In this lively interactive workshop we will explore the challenges faced by leaders of schools when tackling inclusion issues. We develop the concept of the leader as being central to the web of an organisation and the web of inclusion. Information flows freely to and from the leaders and interconnections are a premium. We explore shared leadership and consensus building using the Native American ‘Medicine Wheel’ to guide and structure our management of change. Course Category Inclusion Description In this lively interactive workshop we will explore the challenges faced by leaders of schools when tackling inclusion issues. We develop the concept of the leader as being central to the web of an organisation and the web of inclusion. Information flows freely to and from the leaders and interconnections are a premium. We explore shared leadership and consensus building using the Native American ‘Medicine Wheel’ to guide and structure our management of change. Testimonials ‘Inclusive practice has become more daring, more radical, more inspirational, more inclusive. How exciting and encouraging!’ ‘What a moving and energising day – there is so much we can do together’ Learning Objectives Increased confidence regarding developing leadership for inclusive practice in mainstream schools Access to a wider range of practical strategies to impact on team building Deeper understanding of developing vision and consensus Opportunity to reflect on professional attitudes and behaviour towards staff, parents and pupils New skills and processes to make inclusion successful Who Is It For? Heads and Deputies Leaders Managers of Chidren’s Centres Managers of Early Years settings Local Authority Support Services Course Content The course answers the questions: How to get a team thinking and working more inclusively? How to create and share my vision? Where do I start to think about developing a more inclusive setting? How can I get the best out of my team? We will cover a range of areas including: Establishing a welcoming team Building Vision and values Developing Trust Creating inclusive staff teams and communities of acceptance Creative Team problem solving Organisational models Curriculum access and curriculum design for inclusion Work with parents Consensus building If you liked this course you may well like: LEADERSHIP: CREATING AND SHARING YOUR VISION
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
The Extreme Person Centred Thinking Tools are a set of tools to support dreams, build relationships and connections and promote capacity thinking. The aim of the extreme person centred thinking tools training is not to teach people how to facilitate plans, instead it is about sharing tools that can be used to listen and reflect and creatively involve people in planning their own lives. Online Course now available via Teachable Platform – Person Centred Mindset Learn at your own pace… lots of text and video support Course Category Person Centred Planning Description The Extreme Person Centred Thinking Tools are a set of tools to support dreams, build relationships and connections and promote capacity thinking. The aim of the extreme person centred thinking tools training is not to teach people how to facilitate plans, instead it is about sharing tools that can be used to listen and reflect and creatively involve people in planning their own lives. Many of these tools have been taken from MAPS and PATH, and parts also build on the person centred thinking tools. Testimonials Be the first… Learning Objectives This course will provide participants with an understanding of how to use a range of extreme person centred thinking tools to; Use graphics to facilitate creative conversations Learn from people’s stories and histories Listen to and facilitate dreams and nightmares Think about what is positive and possible Connect people with their communities Facilitate inclusion Who Is It For? Person Centred Planning Facilitators Support Workers / Day Centre Officers / Residential Workers Personal Assistants / Teaching Assistants Families Self Advocates Social Workers CAMHS teams Primary and secondary staff teams SENCOs Local Authority Support Services Course Content The course will introduce participants to a range of tools focused around supporting relationships, realising dreams, connecting people with their communities and capacity thinking. Participants will be coached in using the tools and given the opportunity to practice the tools and their graphic facilitation skills in a safe environment. The course will answer the following questions: How can we use ideas from MAP and PATH in our day to day work? How can I use graphics to facilitate conversations? How can we learn more about the people we support? How can we start to think about connecting people to their communities? If you liked this course you may well like: PERSON CENTRED PLANNING USING PATH AND MAPS
