In this episode of Twinkl's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) podcast, SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant, Georgina chats to Gary Aubin all about supporting children with SEND with transitions. Whether that be moving from primary to secondary school or from one year group to another. Twinkl Symbols - My New School Transition Booklet https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/9cvge SEND Transitions- Top Tips for Moving to a new class https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/7lcjw Top Tips for Supporting...
Jun 03, 2025•10 min
In this podcast episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) podcast, Georgina Durrant and Lynn How explore the realities of being a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCO). Lynn shares her passion for supporting children and young people with SEND, offering insights into the rewards and challenges of the role. She discusses the highlights of being a SENDCO, the pressures they face, and the ways they navigate their responsibilities, including the gradu...
May 06, 2025•33 min
This podcast episode from our Twinkl SEND podcast "SEND in the Experts" hosted by Georgina Durrant, focuses on supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Georgina is joined by Joe Faultley, an autistic and neurodivergent advocate with dyspraxia and anxiety, who works at the Council for Disabled Children and is an active member of the SEND and education community. Joe shares his personal experiences, insights on autism advocacy, and advice for improving education ...
Apr 08, 2025•26 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disability podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Colin Foley from the ADHD foundation. They discuss what ADHD is and how ADHD can present. Colin shares advice on supporting children and young people with ADHD and they also dispel myths surrounding ADHD. They also discuss the impact that puberty can have on ADHD symptoms. ADHD foundation's website: https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/ ADHD resources: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/krero...
Mar 12, 2025•46 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to the CEO of nasen. They discuss her career, her passion for supporting children and young people with SEND and her vision for the future of SEND education in the UK. They also discuss the nasen awards, nasen Live and the nasen assured status that Twinkl Symbols received. nasen assured Twinkl Symbols: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/symbols Twinkl Symbols is a collection of visual symbols designed ...
Feb 12, 2025•40 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Podcast, Georgina Durrant was delighted to be joined by Dr Gavin Morgan, chair of the Division of Educational and Child Psychology at the British Psychological Society. Georgina and Gavin discuss a whole range of topics, including: The role of an Educational Psychologist (EP) and when teachers might need them. When EPs are needed for EHC needs assessments The impact of a shortage of EPs Workload of EPs How schools can work ...
Jan 08, 2025•28 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Podcast, Georgina Durrant is joined by Jo, the CEO of the Down Syndrome Charity Learn and Thrive. Jo is Mum to a teenager with Down's syndrome. Much of the inspiration for the Learn and Thrive charity's projects come from her real-life experience of supporting a wide range of young people with Down's syndrome through her work in the charity and education sectors. The charity provides free online educational resources for the SEN c...
Dec 04, 2024•40 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) podcast (SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant), Georgina Durrant is joined by Natalie Packer. Natalie is an Independent Education Consultant, specialising in SEND and school improvement. She develops and delivers a wide range of training and support, including SEND reviews, to schools and multi-academy trusts. She works closely with several trusts to support their strategic development of SEND and is a trustee of Learn...
Nov 13, 2024•52 min
*Disclaimer: Please be aware that this episode contains strong language.* In this episode, of our special educational needs and disability podcast, SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant. Georgina speaks to Sue Cowley! Sue Cowley is a presenter, teacher trainer and author of more than 30 books on education. A qualified early years teacher, she has worked in early years settings, primary, secondary and international schools in the UK and overseas. Sue’s international bestseller ' Getting Your ...
Oct 08, 2024•48 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disability Podcast, Georgina Durrant is joined by Steph Curtis. Steph, mother of two teenage girls aged 18 and 16, launched her blog, "Steph's Two Girls" on the day her younger daughter Sasha was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2. Steph experienced a ‘lightbulb moment’ soon after when she came across descriptions of a specific profile of autism known as Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). The features of PDA resonated deeply with her, as ...
