South Gloucestershire Professional Development (PD) Group

Please note: This event booking is only applicable for invited registration for schools/settings within South Gloucestershire local authority. If you are not part of this group, please contact us for further guidance.

Classroom Confidence: Meeting Need Through Universal Provision

Working with Whole School SEND, in partnership with the Local Authority and specialist SEND experts, to build Confidence in the Classroom. This initiative is designed to strengthen inclusive practice and build internal capacity to meet the diverse needs of all learners.
 
In addition to the SENCo, schools will need to nominate one class teacher who would benefit from the training and be well-placed to support the wider sharing of inclusive strategies across the school.

The programme will run from September 2025 to February 2026, consisting of six monthly sessions. Participants will work with national and local SEND specialists, develop and trial a menu of practical classroom strategies, and engage in peer reflection and discussion to support effective implementation and sustained best practice.

Dates and times of sessions

• Session 1: 23rd September 4-5pm (in-person, venue details will be sent by email)

Universal SEND Practice – A Foundation for Inclusion

Led by: Libby Lines and Julia Chapman

EEF Stage: Explore + Prepare

• Dispelling myths
• Understand universal provision and its evidence base
• Introduce the EEF’s 5-stage model for implementing SEND practice change
• Identify school/classroom barriers to inclusion
• Begin diagnostic reflection: What are we already doing well? Where are gaps?

• Session 2: 21st October 4-5pm (in-person, venue details will be sent by email)

Supporting Communication and Interaction

Led by: Warmley Park/ SALT

EEF Stage: Deliver

• Common communication difficulties in the classroom
• Visuals, now/next boards, key vocab displays
• Strategies for active listening, turn-taking, and language scaffolding
• Using structured talk and visuals to reduce cognitive load
• Practical toolkit: word mats, sentence stems, Makaton basics
• Action planning

• Sessions 3: 25th November 4-5pm (in-person, venue details will be sent by email)

Meeting Cognition and Learning Needs

Led by: Educational Psychologist and Inclusion Support

EEF Stage: Deliver

• Supporting memory, attention, and processing difficulties/ Executive Functioning
• Low-cost adaptations: chunking, overlearning, dual coding
• Alternative ways of recording learning
• Effective modelling and metacognition
• Creating supportive classroom routines
• Action planning

• Session 4: 16th December4-5pm (in-person, venue details will be sent by email)

Understanding and Supporting SEMH in the Classroom

Led by:  Inclusion Support/ Libby Lines

EEF Stage: Deliver

• Recognising signs of emotional dysregulation
• Classroom structures that promote safety and belonging
• Using predictable routines, co-regulation, and de-escalation
• Promoting independence through safe choice and voice
• Zones of Regulation, emotion coaching, class charters
• Action planning

• Session 5: 13th January 4-5pm (in-person, venue details will be sent by email)

Sensory and Physical Needs – Creating Accessible Classrooms

Led by: Claire Phillips and Autism Champion

• Common sensory profiles and their behavioural impacts
• Practical classroom layout tips and adaptations
• Fidget tools, movement breaks, alternative seating
• Supporting handwriting, posture, and fine motor skills
• Universal design for accessibility
• Action planning

• Session 6: 3rd February 4-5pm (online)

Action Planning and Sustainability

EEF Stage: Sustain + Monitor & Adapt

• Bringing the sessions together: quick-win strategies by need type
• Real-life classroom case studies: what worked and why
• Sharing of toolkits and resource templates
• Case study

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

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