This is a practical ‘non-medical’ day for front line practitioners working with children and young people who have experienced serious trauma in their life. We work to strengthen understanding of children who have faced issues of trauma emerging from abuse, violence, loss and family breakdown. Online Course now available via Teachable Platform – Impact of Trauma Learn at your own pace… lots of text and video support Course Category Meeting emotional needs Behaviour and Relationships Inclusion Teaching and Learning Description This is a practical ‘non-medical’ day for front line practitioners working with children and young people with serious issues arising from trauma. Drawing from the international research and literature and our own experience over many years as educational psychologists of the challenges of children with major social and emotional needs, we will explore together what the best practice can and could look like. We explore the language and key concepts of trauma and outline very practical classroom strategies. We look at what Psychology may help us in our understanding of children who have faced trauma. We explore the themes of: Hyperarousal Intrusive thoughts Constricted lives We look at triggers, self-regulation and unpack a range of strategies. We explore what young people with these difficulties really need from us. We also spend time looking at the emotional impact on practitioners working with children with such needs and what helps at a personal and team level. We can all do something – we do not have to wait for expert therapists to arrive! Testimonials I had no idea… It had a huge impact Belonging and feelings are so important Excellent! Learning Objectives Increased confidence regarding developing inclusive practice for traumatised children in mainstream schools Simple understandable explanation trauma understood Access to a wider range of practical strategies to impact on social and behavioural needs Deeper understanding of core values surrounding inclusion of emotionally disabled children Opportunity to reflect on professional attitudes and behaviour towards parents and pupils with complex emotional needs New skills, scripts and processes to make inclusion successful Who Is It For? Practitioners working in schools and other settings with children and young people of all ages Key workers Teaching Assistants with support roles Heads and deputies SENCOs Advanced skills teachers Primary and secondary classroom teachers Parents Local authority support services Course Content The course explores the questions:What does it take for a child to:Feel safe and secureMourn the past traumaReconnect with ordinary relationships with children and adults?How can we start to develop an understanding of traumatised children?What is the true impact of trauma?What else can we do to go about including high profile children or young people with challenging emotional needs?What useful psychological constructs can we use to guide us?This course also explores practical strategies, concepts and language for key adults rebuilding relationships with individual pupils.This is a participative day that aims to be explorative and practical. Opportunities to develop empathy with the children of concern will be created.If you liked this course you may well like:FRESH APPROACHES TO BEHAVIOUR AND RELATIONSHIPS
Local authorities are being encouraged to seek the views of young people in relation to the services they receive. Schools and the whole range of support services (e.g. behaviour support, youth offending teams, social services, CAMHS etc.) are being expected to routinely ask young people for their views. This goes beyond involving young people in plans that concern them e.g care plans, individual education plans, pastoral support plans etc. Online Course now available via Teachable Platform – Ask the Children Learn at your own pace… lots of text and video support Course Category Peer Support Description Local authorities are being encouraged to seek the views of young people in relation to the services they receive. Schools and the whole range of support services (e.g. behaviour support, youth offending teams, social services, CAMHS etc.) are being expected to routinely ask young people for their views. This goes beyond involving young people in plans that concern them e.g care plans, individual education plans, pastoral support plans etc. This training will focus on how young people can be effectively engaged in giving their views and will present a model for use in evaluating services to young people based on the concept of resilience. This model enables young people to be clear about what has helped and hindered them in being able to overcome difficulties. It also provides a framework for evaluating the extent to which services are reducing risk and increasing protective factors to enable young people to develop the resilience. Testimonials ‘Yet again inspiring and opening more doors than I can go through’? ‘This opened a lot of avenues for thought and reflection. It will help me to help colleagues to see where they can improve practice to create a more inclusive environment within the whole school.’ ‘Some great ideas and restored my self belief! Fantastic’ Learning Objectives Strategies for engaging young people Knowledge and Understanding of resilience In relation to system and environmental factors Strategies for reducing risk and increasing protective factors In relation to Individual young people and services Evaluation framework for services to young people Who Is It For ? Youth offending teams Social services CAMHS 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 Social work staff Health Services Course Content The course answers the questions : How can we truly involve pupils? Practically how do we go about listening to pupils views? What if we do not like what they tell us? How can we involve our most disaffected young people? Key themes Tools for engaging young people and gaining their views The concept of resilience System and environmental risk and protective factors that impact on young people’s resilience Reducing risk and Increasing protective factors Resilience planning for Individuals and services Evaluating services to young people If you liked this course you may well like: CIRCLES OF FRIENDS
