EvidenceforLearning

📢 Announcing our latest keynote contributor

We are delighted to welcome Janet Collins, Head of the Specialist Provision Unit within the SEND and AP Directorate at the Department for Education (DfE) to the EfL LearningShared National Conference 2026.

Janet will lead a key session titled:
“SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First”

This session will provide valuable insight into the direction of SEND reform and what these developments may mean for specialist providers and the wider system. It offers a timely opportunity to hear directly from the SEND and AP Directorate and to reflect on how policy can be translated into meaningful provision and practice.

Roundtable Discussions
In keeping with the collaborative nature of EfL LearningShared events, Janet will also facilitate two roundtable discussions, creating space for colleagues to share perspectives and contribute to the ongoing conversation:

Roundtable 1: Delivering for the Long-Term
What infrastructure is needed to enable the sector to provide robust, specialist packages for pupils requiring long-term support?

Roundtable 2: Bridging the Gap
What do we need in place to empower specialist organisations to deliver effective outreach support to mainstream settings?
Who should attend?

This session will be particularly relevant for specialist providers, school and trust leaders, and SEND practitioners who are shaping inclusive provision across their settings.

📅 Friday 8th May 2026
📍 Friends House, London

We would be delighted to welcome you to join the conversation and contribute to this important dialogue.

👉 Reserve your place: https://www.evidenceforlearning.net/nationalconferences/

Thank you to everyone who joined the Evidence for Learning online event on the Schools White Paper and SEND Reforms on Tuesday 10th March 2026.

More than 740 school, trust, college and system leaders and practitioners registered to share reflections and discuss the recently published Schools White Paper and the proposed SEND reforms.

The session brought together colleagues from across the sector, including panellists who have been working directly with ministers and the Department for Education to help shape and influence the paper and the reforms, as well as school and trust leaders reflecting on how the paper and reforms might translate into practice.

The conversation explored both the policy perspective and how the
proposals could translate into provision and practice in schools and trusts, a leaders begin to consider the next steps.

If you weren’t able to join us, we're delighted to share the recording and reflections from the event with you here:

👉 https://www.evidenceforlearning.net/efl-schools-white-paper-virtual-meeting-recording-and-next-steps/

Thank you again to everyone who contributed to such an important and thoughtful discussion.

EfL Schools White Paper Virtual Meeting - Recording, reflections and next steps - Evidence for Learning Thank you to everyone who joined the Evidence for Learning online event on the Schools White Paper and SEND Reforms on Tuesday 10th March 2026.

Schools White Paper and SEND Reform Consultation

The Schools White Paper and SEND Reform consultation signal some of the most significant changes to the education system and policy in a generation.

At Evidence for Learning, we’re sharing an initial perspective from James Waller, EfL Advisory Board member, Headteacher of Sunningdale School, and Chair of EQUALS.

James was invited to a roundtable discussion at 10 Downing Street with the Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Keir Starmer, to discuss the reforms directly. This blog captures James' initial reflections following those conversations and the formal launch of the White Paper on the 23rd.

Drawing on his deep and extensive experience, James shares what these changes could mean for schools in particular. He reflects on the potential for clearer expectations for EHCP delivery, the introduction of National Inclusion Standards, and the growing need for stronger collaboration between mainstream and specialist provision, including what that looks like in practice.

👉 Read the full blog here:
https://www.evidenceforlearning.net/send-white-paper-2026-2/

Schools White Paper and SEND Reform Consultation - Evidence for Learning An initial view written by James Waller, EfL Advisory Board member; Headteacher of Sunningdale School; and Chair of EQUALS on the Schools White Paper and SEND Reform Consultation

🎙️ Discussing, Reflecting & Responding to the Schools White Paper (FREE ONLINE EVENT): March 10th (3:45pm – 5pm)

With the release of the Schools White Paper and further consultation on SEND this virtual event provides a space to reflect on the paper, key reforms / policy change and what they might mean for us as school, Trust and system leaders – more importantly to consider how we can turn policy into provision and practice that leads to aspirational opportunities and outcomes for all learners regardless of their needs and starting points.

