Supporting Education and Announcing a Winner in Twitter Spaces

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THREAD - Hello and welcome to our Twitter Spaces thread on 'Supporting the Education and Reintegration of Learners Not Attending School.' twitter.com/i/spaces/1DXGyveBEDdJM?s=20

We're also excited to be announcing the ##winner of our #Floral #SENCOplanner competition! #EdChat #SENCO #planner #Teacherplanner

This is Lucy and Jonathan, co-founders of @HeadteacherChat. As experienced school leaders, we are deeply committed to supporting those who work in education. Stay tuned as we share insights and advice to address the issue at hand. #HeadteacherChat #Education #Reintegration #SEN

Tonight we're joined by special guests @rebeccaleek_, @ShazadAli_01 , and Lee Bell from @Edclass_, experts in the field of supporting non-attending students. They'll be sharing their expertise to help you.

INTRO - Supporting 'ghost children' – those not attending school is a significant challenge. Schools are stretched thin with declining budgets, limited resources, and an ever-increasing need for support, making it tougher to assist struggling pupils. #GhostChildren #Education

Pandemic aftershocks have worsened this situation. The services crucial for supporting children who find school challenging are strained, with no sign of improvement in sight. Your concerns echo this, making it evident that the problem is larger than ever. #PandemicEffects

When a pupil is absent from school due to ill health, SEND or behaviour needs, it becomes a real challenge to ensure that they receive high-quality education.

The DFE's reports in March 2023 highlight the critical importance of school attendance for children's life chances. #SEND #DFE

Despite attendance improvement post-pandemic, the DFE data from May 2023 indicates that absence rates are higher than pre-Covid, both authorised and unauthorised. This underscores the need to take action and find solutions. #CovidImpact

Let's now turn to our guests tonight for insights and practical solutions. Lee Bell, Director of Operations @edclass_, has been working within the educational industry for 15 years, helping schools to improve the educational offering for students outside mainstream education.

Shazad Ali, Lead Alternate Provision Manager at Bradford Academy @bradfordacademy, is a qualified Behavioural Management professional. He brings 6+ years of experience in leading and handling responsibilities within Pastoral Support and Behaviour domains. #EducationLeaders

@rebeccaleek_ who is Executive Headteacher at Suffolk Primary Heads Association and an experienced school leader/headteacher. Rebecca is passionate about flexi schooling and ensuring that all children get the education they deserve.

Tonight, we'll be discussing @EDClass, how it supports schools with these challenges, their working model, and their impact. #EDClass #EducationSupport

We asked our guests what the biggest problems in school were at the moment? 'Sometimes leaders feel worried about making big changes such as reducing timetables and changing the way that pupils work.

Our world has evolved, and new ways to work as an adult are coming, but the way that we ask children to work has not kept up.'

'There is a lot more anxiety than before. Even those learners who are in specialist provision are struggling. We ask ourselves lots of questions - how do we support our learners? How do we ensure that they are getting an effective education? How do we know?

We asked our guests - What are the most effective strategies? 'Working with families and children- trying to find out why they are not wanting to be in school, and working out a way forward that works for them. .....

Get to know your staff too - do you have the right solution in school? Knowing your toolkit, being open minded, really listening and coming up with a plan that is really calm and then it will work. '

'Knowing your learners and knowing your families. Know what strategies work and what don't. Build the provision around the child. Ask the question - what could we do to help support you? It's a really powerful step forward.

We asked Lee about @edclass_ and they supports schools and learners? EdClass is an online provision that works in partnership with schools and families, working with students to get a high quality education.

Edclass helps to support pupils with qualified teachers and helps to make that connection between the home and school. Teachers work hard to support reintegration back into school in a way that is best for everyone involved.

EdClass uses diagnostic tools to find out what pupils need, and puts a curriculum together that meets the needs of each child in partnership with the school, LA and family.

Success stories from @edclass_ show that pupils do come back to school and start to access learning again.

'EdClass is like having a team of extra staff that helps me to know what learning has been accessed, what hasn't - it's like having wrap around support. As a leader it gives me confidence to know that it my pupils are being looked after.' @edclass_

A pupil was not coming to school, but with the support of @edclass_ their attendance improved drastically. Another who was at risk of permanent exclusion is now reintegrated back into education.

'The DFE has reported that persistent attendance is now around 25% - that is a quarter of all pupils who are affected. Just simply saying that all pupils must go to school isn't the answer. We need to look at different offers for pupils to see what works for them. '

There are students that are not attending school - so there needs to be an alternative provision such as something like @edclass_ - there are lots of opportunities for you to explore.

As long as you are doing everything that you should be doing - making sure that pupils are safe, engaged and being looked after .... you are doing it right.

@edclass_ works with all key people to create a plan for the child. To find out more about @edclass_ visit headteacherchat.com/products/edclass-kzpha

Thank you for joining us. By discussing and supporting each other, we can make a difference to children, education staff and families. The work that EdClass is doing to support this cause is remarkable. #EdChat #EducationSupport

Tune into our next Spaces session next week at 7:30 pm on 'Managing stress as a school leader with @MariaBrosnan of PursuitWellbeing.' You can find more about what’s happening in education on our website or by signing up for our newsletter at headteachers.org. #Education

We are also excited to announce the winner of the #SENCO Floral Planner - which was super popular with several hundred entries! Congratulations @amyvinni Please could you send us a DM with your details so that we can get that sent to you? shop.headteacherchat.com/collections/senco

Quote of the day: "Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." - Rita Pierson