Online Course now available via Teachable Platform – How do People Learn? Learn at your own pace… lots of text and video support Course Category Inclusive education Neurodiversity Description The course offers a rare opportunity to learn from two eminent educators -one a widely esteemed and talented trombone player and teacher and the other a very experienced inclusive educational psychologist. Drawing upon shared knowledge and direct experience the two educators explore dominant psychological models of learning and how they make sense in the real world of teaching trombone or children and young people with the most complex needs in our schools. By listening deeply and making connections to your own experiences you will be able to consider more deeply how to improve your own or the teaching of others. The day involves an exploration of major learning theories and their applications in the real world. There will be a range of practical activities designed to deepen your understanding of the best teaching and learning. Dennis Rollins MBE https://www.dennisrollins.com/ A passionate performer and educator, British trombone player Dennis Rollins MBE has established a reputation as an artist of excellence, and has lent his unique and stylish talents to some of this country's, and indeed the world's top jazz and pop personalities such as Courtney Pine, Maceo Parker, Jamiroquai, US3, The Brand New Heavies, Blur, Monty Alexander, Pee Wee Ellis and Jean Toussaint, amongst others. As a bandleader, in 2006 his jazz/funk outfit Badbone & Co won a prestigious BBC Jazz Award in the Best Band category. In the following year he picked up both Trombonist of the Year at the British Jazz Awards and Ronnie Scott's Jazz Awards. Dennis was nominated twice in the 2008 Parliamentary Jazz Awards for Jazz Musician of the Year and for Jazz Education; he won the latter. Other awards include British Trombone Society (BTS) Player of the year Award 2013 and JazzYorkshire Award 2012 Best Band for his band Velocity Trio. In his hometown of Doncaster UK, Dennis was given Honorary Freedom of the Borough in recognition of his successful musical career and for his constant inspiration to the regions musical youth. As part of Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2018, Dennis was honoured with an MBE for Services to music. Most recently in June 2022, he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Wales, UK. Colin Newton Colin has over 40 years experience as a teacher of children and adults and as an educational psychologist across the UK as well as some work internationally. He has written books on a range of subjects mainly related to inclusive education of those with most complex behaviour and learning needs. He is know for his passion for 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. Colin loves to demonstrate approaches as well as provide training with often very large groups - always with a clear focus on facilitation and inclusion of all. His love of drama and participation are as clear as his drive to revolutionise educational psychologist practice across the UK. 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 Formulate deeper understanding of learning processes for all children and adults Differentiate understandings and insights into emotional complexity of teaching and learning Learn Techniques to support teaching and learning Invite reflection on importance of relationships for effective learning Gain key phrases, key questions and key processes to support teaching and learning with adults and children Appraise different psychological models of learning Conjecture on how to inspire deeper learning and motivation in students To create insights into thinking of exceptional teachers teaching complex skills Differentiate inclusive insights and reflections on the learning of all children whatever their barriers may be Critique psychological models of learning and how they can be applied in a teaching context Investigate how to inspire deeper learning and motivation in students Formulate insights into the emotional complexity of teaching and learning Who Is It For ? Any Teacher, Psychologist or Educator who wishes to understand the learning processes of children or adults Course Content Fun, engagement and interest are key ingredients of the the most memorable learning. Imitation - (Bandura) Social learning theory- we can assume that 80%of learning is done by imitating others around us in the social world. We are particularly drawn learning from our peers as well as significant role models and key adults in our lives. We copy each other. Learning takes place In meaningful contexts. (Bruner argued that you cannot strip learning of its content, nor study it in a ‘neutral’ context. It is always situated, always related to some ongoing enterprise. Learning and motivation to learn can be sparked or inspired by people around us including teachers but not only them. Structured steps help to facilitate and scaffold learning in most children and adults. With person centred encouragement eg a focus on interests and passions - individuals are more likely to learn effectively. This also ensures motivation and ‘buy in’ from the learner. The ultimate goals for teachers is to nurture self-efficacy and confidence in learners to the point whereby they can set their own goals
