Approaching a new school year can trigger a range of emotions for children, parents and teachers alike. However, for families and children with SEND, there can be an extra layer of angst as September draws near.
“Returning to school after the summer holidays can be difficult…… children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) often experience additional challenges.” – Family Action
Back to School – How to Prepare Your Child
Starting a new school: If your child is either transitioning to secondary school or transferring to a new school for other reasons, it helps if they can familiarise themselves with their new surroundings. A visit that will allow them to get used to the building, their classroom, the smells, sounds and sights beforehand, should ease any angst as they approach their first day.
Talk to your child: Consider what you need to discuss with your child before returning to school. They may have concerns about a new classroom, teacher or a new mix of children. Talk to them gradually over the summer, creating the space to ask questions that could arise. Use social stories to help you communicate and understand expectations. If they seem uncertain, use role-play as a tool to play out any potentially stressful situations.
Talk to your child’s school: Establish positive links with your child’s school. If it’s a new school, ensure they have all the information they need about your child, in terms of documentation and any relevant information. In particular, ensure they have advanced knowledge of any personal preferences or dislikes they may have.
SEN Tutor Becky has previously worked as a SENDCO. She has gathered some excellent advice for families as they consider the new term in September: “Establish with teaching staff what type of regular communication works for them, as well as for you. This might be a home/school link book for daily updates, weekly emails or a fortnightly check-in after school.
“Interacting with the SENDCO is also something to consider; they will absolutely want the very best for your child, so building that connection can be invaluable. If it is possible to secure a meeting with the school before the end of the summer term, that would be a great place to start. Staff may be busy, but be patient and try to lock a date in place early on.”
Prepare their Uniform and Equipment: Try not to leave it until the last week to get organised for the new term. Staggering the planning will remind your child that school is nearing and will hopefully create a mindset that will ease the transition. It can also be helpful if your child wears the uniform at home a few times over the break to become more comfortable and familiar with it.
For younger children, talk to them about a small cuddly toy they could put in their bag. Have a three-way role-play conversation with you, your child and the cuddly toy, talking about what will happen in the new term.
Becky adds, “Supporting your child by being organised can go a long way towards reducing anxiety, especially in the mornings before school.”
Visual Reminders of School: Incorporate images at home that will remind your child about school throughout the holiday period. Change the image each week, ensuring you have an array of photos to display different parts of the building, such as the playground, the school entrance, the office staff and particularly their new classroom. Include the route to school, maybe the landmarks you pass en route by car, or familiar streets if you walk.
How Teachers Can Prepare for SEND Children in the New Year
Preparation is key. Becky highlights, “Happy transitions are all about preparation. A proactive mindset is much better than a reactive one. Ensuring a robust handover of information between the previous teacher/TA and new staff is crucial, with any updates of the pupil’s profile to clearly reflect what helped or hindered them during the year.”
“Hold a meeting, if possible, between the parents, TA and teachers before the end of the previous term. Send home a photo pack of the new staff members to help familiarity with the child, also including photos of the toilets and lockers, in addition to a picture of the carpet area that will become home from home in a few weeks.
Becky also advises a soft approach in the mornings, “When a child with SEND starts back at school, offering a ‘soft landing’ can help enormously, for example, giving ten minutes of one-to-one time, going on a short walk or playing a game.”
Quiet Space: Prepare an area for SEND members to retreat if needed, with some cushions, fidget toys and distractions.
Know your SEND children: Familiarise yourself with the SEND children; get to know relevant information, for example, sensory needs or fears.
Colourful Displays: Visually represent the day’s events, plus some clear illustrations of expectations and rules, similar to images typically found within a social story.
Modified Work: If possible, keep in mind adaptations of work set for mainstream children so SEND pupils are integrated and able to participate.
With planning and thought ahead of a new year, our SEND children can be helped to feel more at ease. In addition, parents and teachers can feel reassured that a child is familiar with the culture of the school and knows who their important adults are during the school day.
Please follow the links that have been added below to help support you with some of the ideas mentioned above.
Useful Websites
https://lifeskillsadvocate.com/blog/how-to-write-a-social-story/
https://www.sendandyou.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Transitions-Preparing-for-starting-or-moving-school-1-newlogo.pdf
Please note: The information provided within this blog, by SENsational Tutors, is for general information purposes only. We appreciate that every person is unique, and any advice/experiences mentioned within the content of each blog may not be reflective of your own personal experience. All information on the site is provided in good faith and is for educational informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with appropriate professionals.
