Major Overhaul of SEND Teacher Training Launches: A Game Changer for Inclusive Education

Teachers across England are set to receive enhanced training to better support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This initiative marks the beginning of the most extensive teacher training programme in a generation, aimed at fostering inclusivity within educational settings.

Innovative Training Materials Now Available

Developed by the Ambition Institute, renowned for its educational expertise, the new training resources are designed to be both free and adaptable. Schools and post-16 institutions can utilise these practical materials throughout the academic year, or during designated training days, allowing for flexibility in implementation.

The focus on inclusion will be central to every classroom and workshop, equipping teachers with effective strategies such as simplifying instructions into manageable steps, introducing specialist vocabulary early, and allowing time for students to practice these skills.

Additionally, online training tailored for early years staff has been created by Dingley’s Promise, an early years charity. This training will assist educators in employing age-appropriate inclusive practices from the outset, including the use of visual timetables to aid transitions and modifying environments to minimise disruptive noise, which can hinder communication and emotional regulation.

Transforming Support for SEND Students

The launch of these training materials is part of a larger £200 million investment by the government aimed at revolutionising support for children and young people with SEND. This initiative seeks to eliminate the disparities in support that have often left families struggling to access necessary resources.

Georgia Gould, Minister for School Standards, emphasised the importance of quality teaching in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to flourish, regardless of their needs. She acknowledged the feedback from educators and families regarding the necessity for increased investment in teacher training, stating, “We are backing staff with the tools to spot and support additional needs from the earliest years, making sure all children and young people feel included.”

A recent survey revealed that one in three teachers expressed a desire for further training on supporting students with SEND. Concurrently, a quarter of teaching assistants indicated that insufficient training was a significant barrier to providing effective support to these pupils. The government plans to address these concerns with additional resources set to be released in January and April of the following year, followed by fully funded training courses available from September.

Fostering a Pathway for Every Child

This training initiative aligns with the government’s broader objective to ensure that every child has a clear pathway to success, regardless of their background or specific needs. Research indicates that young people with SEND are approximately 80% more likely to be Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) compared to their peers, underscoring the necessity for timely and appropriate support.

Claire Heywood, Vice Principal at Kidderminster College, highlighted the strength of the materials in embedding inclusive practices within high-quality teaching. She noted that these resources are particularly pertinent for vocational and technical learning, emphasising learner independence and preparation for adulthood. The practical approaches provided are designed for immediate application in classrooms, benefiting all learners.

Commitment to Inclusive Education

Hilary Spencer, Chief Executive of Ambition Institute, remarked on the importance of ensuring that every child feels included and is able to reach their potential. “Our aim throughout has been to create practical, adaptable materials that help teachers and support staff to respond to a wide range of needs and strengthen their inclusive teaching practice,” she stated.

Catherine Mole, CEO of Dingley’s Promise, expressed enthusiasm for leading this crucial training programme, which aims to empower early years educators to support children with SEND confidently and at no cost. She stressed the significance of early years education and its impact on lifelong outcomes, encouraging all early years settings to engage with the training to foster a comprehensive approach to inclusion.