So you appreciated a Keys to Inclusion day? Wondering what next? The Next Set follows on from our lead workshop/training day and is both values driven and a practical guide to successful strategies for further developing inclusive practice in educational settings for children and young people of all ages. Course Category Inclusion Description So you appreciated a Keys to Inclusion day? Wondering what next? The Next Set follows on from our lead workshop/training day and is both values driven and a practical guide to successful strategies for further developing inclusive practice in educational settings for children and young people of all ages. On this day we explore processes and ideas ranging from the individual practitioner’s imagination through to the creating of a community gathering to strengthen inclusion of disabled and disempowered adults and children. This too is a ‘hearts and minds’ day in which you can expect participants to both laugh and cry in equal measure! The day gives those present lots of opportunities to reflect on their attitudes and practice in relation to the inclusion of pupils who are different and most challenging. Testimonials I have learned such a lot. I have learned so much. Keep an Open Mind. Really inspired! I can’t wait to share the day Learning Objectives Increased confidence regarding developing inclusive practice in mainstream schools Access to a wider range of practical strategies to impact on behaviour problems Deeper understanding of core values surrounding inclusion of disabled children Opportunity to reflect on professional attitudes and behaviour towards parents and pupils New skills and processes to make inclusion successful Who Is It For ? Early Years and School based Practitioners Heads and Deputies SENCOs Advanced Skills Teachers Primary and secondary teachers Parents Local Authority Support Services Course Content The course answers the questions : What next after a Keys day? How do we take people with us? What else can we do to go about including high profile children or young people? What does inclusion really have to do with me? Best delivered over the course of a full day, ‘Keys to Inclusion’ introduces participants to 6 guiding Ideas that underpin inclusive practice. The power of imagination Determination and persistence Growing Relationships How to help not hinder Communicating honestly and directly Creating Community Circles If you liked this course you may well like: KEYS TO INCLUSION Or: INCLUSION: IT DOESN’T JUST HAPPEN
Give your team the opportunity to pause and reflect on what matters most to them about the work they do. The act of listening to each other creates relationship and strengthens trust and inclusion within the team – in creating a shared vision, groups of people build a sense of commitment together. Using the PATH or MAP processes of group facilitation and the creating of a large wall sized graphic we will provide a School Improvement Plan to be proud of! Course Category Visioning and Problem Solving Person Centred Planning Strategic Work Team Building and Leadership Description There is an old Japanese proverb, “Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare” “There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about” MARGARET WHEATLEY – ‘TURNING TO ONE ANOTHER’ (2002) Give your team the opportunity to pause and reflect on what matters most to them about the work they do. The act of listening to each other creates relationship and strengthens trust and inclusion within the team – in creating a shared vision, groups of people build a sense of commitment together. They develop images of ‘the future we want to create together’, along with the values that will be important in getting there and the goals they want to see achieved along the way. Unfortunately, many people still think ’vision’ is the top leader’s job. In schools, the ‘vision task’ usually falls to the Headteacher and/or the governors or it comes in a glossy document from the local authority or the DfES. But visions based on authority are not sustainable. Drawing on the planning tools MAPS and PATH (Pearpoint, Forest and O’Brien 1997) and other facilitation sources we use both process and graphic facilitation to enable the group to build their picture of what they would love to see happening within their organisation/community in the future and we encourage this to be a positive naming, not just a list of the things they want to avoid. ??Let us join you to explore your vision and the ‘roadblocks’ to your vision. Testimonials “Thank you so much for the work you did with us yesterday – I have since been in 2 schools today and have spoken to an number of other colleagues who were present – all were totally overwhelmed by the session – they loved it.” “I was totally blown away, so nice to reflect and realise what a long way we have come” “That was so powerful and motivational” “Our Primary is now an OFSTED rated ‘Outstanding School’ – we were in Special Measures – the Visioning and Planning using the PATH process for 3 years has seriously contributed to this”. Learning Objectives To create a far reaching and shared vision of the future for the school team/group you are working with and ensure that each person present contributes to this To create a visual representation (a graphic) of the vision and use this to plan future actions and to inform school improvement and development plans To facilitate the group in thinking through what some of the barriers to achieving their vision are and to begin work on how these can be removed To build a sense of commitment, common purpose and trust within the team/group Who Is It For ? Headteachers School managers EIP Managers Whole staff – including everyone Course Content The facilitation of a shared vision can be delivered as a full or a half day but, unlike our other training days this day depends on your and your team’s needs and the time you have available The course will cover: Creating the vision The Story So Far Headline Themes Naming the Nightmare A Year from Now Naming Roadblocks and Barriers Building strength Who will we need to take with us on the journey towards the vision Who are we? – Gifts, Strengths and Talents Charting Specific Actions
