Send Teach

Hello Poole!

We are pleased to offer the expertise of a Senior Specialist Tutor in your area with 6+ years of experience. In-person and online sessions are available from Monday- Wednesday.

Contact us for a consultation regarding your child's unique needs.

Welcome to Gill!

We are excited to introduce our newest Senior Specialist Tutor, joining us from Poole.

With over 30 years of experience in education, alongside her work as a counsellor, Gill is passionate about supporting children and families in a way that is both compassionate and evidence-informed.

We are so pleased to have her on the team!

What's Really Going on Under the Surface

"Bored," "annoying," "won't listen" - sometimes it's something else entirely

When routine disappears overnight, many SEN children feel it before they can say it.
What looks like difficult behaviour is often one of these underneath:

😟 Anxious - the unknown of "what's happening today" is unsettling
😤 Overstimulated - siblings’ home, more noise, less predictability
😴 Exhausted - masking and coping all year catches up in the holidays
😢 Lost - missing the structure and people that make school feel safe

You're not doing anything wrong. Your child isn't being "naughty." They're adjusting.

What's the biggest feeling coming up for your child this summer?

Managing the "I don't want to" moments

When your child refuses to do anything school-related over summer

It's one of the most common summer struggles, and it's not defiance, it's usually protection. After a hard year, some children need distance from anything that feels like "school" before they can re-engage.

Don't force it in week one, let them decompress first

Reframe it, call it "detective work" or "a challenge," not "homework"

Praise effort, not accuracy

Watch for small windows of curiosity and use them

Some summers, rest is the most important subject

There's no failure here, just recovery time.

Helping Them Name It

They can't manage a feeling they can't name

For many SEN children, the summer holidays bring big emotions with no easy words attached. A few small things can help:

🎭 Use a feelings chart or emoji cards instead of asking "what's wrong?"
🐻 Model it yourself - "I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed today too"
🎨 Let feelings come out through drawing or play, not just talking
⏳ Give it time - some children need to calm before they can explain
💛 One word is enough - "big," "loud," "too much" all count

Naming a feeling is the first step to managing it - for us too.
Save this for a tricky afternoon 🔖

Everyday Learning at Home

Here's how to keep learning going over the summer using everyday moments:

• Maths in the supermarket, totals, how much change, weighing fruit.
• 10 minutes of reading together, any book counts
• Reading a recipe and measuring ingredients while baking
• Planning a day out, routes, times, budgeting
• A simple diary or scrapbook of the summer

Little and often beats a big sit-down session every time. 💛

What everyday learning moments work for your family? 👇

DIY Learning - Keeping it Low-Pressure

Worried your child will "forget everything" over summer? Here's the reassurance you need

A few short, low-pressure activities a week are enough to keep skills warm, no need to recreate the classroom at home.

📋 Use a simple visual checklist so they know what's expected
🎮 Try educational apps or games instead of worksheets
🗣️ Talk through what they're doing rather than testing them
🕐 Same time each day if possible — predictability helps
🙌 Celebrate the attempt, not just the right answer

You're not their teacher, and you don't need to be. Just their guide.

Need a few ideas tailored to your child? Our tutors are here to help

September is closer than it feels, and spaces are already filling up

Our tutors will have more in-person availability from next term, and the most popular slots are going fast.

• First pick of times, get the day that works for you
• A dedicated tutoring manager to match the right tutor
• A settled start to term, no scramble in week one
• Continuity if your child's already tutoring with us during term time.

For SEN children especially, consistency matters, so booking early means we can set your child up with the right fit from day one.

For SEN children especially, consistency matters, so booking early means we can set your child up with the right fit from day one.

Ready to secure your September slot? Book here: https://www.sendteach.co.uk/special-needs-tutoring

Surviving (Not Just Getting Through) the Holidays

Summer holidays with your child can be wonderful and relentless in the same afternoon. A few reminders for the parents holding it together:

🔋 Your child's meltdown isn't a reflection of your parenting
🙋 It's okay to need a break too, recovery time isn't just for kids
🔁 A tough day doesn't undo the progress made all year
👥 Connect with other SEND parents, you don't have to explain everything to them
💛 Good enough is enough. You don't need to fix every feeling

You're doing more than it feels like on the hard days.

Sensory-Friendly Summer Learning

Learning doesn't have to mean sitting at a desk

For children, the classroom setup isn't always the best way to learn, and summer is the perfect time to find out what actually works for your child.

Try learning on the floor, in a den, or outside
Adding movement breaks and active learning
Keeping a cold drink and a fidget toy nearby
Short bursts (10–15 mins) beat one long session
Follow their interest, dinosaurs, space, football stats all count

The goal isn't a perfect worksheet. It's keeping their brain curious and confident. 💛
What's worked for your child? Tell us below 👇