We’ll be hosting two panels…

Panel 1: Policy and Reform
For a panel discussion around policy we are fortunate to be joined by colleagues who have been working directly with ministers and the DfE to help shape and influence the paper and subsequent reforms:

James Waller (Sunningdale School, Headteacher and EQUALS, Chair)
Simon Knight (Frank Wise School, Joint Headteacher and DfE SEND & Inclusion EAG)
Margaret Mulholland (ASCL, SEND & Inclusion Specialist)
Benedict Coffin (DfE, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, National System Division)

Panel 2: Policy into Practice
As we know, the white paper together with its reforms and recommendations mean very little without the leaders and practitioners who turn policy into practice on a daily basis.

In our second panel discussion, we look forward to hearing from outstanding school, Trust and system leaders as to their perspectives on the paper and any early plans they have to bring the reforms and recommendations to life.

Katherine Walsh (River Learning Trust, Director of Inclusion and CST, SEND Community Chair)
Cheryl Gaughan (James Montgomery Academy Trust, Strategic Lead for SEND and Inclusion and EQUALS, Vice Chair)
Cathryn Falconer (Danecourt School and Maritime Academy Trust, Headteacher)
Matt Rooney (St Giles School, Executive Principal)

Additional panelists / speakers to be announced shortly

Q&A Session: Connect and Share
As with all our events we place a great emphasis on connectivity so there will be opportunities through breakout space conversations to share your views and build your own professional networks throughout, as well as interact with our panellists in Q&A sessions.

The event is open to colleagues from the mainstream (primary and secondary), specialist, AP, Early Years and post 16 sectors.

With over 275 colleagues registered and the EfL community comprising 1,200+ mainstream and specialist schools, trusts, colleges and APs including over 90% of specialist schools and colleges, this should be a good opportunity for us to connect and support each other during this time of unprecedented change.

If you’d like to attend, please register in advance using the link below. You will then receive your unique URL / invitation to join the meeting on 10th March.

👉 https://www.evidenceforlearning.net/virtual-cpld-networking-events/

Virtual CPLD & Networking Events - Evidence for Learning Virtual CPLD & Networking Events Across the academic year we will be hosting a number of virtual CPLD and networking events (as part of the EfL LearningShared CPLD Programme) that offer a deep dive into key areas of SEND and inclusion. The focus of these events is to connect like minded colleagues w...

Preparing for life beyond the classroom: learning that supports aspiration at Hawthorns School

At Hawthorns School, aspiration starts with purpose.

Jonathan Curtis, Rachel Kay and colleagues reflect on how a strengths-based approach, everyday independence and meaningful real-world experiences are woven into learning across the school.

This blog explores how clarity around curriculum, context and partnership with families helps children with SEND build skills and confidence that transfer beyond the classroom and into life outside the school gates.

👉 Read the Hawthorns School story: https://www.evidenceforlearning.net/a-clear-purposeful-curriculum/

Preparing for life: How Hawthorns School is supporting learners to achieve aspirational outcomes beyond the school gates - Evidence for Learning Be inspired by how Hawthorns School have adopted a clear, purposeful curriculum with strong family partnerships to support children with SEND.

Preparing young people for life beyond school: lessons from Wilson Stuart School

What happens when a school decides that “good on paper” is no longer good enough?

Tom Elmes shares why, and how Wilson Stuart School made the decision to move away from accreditation-led learning and refocus their curriculum around real-life outcomes. From listening to alumni voices to strengthening community-based learning, this piece explores how ambition can remain high, even when progress looks different for learners with SEND.

👉 Read the Wilson Stuart School story: https://www.evidenceforlearning.net/accreditation-driven-learning/

What does it really mean to prepare young people for life beyond school? How Wilson Stuart School reshaped their curriculum around real life outcomes - Evidence for Learning Learn why Wilson Stewart School moved away from accreditation-driven learning and rebuilt their curriculum using authentic evidence to show real progress.

Rethinking ambition: how St Giles School defines progress that truly matters

At St Giles School in Retford ambition isn’t measured on spreadsheets and paperwork alone. It’s shaped by clear pathways, personal learning goals and strong partnerships with families.

In this blog, Matt Rooney and Sarah Taylor share how they’ve built a curriculum that supports pupils to succeed now, while also preparing them for life beyond school. Progress is seen in communication, independence, confidence and belonging and captured in ways that reflect what genuinely matters to pupils and their families.

👉 Read the St Giles School story: https://www.evidenceforlearning.net/personal-learning-goals/

Ambition and aspiration for all - an insight into St Giles School, Retford - Evidence for Learning How St Giles School uses purposeful curriculum pathways, personal learning goals and family partnership through Evidence for Learning to capture holistic progress.

