Online Course now available via Teachable Platform – How do People Learn? Learn at your own pace… with text and videos to support your learning experience. Inclusive Education: Neurodiversity Course Presented by Inclusive Solutions About This Course: Designed for educators, psychologists, and teachers, this course offers an immersive experience in inclusive education strategies specifically for neurodivergent children. Two leading experts—Dennis Rollins MBE, celebrated trombonist and teacher, and Colin Newton, an experienced inclusive educational psychologist—will guide you through practical approaches and proven techniques to improve inclusive education. Key Benefits of the Course: Understand learning processes tailored to neurodivergent students with learning differences. Explore dominant psychological models of learning and their practical, real-world applications. Participate in engaging, hands-on activities to reinforce inclusive teaching strategies. Gain strategies to foster motivation, confidence, and a sense of autonomy in learners Meet the Instructors: Dennis Rollins MBE Dennis Rollins MBE is a renowned trombone player and award-winning educator with over three decades of experience. Known for his unique approach, Dennis has collaborated with top artists worldwide and has received prestigious awards for both performance and jazz education. Some of Dennis’ recognised lifetime achievements are as follows: Worked with artists such as Jamiroquai, Courtney Pine, Maceo Parker, The Brand New Heavies, Blur, US3 and Monty Alexander. Won BBC Best Band with Badbone & Co, 2006. Trombonist of the Year, British Jazz Awards and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards, 2007. X2 nominated in the 2008 Parliamentary Jazz Awards: Musician of the Year and Jazz Education, winning the latter category. JazzYorkshire Award Best Band for his band Velocity Trio, 2012. British Trombone Society (BTS) Player of the year Award, 2013. Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, 2022. Recently honoured with an MBE, Dennis brings a creative, real-world perspective to teaching music, particularly for learners with complex needs. Learn more about Dennis Rollins: Dennis Rollins Website Colin Newton Colin Newton is a seasoned educational psychologist and passionate advocate for inclusive education. With over 40 years in the field, working across the UK and internationally. Colin is known for his passion for promoting the inclusion of all children in mainstream schools, and for his practical applied work around person-centred planning, restorative justice and in-depth problem-solving. His work has inspired a shift toward inclusive practices across the UK, as he brings both experience and innovative thinking to the world of education. Colin says: ‘Instinctively from an early age I was against children being sent away to boarding schools and later to special schools and settings. Later I was inspired by disabled activists and Canadian and North American inclusionists who were working to change the world of education with radical innovative thinking and approaches - the work was political, social and spiritual - I was in and never looked back!’ Colin’s career has been values-driven, but also practical using applied psychology in training and real-life problem-solving with schools, families and individual children and young people. Learning Objectives: By participating in this course, you’ll be able to: Gain a deeper understanding of inclusive learning processes for all children and adults Differentiate approaches to address the emotional complexities of teaching and learning Master techniques to support effective teaching and meaningful learning Explore the role of relationships and engagement in successful learning Analyse psychological models and identify their real-world applications in education Reflect on the practices of outstanding teachers to inspire deeper learning Course Topics: Learning Through Imitation Learn how social learning theory (Bandura) highlights the power of imitation. Discover how learners naturally gravitate toward peers and key adults as role models, absorbing skills and behaviours. Contextual Learning Explore Jerome Bruner’s view on context in learning. Understand how learning is always connected to a broader context, which makes it meaningful and applicable. Motivation and Structured Steps Discover techniques to ignite motivation in learners. We’ll discuss how structured, step-by-step support and person-centred encouragement can make a profound difference, particularly for those with learning barriers. Building Self-Efficacy in Learners Understand how educators can nurture self-efficacy, encouraging learners to set their own goals and take charge of their learning journey. Who Should Attend? This course is ideal for: Educators and psychologists aiming to enhance their understanding of learning processes Teachers who want to develop inclusive teaching strategies for neurodivergent and learning-different students Format A dynamic, hands-on workshop blending lectures, real-world insights, and practical exercises.
