Assessing progress in special schools: Reviews and recommendations
Alex Tomkins, Headteacher, Greenside School and EdD student, University of Derby, UK Assessment of students with SEND has been under debate for a long time, with several significant changes over the past few years. This article shares the journey on which special schools have been in terms of guidance on assessment, as well as how […]
Using Lesson Study principles in a special school to improve teaching and learning
Alex Tomkins, Headteacher, Spring Common Academy, UK; EdD student, University of Derby, UK What makes a special school different? Special schools educate students with a variety of needs; most have diverse cohorts and often teach the most marginalised in our school system. The school in which this case study is set is a large special […]
Designing a curriculum: The challenge faced by many specialist settings
The number of special schools is set to rise in the future (DfE, 2018). First and foremost, new special schools will need to ensure that they are offering and delivering an appropriate curriculum. Students attending special schools often have, or are going through the process to obtain, an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Many […]