Reach MAT Professional Development (PD) Group

Please note: This event booking is only applicable for invited registration for schools/settings within Reach Multi Academy Trust. If you are not part of this group, please contact us for further guidance.

60+ primary settings from REAch2 – the largest primary MAT across England. 

Discussion with leaders around how to effectively audit SEND and Preparation for Adulthood in settings and how this can lead into individualised Professional Development projects in settings across the primaries. 

Baseline pre project 
Schools are going to complete a SEND Review Audit which will be followed by a Preparation for Adulthood review from the earliest years with guidance from WSS Lead. This work will be completed by settings and the findings explored by WSS lead and SEND leaders across the MAT. 
The findings will then help to formulate possible trends/themes to be focused on as part of a PD project that enables settings to develop a deeper understanding of SEND/PfA through exploring inclusive practice strategies, early intervention and promoting independence.
They will reflect on their own baselines, knowledge and skills and listen to others’ views. They will have the opportunity to explore, research and trial ideas in practice and use this knowledge to improve SEND/PfA in their settings.

Identify a project
In order to help participants to narrow down their foci, we will look at the varying barriers and strengths of the key trends and themes from the audits in the different settings and build an understanding of what this looks like in their Primary Schools. We will look at the needs/struggles of children and young people with SEND and how they are developing independence and life skills in the classroom and consider how settings can come up with their own school approaches to SEND and PfA.  What questions do we need to ask? Theoretical prompts will be provided to enable participants to develop a clear understanding of SEND and PfA such as EEF and NDTI.  
The session will end with a focus to clarify their project focus and begin to consider and collect baseline evidence. 
 
Design an improvement plan and implement the plan
Participants will be asked to share what were their findings from the audits in advance of the session and come prepared to discuss their strengths and difficulties with potential development points to share. They will consider their vision and ethos for the project and how they will implement the appropriate strategies and support in practice through the creation of an Action Plan.

Participants will have the opportunity to share barriers and obstacles to their improvement plan, they will problem solve together. The session will end with the development of an action plan with an agreed timeframe

Gather feedback and evaluate outcomes and impact – 
In advance of the session, schools will have collated feedback/ evidence to discuss and share information to show improvements so far and any issues blocking the improvement project.

The core aspect of session will allow participants to explore how they will evaluate the success of their project. 

Dates and times of sessions

• Session 1: Tues 23rd September 1-3pm (online)
• Session 2: Mon 20th October 1-3pm (online)
• Session 3: Thurs 27th November 1-3pm (online)
• Session 4: 20th January 1-3pm (online)

If you have any questions, please contact the Whole School SEND team.

By signing up you are demonstrating a commitment to attend these sessions.