“Education is concerned with enhancing learning, and neuroscience is concerned with understanding the mechanisms of learning. It seems only logical that one should inform the other.” Professor, Dame Uta Frith, Patron of the National Forum for Neuroscience and Special Education.

This group brings together scientists, teachers and social care professionals to share knowledge, best practice and expertise on special education in the context of neuroscience.

The forum aims to do the following:

• Encourage discourse around the changing pattern of childhood disability
• Share insights from both fields that lead to innovative practice and better learning outcomes for children
• Campaign on issues of interest to the forum (for example, better training for teachers, more support for students with mental health issues and greater flexibility in the school system over ages and class groups).

The group works closely with the autism and girls forum and reports to our SEND sector council. And it is an independent group that we currently serve.

History

The group was founded in 2011 by Professor Barry Carpenter CBE, Professor Francesca Happé and Dr Rona Tutt OBE (a past president of NAHT). It emerged from discussions about how to facilitate closer working between neuroscientists and those working with children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).