Practical advice
Articles for everyday school life
Practical guides for SENCos, teachers and TAs.
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Autism and neurodiversityStart with the individual pupil’s communication, predictability and sensory needs rather than a standard autism checklist.ADHD and executive functioningDistinguish knowing the content from starting, organising and sustaining the task.Literacy: reading, spelling and writingChoose support by identifying whether the barrier is decoding, fluency, language comprehension or written expression.Mathematics and mathematical reasoningFind where understanding breaks down before increasing the amount of practice.Speech, language and communicationMake classroom language accessible while teaching the communication skills the pupil needs.Cognition and learningReduce unnecessary mental demands while teaching knowledge and strategies explicitly.Emotional wellbeing and regulationSupport emotional safety and participation, and make the route to help clear.Behaviour and underlying needDescribe what happens and teach a workable alternative rather than relying on a label.Sensory and physical needsMake school activities accessible and coordinate adjustments with existing specialist advice.Independence and self-helpTeach a routine the pupil can use, then reduce the help that is no longer needed.Attendance and transitionsBuild a plan around the specific barrier to entering, staying in or moving through school.Inclusion, friendships and belongingMeasure whether a pupil is meaningfully included, rather than simply present beside others.SENCo practice and the graduated responseConnect assessment, provision and impact in a plan that staff can actually deliver.EHCPs and statutory processesKeep evidence of needs, specified provision and its delivery clear, current and connected.Teaching, interventions and TA supportDefine what additional teaching should change, then check learning beyond the intervention session.