SEND & Inclusion in Mainstream

A new year brings a renewed focus. Many mainstream schools are currently thinking about, or are in the midst of developing additional / enhanced resource provisions.

What are some of the key considerations when designing an appropriate offer and provision that supports ambitious outcomes for every learner, meeting need whatever their starting point? And how do you navigate this to deliver a truly inclusive SEND offer in the context of diminishing resources?

If these questions are front of mind for your setting this year, now is the time to join us.

Our FREE “Leading SEND & Inclusion in Mainstream” Conference at Yate Academy, Bristol brings together national and regional experts to share best practice and explore key themes including curriculum design, workforce development and delivering an effective SEND provision in mainstream settings.

With plenty of opportunities to network and discuss approaches with colleagues from across the sector.

Have you booked your place to join the conversation?
https://www.evidenceforlearning.net/sendinmainstream/

As the term comes to an end and the winter festive break is in sight, we'd like to share a fantastic opportunity for networking and professional development that you might want to put in your calendar for the new year.

On the 30th of January, we’re hosting a free “Leading SEND & Inclusion in Mainstream” conference, bringing together school, trust and system leaders and practitioners to reflect on what’s changing, and what really matters in SEND and Inclusion.

We're looking forward to a day focused on collaboration, shared thinking and rich, practical insights, shaped by recent and imminent developments including changes to Ofsted and accountability; Curriculum and Assessment Review; an Enrichment Framework and a White paper from DfE...Coming together to discuss, share and explore approaches to an increasingly challenging and changing landscape and what’s ahead for 2026.

More details and to book your place: https://www.evidenceforlearning.net/sendinmainstream/



👍 Please share with any colleagues...

SEND in Mainstream event - Evidence for Learning Leading SEND & Inclusion in a mainstream setting Conferences A unique networking and collaborative learning and development opportunity… These events are an opportunity for leaders at schools, colleges and settings across the country to come together for a day of sharing and development. Our day i...

*** FREE WEBINAR ***

How to Talk to Children and Young People About War | Understanding and Supporting our Refugee Children
A Free Webinar led by Dr Tina Rae (Child Psychologist and Award Winning Author)

Date: Mon 4th April 2022

Time: 4pm

Duration: 1.5 hrs

At this current time, we are all hugely distressed by the images of the war in Ukraine and particularly of the children and their families fleeing the bombardment and seeking refuge and escape from the horror and trauma of war.

Many in our schools are getting ready to welcome in these children and young people and considering ways in which they can best support this transition and nurture their families within our communities.

In this webinar Tina will guide us through practical ways in which we can ensure that our schools are places of sanctuary, providing the nurture and trauma informed care that our children and young people so need at this current time.

She will highlight specific strategies that you can use to support our refugee children as they transition, to ensure that they feel safe and welcomed. There are a number of evidence-based strategies that can easily be adopted and shared. She will also highlight ways in which we can prepare the children who are in our school communities to welcome their refugee friends, and also identify the best and safest ways to discuss the war with our children and young people.

Tina will discuss the following:

- How to talk to children and young people about war
- How we recognise trauma -related behaviours make use of ‘watchful waiting’ to identify vulnerability factors
- The need to recognise that all refugee children are different, many will be resilient and not require a bespoke therapeutic intervention – (this may be needed later)
- The importance of treating every child individually and listening to their voice - as one refugee child said ‘I wish they’d asked me about the football team I supported rather than my journey to this country. It just re-traumatised me.’
- How we build and reinforce resilience factors recognise the strengths of individual children and young people
- Using writing, physical, and calming approaches
- How we create safe spaces and make use of anxiety reducing easy wins
- How we ensure schools as sanctuaries in which we build connection, safety, and opportunities for regulation.

It is hoped that this webinar will demystify some of the concerns that people may have and provide you with confidence and reassurance you need to undertake this task effectively.

Tina will emphasise how we are already doing a great deal in terms of implementing trauma informed approaches and there will be opportunities to think about how we can build upon these to further enhance our provisions.

There will also be an opportunity to discuss the presentation and a Q&A session for delegates to participate in.

Register to attend and access / download some free resources (produced by Tina) for your school / classroom:

https://www.evidenceforlearning.net/dr_tina_rae_children_war_refugees/