In this practical workshop session we will explore ways of including pupils who have been labelled as being on the autism spectrum. The session will be values based and practical and will aim to allow the sharing of experiences and good practice as well promoting innovative approaches to inclusion through the design of best practice. Course Category Autism and Communication Description In this practical workshop session we will explore ways of including pupils who have been labelled as being on the autism spectrum. The session will be values based and practical and will aim to allow the sharing of experiences and good practice as well promoting innovative approaches to inclusion through the design of best practice. Parental perspectives and experiences will also be explored. This is not a ‘medical model’ day on autism. Our motto for the day is ‘People do things for a Reason (and the reason isn’t autism).’ We make full use of first hand accounts of the experience of autism – the autobiographies – to deepen participants’ understanding of what it means to be labeled ‘autistic’ “We are all much more simply human than otherwise, be we happy and successful, contented and detached, miserable and disordered, or whatever.”HARRY STACK SULLIVAN Testimonials ‘A great day – going away buzzing with ideas’?? ‘Thanks for a wonderful day. Useful informative and a real ‘eye opener’. I feel that I am able to understand why some autistic children carry out certain actions’ ‘I have gained a lot of knowledge and understanding and will be able to help support and accommodate children better. Thank you.’ ‘I now know autism is part of us all’ ‘Useful to stand in shoes of autistic people’ ‘I was blessed to be on this day’ ‘I will take all these ideas back to the nursery’ ‘Very respectful of people on the spectrum.’ ‘Ways of reaching a person, not a condition.’ ‘Really gave me an idea of how people feel.’ Learning Objectives Increased confidence regarding autistic pupils and their inclusion in mainstream schools Access to a wider range of practical strategies to impact on communication and behaviour issues Deeper understanding of core values surrounding inclusion New skills and processes to strengthen the inclusion of young Autistic people in all settings Who Is It For ? Early years and school based practitioners Heads and deputies Guidance staff Learning support teams SENCOs Primary and secondary teachers Parents Local authority support services Community workers and carers Course Content The course answers the questions : What is autism? How do we go about including autistic children or young people? What does autism have to do with me? Key themes include: Movement differences Strategies for Facilitating Communication Supports and Accommodations for Sensory Sensitivities Developing Friendships and Peer Support School and Family Partnerships ‘Learning to Listen’ – Positive Behavioural Supports Developing School wide Supports for Teachers and Students
One of the most frequent telephone queries we receive at Inclusive Solutions is from parents whose disabled son or daughter is about to make the transition from Primary to Secondary School. Typically there is a tale to be told of LA planning procedures that are too little and too late, and a severe lack of confidence from all parties that the transition will be successful. Little wonder that transfers from mainstream to special schools continue to peak at Year 7! Course Category Peer Support Strategic Work Visioning and Problem Solving Person Centred Planning Description One of the most frequent telephone queries we receive at Inclusive Solutions is from parents whose disabled son or daughter is about to make the transition from Primary to Secondary School. Typically there is a tale to be told of LA planning procedures that are too little and too late, and a severe lack of confidence from all parties that the transition will be successful. Little wonder that transfers from mainstream to special schools continue to peak at Year 7! Because of this we have put together a different kind of support plan that aims to maximise the chances of Primary/Secondary transitions being successful. In essence our approach brings together a person centred planning tool called ‘MAPS’ and a ‘Circle of Friends’ recruited from within the Year 7 tutor group. The Circle of Friends forms the core of the MAPS session and are central in developing (with parents and staff) a Plan for embedding the focus child in the new school setting. Community Circles bring together disabled and non disabled pupils in a network of mutual support. Peer support is an approach to impacting on inclusion and transition in primary and secondary schools by actively involving other pupils. Enjoy participating in a multi media workshop that will challenge, entertain and reach for your emotions. Watch young people doing their stuff! Testimonials ‘It had a huge impact on all levels’ ‘Very user friendly’ Learning Objectives To be able to understand the values and wider context of peer support To be able to set up and run a peer counselling scheme to reduce bullying To understand and be able to maximise the power of the peer group in supporting relationships, achievement and behaviour change Who Is It For ? Primary and secondary teachers Heads and Deputies SENCOs Learning Support and Guidance staff Advanced Skills Teachers Parents Local Authority Support Services Community Development workers Early Years and School based Practitioners Course Content The course explores the questions : How can we improve our transition arrangements? Practically how do we go about involving pupils in this process? Do you have any fresh ideas on transition processes? Take a tour through this range of strategies for bringing about smooth transitions, meeting challenging emotional needs and to develop inclusion. Circles of friends: peer support and inclusion. Pupils work to problem solve with and actively support the inclusion and behaviour change of one of their peers Community Circles of Exchange and Mutual Support set up between disabled and non disabled group Peer support, counselling and mediation: reduce bullying and address emotional needs as older pupils offer active listening support and interventions Cross Age Mentoring: older pupils offer supportive mentoring to younger pupils in the same school or in feeder primary schools MAPS and PATH as person centred planning for transitions