The magic and joy of Christmas, following traditions and making them special for your students and their parents. So many learning opportunities to be found in these activities.Par Lottie Andrews

Music is universal in it's appeal, simple percussion instruments are very accessible making drumming a very inclusive activity and a way of teaching new skills and creating great memories.Par Lottie Andrews

The importance of using visual aids in SEND settings and having system that is best fit for everyone. Understanding that a visual aid can be anything from the real thing to a rather obscure symbol.Par Lottie Andrews

A perfect activity for any group, any ability, 1 to 1 or large group, any age! No planning and lots of learning. An activity that is fun, creative and all that is required is some good tin foil!Par Lottie Andrews

How a leisurely Arts and Craft lesson can lead to many other teaching opportunities in a lovely calm inclusive environment.Par Lottie Andrews

Sometimes as a teacher one of your students will teach you more than you teach them. this was the case with the unforgettable James. I am honoured to have his mum as a guest in this episode where she gives valuable insights into her world as parent of autistic twins. She reminds us that it is ok to be different and to look for joy. We reflect on so…

Teaching and working in classrooms can be very exhausting and stressful. This episode gives a few reminders of how to best help yourself manage this.Par Lottie Andrews

This episode is about the benefits of walking. Simplicity in its self, inclusive, inexpensive and brilliant for physical and mental health of students and staff.Par Lottie Andrews

A discussion about how the state of arousal or what level of regulation a student has can massively impact their behaviour and learning. some tips on how to manage this.Par Lottie Andrews

This episode looks at how to manage challenging, often aggressive behaviour, if you are smaller and less strong than a student in crisis.Par Lottie Andrews

The first episode of Series 2, welcome back after the summer holiday! In this episode I talk about how to prepare your staff and room to make a great learning environment, laying the foundations for a great school year.Par Lottie Andrews

In this episode I chat to a friend who came as a volunteer, then became a Dinner Lady, then a Teaching Assistant and then went to university qualifying as a teacher. We chat about her first year as a teacher of the early years in a special needs school. With some helps and tips for both new teachers and managers. This is the last episode in Series …

This episode follows on from the previous episode and we discuss successful inclusion of the students with the highest need for support.Par Lottie Andrews

A rare insight into this group of students from a former member of the school nursing team. It is an uplifting episode and her love and passion for her work really shine through!Par Lottie Andrews

Looking at ways to deal with students bringing in precious things to school that may cause problems.Par Lottie Andrews

When problems arise in class that you are struggling to resolve how best to approach a manager - some dos and don'ts!Par Lottie Andrews

How to make reading engaging, age-appropriate and fun for secondary age students with severe learning difficulties.Par Lottie Andrews

If your school has a hydro therapy pool make it a priority to book it as a weekly session. This episode I chat with a young teacher about managing a warm water session and the huge benefits of these very inclusive, joyful sessions.Par Lottie Andrews

Recording is an important part of the teacher's job. Here I talk about how to make it workable and how new digital recording programmes designed for mainstream don't really fit special needs and can massively increase the teacher's workload.Par Lottie Andrews

Visiting a cafe with a group of SEND students, is brilliant for real life skills, inclusive and enjoyable and can cover many cross curricular targets.Par Lottie Andrews

Planning to spend part of every day outside of the class room, how simple activities outside of the class room can give opportunities for learning, assessment and fun. Short periods of time can break up the day and refresh everyone.Par Lottie Andrews

Chatting with another teacher about how to manage students who like to fight with each other.Par Lottie Andrews

Nat's mum talks about his primary school years. Nat has a diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism and attended both a main stream primary school and a special school. Lots of valuable insights and lovely stories.Par Lottie Andrews

Nat is a 27 year old young man with Down syndrome, in this episode I chat to his mum about his early years up to school. During this time he was also diagnosed with Autism. I feel it is a very uplifting and joyous story and makes interesting listening to anyone who works with SEND children or knows a SEND child. Personally and professionally I lear…

Some useful tips on developing your game face!Par Lottie Andrews

So many SEND students have issues around food and eating that a good dinner time is vital to the rest of the student's day. This episode explores ways to make dinner time run smoothly and be enjoyable for the dinner ladies. it touches on a multi disciplinary approach to support students.Par Lottie Andrews

This episode looks at how a very successful mini business developed from teaching real life skills. A project that can be done with a full range of SEND students as a group or as individuals. Turning Friday mornings into the students and staff's favourite morning.Par Lottie Andrews

I have experienced so much joy during fairly chaotic moments and this short episode is about making chaos work for you and the the students and creating fun. Students learn when having fun!Par Lottie Andrews

Teaching and supporting SEND students can be at times a very tough job, it is really important to acknowledge special moments, make memories and celebrate achievements.Par Lottie Andrews

"How do I teach National Curriculum Academic Subjects to my SEND students who are not able to read, write or speak?" is a question I am asked so many times! Here are a few ideas that I found worked well whilst addressing the students real need.Par Lottie Andrews

What does this mean and how can that differ from student to student. With some tips and stories on how to manage it.Par Lottie Andrews

When you find yourself alone with an SEND group and need to keep everyone happy and safe activities and tips.Par Karen Muskett

A huge part of a SEND teachers job is managing Teaching Assistants, for which they have very little if any training. This is a chat about how best to do this.Par Karen Muskett

This episode talks about how children and young people can arrive in school already stressed and unable to learn until they have calmed. How to recognise this and how to help them calm down.Par Karen Muskett