New Covid 19 inspired course to deepen participants understanding of stress, trauma and anxiety. We will work with them to strengthen them and build resilience. This work is particularly relevant to school and other teams returning to school post Covid-19 lock down experiences or similar. The training can be delivered virtually on Teams or Zoom or face to face safely. Course Category Team Building Leadership Emotional needs Description In this course we deepen participants understanding of stress, trauma and anxiety and will work with them to strengthen them and build resilience. This work is particularly relevant to school and other teams returning to school post Covid-19 lock down experiences or similar. The training can be delivered virtually on Teams or Zoom or face to face safely. Learning Objectives Participants will: Deepen their understanding of stress, trauma and anxiety Develop creative resources for self-care Experience a reflective space in which they feel heard and validated Share narratives and strategies and develop solidarity Create a shared vision for achieving resilience within teams Who Is It For? Any team that is returning to workplace following Covid-19 lockdown or other traumatic events Any team that wants to build strength and resilience Course Content Overview of session, goals and ground rules Confidential listening: story so far… experiences shared – opportunity for mutual support. All shared in strictest confidence unless serious or dangerous. What we know about staying strong and resilient – taught input with short activities covering: Understanding anxiety and stress and how to manage/process both – what’s there already/what’s needed – building a resilience toolkit. What to do about eating, sleeping and worrying? The nature of change and chaos Building trust in each other – with activity The impact of trauma Empowering cooperative teamwork Importance of nurture and inclusion The long view – the power of individual people in our lives who really care and the impact we each make on young people Share collective ideas and resources for building strength Shared vision for a strong, resilient staff – teams that are abiding, constant, durable, established, fast, firm, lasting, firm but flexible, reliable, secure, sound, steadfast, strong, sturdy, sure and well-founded.
This workshop gives an opportunity to focus on the emotional needs of girls and how to meet these. We lift the lid on a less well explored inclusion issue, meeting the emotional needs of girls. Everyone knows a girl or woman. They may be pupil, daughter, sister, parent or partner. Course Category Meeting emotional needs Behaviour and Relationships Inclusion Early Years Description This workshop gives an opportunity to focus on the emotional needs of girls and how to meet these. We lift the lid on a less well explored inclusion issue, meeting the emotional needs of girls. Everyone knows a girl or woman. They may be pupil, daughter, sister, parent or partner. Girls will often withdraw, attack or even hurt themselves when under emotional stress and this is not always obvious in the way it is with boys. 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence and every week 2 women are killed by a current or ex partner. Whilst the world assumes girls have no problems processing their emotions, we lift the lid on this and question what is really happening for girls this century? Testimonials Learning Objectives Increased understanding of girls’ emotional needs Access to a wider range of practical strategies to impact on meeting emotional and behaviour problems Deeper understanding of core values surrounding inclusion Opportunity to reflect on professional attitudes and behaviour towards girls and their emotional challenges New skills and processes to make girls’ inclusion and achievement more successful Who Is It For ? Early years and school based practitioners Key workers Teaching Assistants with support roles Heads and deputies SENCOs Advanced skills teachers Primary and secondary classroom teachers Parents Local Authority support services Course Content The course explores the questions : Is there an invisible problem with girls? What can we do to meet the emotional needs of girls? What helps? What should our priority be with girls? This workshop will explore: Cultural and historical expectations of girls in our society Shared experiences of teaching and parenting girls Circle of Courage as a way of understanding emotional needs Fathers, mothers and daughters Solution Circle Problem Solving around girls’ needs What girls really need If you you want something similar, but not gender specific try: FRESH APPROACHES TO BEHAVIOUR AND RELATIONSHIPS or you may like: RESTORATIVE INTERVENTIONS