Case studies/best practice

Yvonne Newbold MBE writes here about her Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Violent and Challenging Behaviour project (SEND VCB). She gives advice on how to support children with distressed behaviours, using kindness to de-escalate challenging situations with tips on protecting all those involved. Summary Distressed behaviour is nearly always a cry for help.Traditional sanctions are likely to further escalate the unwanted behaviours.Focusing on making children feel safe, instead of on their behaviours, will have better long-term outcomes Since 2017, Newbold Hope and The SEND VCB Project have successfully supported over 1,000 children to turn their previously difficult and dangerous behaviours…

When headteacher Sarah Stokes realised that communication with parents was not as it should be, she knew her school would have to rise to the challenge. In this article she explains how they developed their own solution at Dormansland Primary School through a parent forum. Summary points The parent forum was established in order to provide a sustainable system of keeping parents involved.Establishing suitable terms of reference is a key step in ensuring the effectiveness of your parent forum.Two representatives from each class provide the flexibility needed when scheduling meetings and making sure parents do not feel under pressure. In…

As this academic year draws to a close, what will schools need to have in place for the 2022–23 cohort? Victoria Franklin outlines the DfE’s plans and provides some practical advice to get you off to the best start in September. Summary The DfE is addressing the issue of absence rates following the past two years of disruption.Approaches to attendance vary across settings and regions, and new guidance and policy aims to address this.Reviewing and highlighting your school attendance policy is a key action you can take in readiness for the government drive to improve attendance. As this academic year…