Sep 11, 2024•46 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) podcast 'SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant', Georgina Durrant chats to Stephanie Smith, Head of School at Cambridgeshire’s first state-maintained special free school provision for young autistic students the 'Cavendish School' They discuss everything about making schools better for autistic children and young people.. from removing attendance barriers and supporting EBSA, trauma-informed approaches, creating a senso...
Aug 08, 2024•46 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) podcast 'SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant', Georgina Durrant chats to 2x Paralympic Gold Medallist Danielle Brown MBE! Danielle Brown MBE is an award winning children's author. She's also a double Paralympic gold medallist in archery, five-time World Champion and was World Number 1 for her entire career. , she made history when she became the first disabled athlete to represent England - and won gold - in an able-b...
Aug 08, 2024•25 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Podcast, we switch things around and welcome host Georgina Durrant on the show as a guest for the first time. Our guest host is Emily Powel and she interviews Georgina about her latest book 'SEND Strategies for the Primary Years' published by Bloomsbury. With as many as 13% of children in schools in England receiving some form of SEN support, and waiting times of up to 3-5 years for a child to receive a formal diagnosis, Georgina ...
Aug 08, 2024•29 min
Isolation booths in schools: Helpful or harmful? In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilites (SEND) Podcast 'SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant' Georgina speaks to Andrea Cartwright from Thrive all about the use of isolation and isolation booths in schools and the impacts on children. Download our Lanyard Sized Restorative Conversation Prompts here https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/flmig Look at our infomation sheet on Tantrums vs Meltdowns here https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1j...
May 07, 2024•47 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disability Podcast, Georgina Durrant speaks to Gary Aubin, author of The Lone SENDCO about SEND CPD for teachers and SENDCOs. They discuss SENDCos leading school CPD, what effective SEND CPD looks like in schools, receiving SEND CPD and the SENDCO qualification (NASENCO) being replaced by the new SENDCO NPQ. Watch this episode on youtube here https://youtu.be/aaqxtTP-ng8 Have a look at Twinkl's free SEND CPD - Teach Meets here https://www.twin...
Apr 10, 2024•45 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Frances Akinde, a former Special School Headteacher and qualified SENDCO now SEND inspector and advisor. Georgina and Frances discuss what Neurodiversity Celebration Week means to her as a Neurodivergent educator as well as her tips for making schools more inclusive to both neurodivergent learners and neurodivergent staff. Read all about Neurodiversity Celebration Week here https://www.twi...
Mar 06, 2024•54 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Need and Disability (SEND) Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Bethan Grant and Sarah Timms from ERIC (the children's bowel and bladder charity) about everything from more children arriving in reception who aren't yet toilet trained (and how we can support them) to the controversy surrounding some schools locking toilets at lesson time (and it's impact on children with toileting needs). Useful resources: Toilet procedure poster https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l...
Feb 07, 2024•53 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disability Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to author and SENDCO, Ginny Bootman about being a SENDCO. Ginny provides advice about developing and maintaining good home-school relationships as well as practical advice on managing SENDCO workload and prioritising tasks. Resources: SENDCO Time Management Resource https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/mdz0w Ofsted Questions for SENDCOs - https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/vuo1f Applying for an EHCP - https://www.twink...
Jan 17, 2024•55 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Podcast, Georgina Durrant is joined by Dr Gina Gómez de la Cuesta to discuss LEGO® - based therapy. Gina explains the origins and aims of LEGO® - based therapy, who can benefit from it and how to ensure it is neurodiversity-affirming. Gina is the founderand director of Play Included® and her Brick-by-Brick® programme is the only LEGO® - based therapy endorsed by the LEGO Foundation. She talks us through how teachers can set up LEG...
Dec 06, 2023•35 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Podcast Georgina Durrant chats to Sarah Johnson all about SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs). They discuss what SEMH means and how teachers can best support children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs. In this episode Sarah provides advice and information specifically on anxiety, Emotionally Based School Avoidances (EBSA), phobias, social anxiety and situational mutism. Useful resources l...
