Hirstwood Training

Writing: write from the start!

📅 19 June 2026 | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm
🎤 With Carol Allen
🔗 Book here: https://buff.ly/Ah3hlOT

Session 3: Targets to facilitate and support (Part A) ✅

Writing has structure and form. Even at the earliest stages, we can highlight key elements so learners build strong foundations for later work.

In this session, Carol focuses on two essential areas:

🧱 The craft of writing
The building blocks that make writing possible, before letter formation

🧭 Writing conventions
The “rules” that help writing make sense to other people (so marks carry meaning beyond the moment)

Book today and strengthen early writing foundations with clear, teachable targets.

Writing: write from the start!

📅 19 June 2026 | 9.00 am – 12.00 pm
🎤 With Carol Allen
🔗 Book here: https://buff.ly/Ah3hlOT

Session 2: Purpose, genre and form ✅

Writing isn’t just “making marks”. It’s about capturing thoughts and ideas and sharing them with others.

In this session, Carol explores how purpose shapes writing from the earliest stages, so learners understand that writing does something real.

You’ll explore practical ways to build four broad writing purposes:
🧰 Functional writing: writing to do things (labels, lists, signs, choices)
📖 Narrative writing: writing to tell stories (events, characters, sequences)
🗂️ Informational writing: writing to share facts (about me, topics, interests)
✨ Poetic writing: writing for expression (sounds, patterns, feelings, playful language)

Book today and start building meaningful early writing through purpose.

🙌 Empower your unsung heroes!

Teaching Assistants are at the heart of special education. With the right CPD, they can have an even greater impact in the classroom.

Give your TAs the recognition—and training—they deserve with The Big Bundle.

🎯 Give your TAs the tools to thrive—start their CPD today!

👉 https://buff.ly/lFssPGf

Getting Started with Self-Regulation
For neurodivergent learners

📅 25 June 2026 | 9.30 am – 12.30 pm
🎤 With Chris Barson
🔗 Book here: https://buff.ly/IRoYTpl

Not just theory. You’ll leave with resources. ✅

This session includes a breakout activity to create practical tools you can use back in your setting, plus a round-up of helpful supports and a Q&A with Chris.

You’ll leave with:
🧰 Practical resources built during the breakout
🧠 Clear understanding of self-regulation and overload (meltdown, shutdown, burnout, inertia)
🛠️ Low-arousal, sensory and co-regulation strategies you can use straight away
🧭 The 4 Ds framework to guide decisions in the moment
❓ Time to ask your real questions in the Q&A

Book today and leave with tools you can implement immediately.

Getting Started with Self-Regulation
For neurodivergent learners

📅 25 June 2026 | 9.30 am – 12.30 pm
🎤 With Chris Barson
🔗 Book here: https://buff.ly/IRoYTpl

Why attend?
Because you want to leave with usable resources, not just notes. ✅

This session includes a breakout activity where you build a mini-plan or simple activity on a theme (sensory regulation, emotions, problem solving, self-advocacy, mindfulness/cognitive strategies, or a calm kit). You’ll also get a tools round-up and Q&A.

You’ll take away:
👥 A practical resource from the breakout plus ideas shared by other groups
🧰 Low-tech and high-tech tools that fit the learner (not one-size-fits-all)
🤝 Guidance on introducing tools supportively (not as rewards or punishments)
🔁 How to avoid over-reliance and build routines that prevent escalation
✅ A list of options to try straight away

Book today and leave with practical tools and routines you can embed in your setting.

Autism: Why So Sensory? A Twilight!

📅 10 June 2026 | 4 pm – 5 pm
🎤 With Chris Barson
🔗 Book here: https://buff.ly/V0foo8i

When you understand sensory needs, your response changes. ✅

This twilight session helps you decode sensory actions so you can support autistic learners with more confidence in the moment and plan environments that reduce overload.

You’ll take away:
🔍 The “why” behind sensory behaviours (seeking, avoiding, coping, regulating)
🌿 How sensory differences can affect wellbeing, focus, and communication
🧠 Ways to interpret sensory behaviours as information, not “misbehaviour”
🛠️ Practical tools and strategies to support regulation and engagement in your setting
🏫 Simple classroom adjustments that can reduce sensory pressure

Reserve your place today and strengthen sensory-informed practice.

Autism: Why So Sensory? A Twilight!

📅 10 June 2026 | 4 pm – 5 pm
🎤 With Chris Barson
🔗 Book here: https://buff.ly/kt3HpbS

Why attend? Because sensory behaviours are communication. ✅

Spinning, tiptoe walking, covering ears, touching everything in sight… these actions often have a sensory purpose. When we understand the “why”, we can support engagement, regulation and wellbeing more confidently.

You’ll explore:
🧠 Key sensory differences in autism
⬇️ Hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness)
⬆️ Hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness)
🔁 Sensory seeking vs sensory avoiding
💬 How sensory behaviours can affect learning, regulation and communication

Join live online or watch the recording for a week after the event.

Book now and strengthen sensory-informed practice.