New Schools Network event

We were really pleased to be able to go along to the New Schools Network event recently.

This was a gathering for those planning to set up Free Schools.

There was a real feeling of excitement and the pioneering spirit was much in evidence.  The headline speakers shared their experiences and highlighted both the benefits and the practical difficulties they had encountered.

Rachel Wolf spoke of the strategy for Free Schools and the raft of supports available.

At this stage there was no real reference to SEN provision, which is a shame.   There is a real opportunity to develop whole school approaches to inclusion at the outset of the planning process.   Children and young people with SEN will feature within the pupil populations in free schools - we know this purely on a statistical basis.

The next stage for ASEND is to explore ways that we can support Free Schools and equip them to respond to the needs of SEN pupils.

We'll keep you posted.

Less than 2 hours to go till the ASEND Networking Event

ASEND Networking Event - 17th November 2011

We are really looking forward to meeting many of you at our free ASEND Networking event on the evening of 17th November 2011.

If you are interested in finding out a bit more about ASEND, and are thinking about joining us as an ASEND Advisor, then this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Contact karen.walkden@asend.co.uk for details of the North London venue, and to book your place.

We hope to run these events on a termly basis - so that existing and prospective Advisors have a chance to come together in a relaxed setting to connect with one another.  It will also give us an opportunity to talk about ASEND developments, and to create continuing professional development time across all the different specialisms.

See you there!