Key Voices #96 - SEND governance: schools that work for all learners with Professor Adam Boddison

Key Voices

This week we talk to Professor Adam Boddison, CEO of nasen about his new book The Governance Handbook for SEND and Inclusion: Schools that work for all learners. We consider what every governor needs to know about SEND, the legislation schools need to comply with and how they can understand the quality of provision for children with SEND in their school.

We talk about:

• Why it is important for all governors to know about their school’s responsibilities around SEND
• What every governor needs to know about SEND
• The difference between the Social and Medical models of SEND
• Ways to learn more about the size and make-up of a school’s SEND cohort
• How governors might prepare and complete an effective SEND review of governance in their school
• The importance of a strategic approach to SEND, what that looks like and why getting it right for children with SEND is actually good for all pupils
• How you can use data, including budget information, to understand how inclusive your school is
• The most meaningful ways to present data so governors can get a clear sense of progress and attainment of pupils with SEND and the importance of having high expectations
• The eventual release of the Government’s SEND review in the summer, which will likely recommend a more cross-departmental approach to supporting young people with SEND.

In the podcast, Adam recommends governors familiarise themselves with chapter 6 of the SEND code of practice

You can find free resources to support a SEND review of governance here

From Monday 25th January, nasen membership will be available to all (including governors) for free, more details are availble here

If you purchase Adam’s book ‘The Governance Handbook for SEND and Inclusion’ from Routledge you can use the code BSM20 to get 20% off at checkout.