Month: March 2014

Mental Health Standards for Schools.

Mental Health Standards for Schools.

The focus in the new Code of Practice ( Special Educational Needs ), on ‘ Social, Mental and Emotional Health’, will bring a new challenge to schools , but a timely one. At long last teachers have a mandate to do something constructive in the area of Mental Health, and create a curriculum and pedagogy around Emotional Well Being.
Even the Office of National statistics has reported that for every 5 children on a school’s SEN Register, 3 will experience some mental health issue. In the area of Autism it is 6 in every 10 pupils.
With this clear mandate from the DfE we can move forward to help our pupils and students with Mental Health needs. The new Mental Health Standards, published by Butterfly Print,(butterflyprint.co.uk), offers excellent guidance on how to do this is a coherent and systemic way.This company also produces Mental Health journals which would work really well in giving focussed support to children with these needs in schools settings.
I highly recommend these materials.

Children in Foster Care.

Children in Foster Care.

Successive Governments have expressed concern about the academic attainments of ” Looked -after children”. The Rees Centre at the University of Oxford , has been founded to research the role of Foster Carers. Their latest publication, ” Effective parent and chid fostering; and International Literature Review” , brings together a wealth of information in this field, that give a solid foundation for the consideration of key issue based on international research findings. Keep an eye on the work of the Rees Centre, ( under the Directorship of Professor Judy Sebba,) rees.centre@education.ox.ac.uk.

Teachers need to be vigilant in monitoring children born prematurely.

Teachers need to be vigilant in monitoring children born prematurely.

 
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26452827

 
This news clip from BBC Scotland highlights the importance of understanding how premature birth can impact on a child’s learning , and effective schooling.
Dr Nashwa Matta attended the Conference on this topic in London , in 2013, organised by the National Forum for Neuroscience in Special Education. 
Upon her return to her post in Scotland she took the initiative to organise her own Conference to stimulate thought and debate across Professional groups on this rapidly emerging topic.
Maybe others could follow her lead?
Reports and resources on educating the prematurely born child can be found on this website using the ‘prematurity’ tag

How do you help children love school?

 

I am increasingly impressed by the deep and thoughtful materials produced by Community Playthings. This child centred , teacher – friendly publication has the wonderful title of ” The Irresistible Classroom.”

I can highly recommend it for the refreshing approach it takes , one that will resonate with many Early Years teachers/ practitioners.

Complimentary copies are available.

Below is more information from their promotional material

The irresistible classroom

New training resource for primary teachers
When I was a child the classroom was a place I wanted to escape from! Yet school can be something children anticipate eagerly each day. We’ve been visiting schools and talking to teachers who have created truly irresistible learning environments.The result is The irresistible classroom, a training resource to help teachers prepare classrooms that captivate children with their potential for discovery. The booklet starts by considering how children learn in Reception and Key Stage 1. It goes on to discuss how a classroom might be arranged to stimulate that learning. Lastly we reflect on how the room’s aesthetic message affects the child’s motivation.

It’s an inspiring topic, and I’m eager to share it.

Request your complimentary copy of The irresistible classroom

Martin