
Language and Communication Team
