School Leaders

As the foundation for accessing the curriculum and engaging with learning, there is no doubt that reading will be an important part of the recovery curriculum over the coming months. But, how can you ensure you have effective resources and routines in place in your classroom to support children returning to learning.

This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, it is important to recognise that we actually have a powerful wellbeing tool readily available within our classrooms and homes in the form of books! Books provide a world of opportunity for children to escape from their worries and learn to deal with complicated situations and emotions; in uncertain times they can also help children feel less alone.

Following a long period out of the classroom, many children may have taken a step backwards in literacy learning but, music, the world’s first and most popular language could help fill the gaps. In her recent article, dyslexia specialist tutor and assessor Dr Anne Margaret Smith, who has previously taught English for 30 years in Kenya, Germany, Sweden, and the UK, explains why music offers a fun and stress-free way to get these children back on track with their reading.

As the Recovery Curriculum is implemented in schools, how can all students be supported within their ‘bubbles’, to ensure that they don’t get left behind? In their recent article, Pamela Hanigan and Rachel Gelder, founders of Lancashire Dyslexia Information Guidance and Support (LDIGS), discuss how schools can build targeted interventions into classroom bubbles.

Despite affecting around 10% to 15% of the population and being the highest incidence learning difference, Dyslexia is still perhaps of one the most misunderstood. Indeed, when we see statistics or hear discussions relating to the learning difference they all too often focus on dyslexia as an educational barrier and a challenge. Looking towards this years’ Dyslexia Awareness Week, it is important to recognise that Dyslexia is not a disadvantage but simply a different way of processing and interpreting information. 

We know that finding out what level Year 7 pupils are working at will be harder than ever this September! Children will be entering secondary school without SAT scores or full details about their Year 6 attainment. By launching a secondary school version of our assessment, we can help provide an accurate view of students’ level of reading and comprehension in minutes and identify which of these children will need additional support as soon as they return to the classroom.

Picture a child in your classroom who is new to English, brimming with ideas, ready to learn and desperate to join in, yet lacking the words they need to fully engage with their learning. This child and many others like them may have joined your class halfway through the year, and now it’s your job to unlock their potential and give them a flying start to their learning journey. It’s a challenging scenario, and one faced by schools up and down the country. So what can you do to make a positive difference to EAL pupils whether they stay for six months or six years?

This Summer Term, teachers across the country have worked harder than ever before trying to maintain a high level of teaching in the face of school closures and the COVID-19 pandemic! As the end of this challenging term approaches, many teachers, parents and children alike will be looking forward to a well-deserved rest over the holidays.

Encouraging a love of reading is hugely beneficial for all pupils, including those with SEND. But it requires the space and the time to focus on books! How can schools create and drive a reading culture? Aimee Cave, SENCo and assistant head explains how they are achieving it in their school…