We look ahead to the Education Show at Birmingham NEC in March 2012
2011 has seen major changes in the SEN and disabilities landscape; the 2010 government consultation preceded the SEN Green Paper in March 2011, whilst changes to the Ofsted framework mean that information and guidance is crucial for all practitioners. The recent changes also highlight the importance of training for improving outcomes for children with SEN and disabilities.
In response to the demand for information and training, the Education Show 2012 will host a targeted SEN continuing professional development (CPD) programme. The show, which takes place from 15 to 17 March, will host free SENCO training from nasen, developed in partnership with the Schools Network and leading SENCOs. The training is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and will run alongside the show’s CPD accredited SEN seminar programme for all practitioners, entitled Learn Live SEN. The one-day sessions at the show will provide a high quality SEN training package for SENCOs in order to equip them with the tools to disseminate training to their school workforce as whole school professional development.
Lorraine Petersen (OBE), CEO of nasen, believes that training has a fundamental role to play in meeting the needs of vulnerable young people. She explains: “Robust training is needed for all teaching staff in order to ensure that vulnerable young people are given the best possible start in life. The UK has some of the most passionate and committed SEN practitioners and nasen works hard to support them, developing guidance and a framework to ensure that this expertise can be shared collaboratively with schools across the country.”
Anita Pal, exhibition director for the Education Show at Emap Connect sees the importance of providing a platform for leading experts to share their experiences and knowledge: “Education is facing a sea-change, which puts information, guidance and skills at a premium. We want the Education Show to help SENCOs, school leaders and teachers to discover the most effective SEN teaching practices.”
The nasen training will take place on each day of the show, from 9.30am to 3.30pm, with lunch and coffee breaks. Delegates will each receive a comprehensive training pack, a disc containing all resources used and discussed on the day with guidance on the new Ofsted framework. Places are limited to 50 per day and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, with delegates offered instant access to the show floor after the training.
In addition to the nasen training, the Education Show features many other CPD sessions as part of the Learn Live SEN seminar programme. The targeted sessions address different areas of SEN, offering practitioners an invaluable source of free, certified CPD.
Effective practice and techniques will help teachers to meet the needs of all pupils and Dr Glenys Jones, lecturer at the University of Birmingham, examines effective methodology for autistic pupils in her seminar on Thursday 15 March at 10am. Dr Jones will look at the growing consensus on how the needs of children with autism are best addressed.
Numeracy is the focus for a seminar from lecturer and author Dr Steve Chinn, who will examine “Mathematics Learning Difficulties and Dyscalculia” in his seminar on Thursday 15 March at 12pm. Noting that the bottom quartile of performers in maths are often overlooked, Dr Chinn will look at the way maths is taught, considering how maths can be presented in ways that enhance understanding and learning.
Meanwhile, Friday at 3pm sees behaviour take centre stage with a seminar from Dr Faizal Moosa, Associate Specialist Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with Birmingham Children's Hospital CAMHS. Focusing on educational interventions and teaching strategies, Dr Moosa’s session will discuss the need for better awareness, understanding and management of children and young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
As the UK’s largest showcase of educational resources, examples of best practice and free training opportunities, the Education Show also enables teachers, SENCOs, school leaders and local authority staff to make best value procurement decisions. The show offers visitors the opportunity to compare and test thousands of resources and services to improve outcomes for SEN pupils. The SEN Zone is a dedicated area where visitors can find specialist educational providers for SEN and inclusion, with the SEN Information Point hosted by nasen, who can provide advice to school leaders on the implications of changing policy for their schools and pupils.
The UK has a number of specialist associations that exist to help support specific educational needs and the Education Show brings many of these thought leaders together, enabling practitioners to get advice and guidance across a number of topics. Led by nasen, these associations can provide practitioners with advice, resources, inspiration and help with procurement schemes, building collaborative links and sharing best practice.
On stand J98, OAASIS, the Office for Advice, Assistance, Support and Information on Special Needs, is the free impartial SEN information service of Cambian Group. OAASIS offer workshops and advice on a wide range of issues, including understanding a new diagnosis, help when things are going wrong at home and/or school, the SEN process, finding legal advice, looking for an appropriate special school or college and where to find training or exhibitions. Visitors to the stand can pick up free information sheets and speak to staff about any issues they may have.
2011 was the Year of Communication and the Communication Trust, on stand K93, is a solid source of advice for all practitioners. The purpose of the Trust is to raise awareness of the importance of speech, language and communication across the children’s workforce, offering access to the best training and expertise to support all children’s communication needs.
The Autism Education Trust (AET), stand H100, is also an ideal source of advice for practitioners. The only umbrella organisation working specifically on autism education across the voluntary, public and private sectors, the AET is a partnership of organisations with an interest in autism and works to improve education for children with autism.
The Education Show is free to attend and takes place from Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 March 2012 at the NEC Birmingham. For further information about the show, nasen training, exhibitors and seminars and to register, please visit:
www.education-show.com quoting priority code EPR3.