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In this article, recent legislative changes that have raised the profile of SENCos in English schools are outlined. Key aspects of the current Government's proposals to reform SEND policy, provision and practice and the possible implications of these for SENCos and the schools they work in are discussed. The view that radical reforms outlined in Support and Aspiration, the SEND Green Paper published in 2011, will benefit the majority of children and young people experiencing difficulties in learning who are taught in mainstream schools is questioned. The article also reflects on whether or not SENCos will need to use their purportedly enhanced status to mitigate the effects of policies that could lead to the needs of some pupils being unmet, and others being marginalised through an expansion of separate forms of provision. Perennial concerns of many SENCos are also identified, and it is argued that these too need addressing if they are to fulfil the pivotal strategic role envisaged for them and avoid having to work as SEND 'firefighters'. It is suggested that these concerns could be addressed through a review of the SENCo regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we examine different aspects of the inclusion debate, including how it has been shaped by the political context in England over the past 30 years. We then give consideration to the key argument that has dominated the inclusion agenda over the last decade: should effective inclusion be considered only as placement in mainstream school settings, or can one consider inclusion in a specialist placement as successful? Research studies examining the views of children, parents and teaching staff are also discussed. Consideration is given as to whether a 'universalist' view of inclusion (in which special schools should not be offered) is one that is feasible and desirable. The key arguments highlighted include those relating to 'quality' in education, academic and social inclusion, human rights, parental choice and teachers' attitudes and skills. The role of some professional groups in supporting inclusion, such as educational psychologists ( EPs) and Special Educational Needs Coordinators ( SENCos), is also examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Educators usually recognise the value of drama‐in‐education, but hesitate to use it with unpredictable diverse groups that have limited communication and social understanding. This article evaluates a professional development initiative in an all‐age special school (3–19 years) in eastern England as a whole‐school improvement strategy to promote drama for enhancing children's communication through dialogic teaching. The project was the culmination of an action research cycle to refine an original constructivist five‐staged professional developmental model for teaching inclusive groups with children with special educational needs and disabilities. Following a staff training session, the researcher supported each teacher in class once a week for 6 weeks, using collegial mentoring strategies. The model enabled their starting point and priority next step to be accurately identified towards them gradually taking over leading drama sessions. A pedagogical framework for early drama – Prescribed Drama Structures – proved pivotal, enhanced by a flexible model for exploring story and understanding social narrative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For decades, the school exclusion rates have been a cause for concern within the English education system. We have witnessed a steady increase in the numbers of pupils being excluded since 2012. Evidence suggests that some children are more likely to be excluded from school, a significant number will have had the social, emotional and behavioural difficulties label attached to them. This article will draw on the work of Parsons and Howlett (Permanent exclusions from school: A case where society is failing its children. Support for Learning, 11, 3, 109–112, 1996) to see how much, if any, progress has been made since the publication of their work which raised concerns regarding the exclusion processes employed in England. Drawing on the perspectives of pupils, parents and teachers, 13 in‐depth case studies were developed, with emphasis placed on employing innovative and creative methods to hear the voices of young people. The findings revealed that young people, their parents and teachers feel the current education system continues to fail this group of young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inclusion 'ideal' is one which has been both celebrated and maligned. It paved the way for equality; but also, out of its diversity sprang many misconceptions and concerns for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It is within this maelstrom of difficulty that the Special Educational Needs Co‐ordinator (SENCo) role is placed, so that those undertaking the position of SENCo face numerous barriers in the pursuit of providing effectively for children with SEND. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with fifteen SENCos employed at mainstream primary schools within the North West of England. Findings revealed conflict between how SENCos viewed their role and responsibilities, and the expectations that they perceived to be placed on them by parents of children with SEND and mainstream colleagues. This study brings to the fore the complexities of the role of the SENCo, and the continuing demands placed on these practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article forms part of a Masters Inclusive Education research project. Whilst most inclusive research focuses on a marginalised group, my research participants would not normally be deemed marginalised. Nevertheless, they have a pivotal role within the English mainstream education system to promote inclusive practice, improving outcomes for the most vulnerable young people. For this reason, I intend to explore the role of three Special Educational Needs Co‐ordinators (SENCOs) post 2015 reforms and firmly believe this is fundamentally inclusive research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giving parents a choice with regard to their children's education has been central to the political discourse of school reform at least since the 1988 Education Reform Act ( ERA). With regard to children with a Statement of special educational needs ( SSEN), a plethora of policies and laws have given parents the right not only to choose a school, but also to appeal to decisions in the best interest of their children. Yet, despite the discourse of school choice, the implementation and practice of such reforms is neither assured nor simple. Participants in this study indicated that they have little choice of suitable provision and are having to compromise either the academic or the social aspects of their child's schooling. This article argues that for many parents whose children have a Statement of SEN, the choice of a school is often a dilemma, as 'nowhere seems to fit'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article details the emergence of a training framework to support professional development in inclusive Movement teaching. This arose from a collaborative research project in spring 2008 (supported by the Training and Development Agency, UK), between two universities in England and Israel. Movement education is surprisingly underused globally, even in the early years, with some recent revival within special education. This is despite the long-recognised importance of interactive physical activity for underpinning children's development, and particularly for those with special educational needs, supported by findings from neuro-science. The training framework falls within a hermeneutic view of the teacher informed by humanistic psychology and reflective practice, with Movement seen as an empowering, creative and dialogic pedagogy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dyslexia support is likely to be in place for students within educational establishments in England. However, there are a significant number of adults with dyslexia in the English workplace who are no longer involved in education and for whom ongoing support is necessary to enable them to reach their potential in a world of increasing literacy demands. Legislation has led to significant moves towards inclusion in the English workplace, but there has been a lack of public recognition of the concerns and needs articulated by adults with this invisible disability. The formation of local voluntary groups provides one model of support for adults with dyslexia. This article examines the setting up of one such group and highlights issues involved in this process. The nature of the group structure and the support offered is discussed, including its impact on the individuals concerned. Finally, the author makes recommendations for stakeholders in the inclusion of adults with dyslexia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on aspects of policy and provision for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) who attend special schools in England. The findings reported below are from a larger study, which aimed to answer the question: ‘Who Goes to SLD Schools in England?’ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an interesting example of inter-agency collaboration, researchers from Nottingham Trent University and Nottingham City Hospital here use a case study to shed light on some of the peer relationship issues and the support needs of young people with medical conditions. They consider that the concerns raised by the case study suggest schools need to address these proactively rather than reactively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Numeracy Recovery scheme described here involves working with children who have been identified by their teachers as having problems with arithmetic. These children are assessed on eight components of early numeracy: (1) principles and procedures related to counting; (2) use of written arithmetical symbolism; (3) use of place value in arithmetic; (4) understanding and solution of word problems; (5) translation between concrete, verbal and numerical formats; (6) use of derived fact strategies for calculation; (7) arithmetical estimation and (8) memory for number facts. The children received weekly individual intervention in the particular components with which they were found to have difficulty. For the first 62 children in the project, Wilcoxon tests showed a significant improvement in standardised scores in both tests following intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following on from the issues raised by the authors of the previous two articles on aspects of teacher and learning support assistant training, this study of Rosemary Tootill and Bob Spalding illustrates tellingly just how great is the need of children and their teachers for skills in the understanding and management of emotional and behavioural difficulties. The authors track the progress of a reintegration initiative in one special school from 1994-1998 and establish that, with skilled support and positive attitudes, there has been a six-fold increase in the number of pupils returning to mainstream since 1994. Key issues in the implementation of the programme are investigated and analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]