Nov 08, 2023•53 min
There are more children with DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) than there are autistic children and dyslexic children, yet DLD is still relatively unknown. In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant speaks to Louise Burton from Speech and Language Link to find out what DLD is, its impacts and what schools can do to support children and young people with DLD. DLD resources: Developmental Language Disorder Activity Pack Development Language Disorder (DLD) Mind M...
Oct 10, 2023•32 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant is joined by returning guest Nikki Saunders, who shares the exciting news that her Children’s Books (The Eddie Series) aimed at families of autistic children have now become a Children’s TV series on Sky Kids! ‘Ready Eddie Go!’ follows 6-year-old Eddie who is autistic, as he navigates everyday real-life experiences for the very first time, everything from getting his hair cut to trying new food. During the podcast, Nikki ...
Sep 17, 2023•40 min
In this 'Back to School' episode, Georgina Durrant is joined by Dr Emma Kell, who shares fantastic, practical advice about teacher/SENDCO wellbeing. They discuss the importance of well-being not being an 'add on' but woven through the school culture. They also chat about the common causes of stress for teachers (including Ofsted) and Emma's top tips for surviving teaching without 'imploding, exploding or walking away'. Relevant resources linked to this episode: Staff Wellbeing in School Pack of ...
Aug 29, 2023•51 min
*Content Warning: This episode of SEND in the experts discusses topics which some listeners may find distressing. In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Robert White. Robert White describes himself as ‘the only Asperger, gay, dyslexic, cross-lateral, quarter- welsh, webbed-toed, hyper- sensitive, Gluten-intolerant, pseudo-genius, musical comedian there is…. Probably’ and you probably know him from his hilarious performances on Britain’s Got Talent in ...
Aug 01, 2023•30 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disability Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Louisa Reeves from the charity Speech and Language UK (formerly ICAN). Louisa provides an overview of the various Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) (including Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)). She explains how to identify children with SLCN in the classroom, the process for formal diagnosis and what teachers can do to support these children in school. Relevant Resources Linked t...
Jul 05, 2023•28 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast. Georgina Durrant chats to Tina Coope, education lead of PANS/PANDAS UK - the only UK charity supporting children and families living with the neuropsychiatric conditions PANS and PANDAS. PANS and PANDAS are a set of acute onset neuropsychiatric conditions that may include the development of OCD, tics or severe eating restrictions, alongside cognitive, behavioural and neurological symptoms. They can cause severe difficulties with learning,...
Jun 06, 2023•37 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast. Georgina Durrant chats to deaf activist, Samantha Baines, a multi award-winning author, actress and broadcaster. She is the author of critically acclaimed children's books with Deaf main characters. You may recognise her from appearances on ITV's Loose Women, Sky News and Andrew Neil's This Week or acting roles in Netflix’s The Crown, Call the Midwife, Silent Witness and Magic Mike Live (directed by Channing Tatum). She is a regular on BB...
May 03, 2023•55 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant, Georgina Durrant chats to Suzy Rowland. Suzy is an author, Autism & ADHD Specialist and Speaker and founder of the #happyinschool project. Georgina and Suzy discuss Neurodiversity, Race and Exclusions. Relevant Resources & Articles: What is Neurodiversity? CPD . Autism - Spotting the Signs and Developing Classroom Strategies - Inclusion CPD . SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant Podc...
Apr 19, 2023•51 min
In this special episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast. Georgina Durrant discusses the SEND & AP Improvement Plan with Claire Coutinho. Claire Coutinho is Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for children, families and wellbeing). They discuss the problems the SEND review identified with the current SEND system and the changes the government is planning to make to improve SEND support and services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabili...
Mar 08, 2023•18 min
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant Klaudia Matasovska discusses the intersection between LGBT+ and SEND. Klaudia Matasovska is an Associate Lecturer in Education, Inclusion and SEND at the University of Derby. She also works as a researcher at Goldsmiths, University of London. She is a doctoral student in the Department of Educational Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her research centres around LGBT+ inclusion with pupi...
Feb 28, 2023•45 min
