September has been a busy and exciting month at SENsational Tutors as we welcome the start of a new academic year. From supporting families as they navigate new routines to sharing valuable SEND resources and celebrating the work of our wonderful tutors, there has been plenty happening across our community. We’ve also continued to raise awareness of the issues that matter most to SEND families, while looking ahead to the opportunities and events the autumn term will bring.
Joanna at Parliament: Standing Up for SEND Rights
September was a particularly important month for SEND advocacy. On 7th September, our Founder and CEO, Joanna Gibbs, attended Parliament alongside Special Needs Jungle,SOS Special Educational Needs and IPSEA, joining vital conversations about the future of SEND provision and the rights of children and young people with additional needs.
At SENsational Tutors, we believe that any changes to the SEND system must keep children, young people and families at the very heart of decision-making and must protect access to the education, provision and specialist support they need by continuing to ensure families have essential legal rights.
We’re also continuing to support 14-year-old SEND campaigner Tee-Jay Chetwynd’s petition, “Protect legal right to support for children with SEND”, which is working towards the crucial milestone of 100,000 signatures.
Every signature helps to show just how strongly families, professionals and supporters want children’s existing SEND rights protected. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to sign and share the petition with your networks and help us push it towards 100,000 signatures before 14th October.
Sign the petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/764268
SENsational Learning in Action
This month, we’re celebrating the fantastic progress made by Student M, who has been working with tutor Jess for over 12 months on speech and language and sensory processing needs.
When they first began working together, Student M found it difficult to engage with many adult-led activities and had minimal speech. Through personalised, interest-led learning, Jess has helped build their confidence, communication and engagement over time.
September brought a particularly special milestone, with Student M sounding out their first CVC word using clear speech sounds and blending skills.
Jess continues to use Student M’s interests to make learning meaningful and enjoyable, weaving activities such as play-doh and functional literacy naturally into their sessions.
A wonderful example of the progress that can be made when learning is shaped around the individual child.
September Resources for Families & SEND Professionals
September has also been a busy month on the SENsational Tutors blog, with new resources created to support families, carers and SEND professionals. From understanding school avoidance to finding the right specialist tutor, here are three of our latest articles to explore:
Back-to-School Stationery for Neurodivergent Learners
Discover SEND-friendly stationery ideas that can support organisation, sensory needs, focus and independence as children settle into the new academic year.
Autism and EBSA: Why Autistic Children Avoid School and How to Help
Explore why school can become overwhelming for some autistic children, and practical ways families and professionals can offer support with greater understanding and flexibility.
What Expectations Can I Have From My Child’s School SENCO?
Understanding the SENCO role can help families feel more confident when working with their child’s school. This blog explores what parents and carers can reasonably expect from a SENCO, including communication, support planning and working together to meet a child’s individual needs.
What Our Families Are Saying
We’re always grateful to hear from the families we support, and September brought some lovely feedback about the difference personalised SEND tuition can make.
September 24th- “My child’s confidence has come on in leaps and bounds and the detailed feedback I receive each week is excellent. Communication is excellent - there is always someone to talk to if needed and I feel that they really care about my child and our family.” Read the full review here.
September 27th- “Seeing my daughter have a positive experience with learning again has meant so much to me.I’m also grateful for the support I’ve had as a parent.” Read the full review here.
Team Update
September has brought some changes within the SENsational Tutors team. After many years supporting the organisation as Recruitment Manager, Jess is stepping away from this role. We’re incredibly grateful for everything she has contributed over the years and are delighted that she will remain part of the SENsational Tutors community as a Tutor and EOTAS Coordinator.
We’re also pleased to welcome Millie to the team as our new Recruitment and Administrative Executive. Millie brings relevant industry experience to the role and will be supporting the team across recruitment and administration as she settles in. We’re delighted to have her on board and look forward to the experience and insight she’ll bring to the SENsational Tutors team.
We would also like to share that Hannah has been promoted to Managing Director of SENsational tutors. She has been instrumental to the business since she joined and looks after the day-to-day running behind the scenes and always keeps the families and tutors we support at the heart of what she does.
Looking for Specialist SEND Support?
At SENsational Tutors, we support children, young people and families across the UK with personalised SEND tuition and EOTAS support. Our specialist tutors work with a wide range of needs, including autism, PDA, ADHD and SEMH, adapting their approach around each learner’s individual strengths, interests and goals.
Whether supporting an individual learner or developing an EOTAS package, our team can work collaboratively with Local Authorities to provide specialist, personalised education around each young person’s needs.Book a free consultation call today to find out more.
Coming Up in October
October is set to be another exciting month for the SENsational Tutors team.
On 9th October, we’ll be attending the Tes SEND Show at the Business Design Centre in London, bringing together professionals, organisations and experts from across the SEND sector for two days of learning, discussion and collaboration.
The Natural History Museum is hosting its next Dawnosaurs relaxed morning for neurodivergent children and their families on Saturday 10th October, 8.00–10.00am.
Tutors may also wish to share this special relaxed performance taking place at The Actors’ Church in Covent Garden on 14th October at 7pm. The one-hour concert has been created especially with the special needs community in mind, combining immersive lighting and live music in a relaxed setting. It’s designed to be welcoming for those who may be “classical curious” and would like to experience classical music in a more accessible environment.
Later in the month, on 28th October, SENsational Tutors will also be celebrating at the 2026 International Business Awards® in Paris, where this year’s Stevie Award winners will be recognised at the Pullman Paris Montparnasse.
We’re looking forward to a busy month of connecting with others across the SEND community, celebrating achievements and continuing to champion personalised education for children and young people.
A Final Word
Thank you, as always, to our families, tutors and wider SEND community for your continued support. We’re looking forward to another month of championing personalised education and helping children and young people thrive.
