Helping children with SEND continue their education during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Mrs Gardiner, our SENCO, will be your first port of call to support SEND pupils.
Class teachers will also give pupil specific advice on work that your child can complete whilst at home. Staying at home can be more disruptive to the lives and routines of children with special educational needs and disabilities.
No one expects parents to act as teachers or childcare providers, or to provide the activities and feedback that a school would. We know that you will be doing your absolute best to help and support your children with their learning while they are at home.
The government have produced some guidance for parents and carers on how to help and support their children with SEND continue their education at home during the pandemic. This can be found here.
Some useful apps/websites recommended by the DfE include:
Brain Parade
Website: http://www.brainparade.com/products/see-touch-learn-free/
Description: a visual instruction app, including flash cards and picture-choosing games, for children with autism and special needs.
HelpKidzLearn
Website: https://www.helpkidzlearn.com/
Description: a collection of games and resources designed for a range of educational needs and stages. It includes provision for school closure.
Sensory App House Ltd
Website: https://www.sensoryapphouse.com/
Description: a range of apps are available for pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) or Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD). All are interactive and many do not require significant coordination abilities.
Visuals2Go
Website: https://www.visuals2go.com/
Description: an all-in-one app created to support people with communication and learning difficulties. For verbal and non-verbal learners.
Do2Learn (USA)
Website: https://do2learn.com/
Description: a range of downloadable resources grouped by theme. Themes include: social skills, songs and games, and picture cards.
Registration: not required
Priory Woods School
Website: http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/page/?title=Resources&pid=3
Description: resources from an award-winning, innovative special school, put together by SEND teachers. The resources include apps and programmes.
Registration: not required
http://www.thesensoryprojects.co.uk/covid19-resources This page is providing a bank of resources helpful for those looking for educational activities to do whilst staying home and staying safe. The resources are loosely grouped into those aimed at people with additional educational needs, those specific to learning about COVID 19 and the changes it is implementing in our lives and those aimed at students who attend mainstream schools.
https://www.techability.org.uk/resources/aiding-learning-from-home/ a range of SEND specific resources for learning from home
The DfE have also worked with other organisations to create information on ways you can help your children learn at home. See:
- advice on supporting children with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) from the Council for Disabled Children
- recommendations on special educational needs from the Education Endowment Foundation