LEARN SEND Hub

15/07/2026

As another academic year comes to a close, we'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been part of LEARN SEND Hub this year.

Whether you've attended training, worked alongside us, welcomed us into your school or supported our work in any way, thank you. Your collaboration has helped strengthen inclusive practice and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Our 2026–27 Training & Professional Development Brochure is now available and ready for next year, packed with face-to-face training, online modules, SEND reviews, networks and bespoke support for schools and trusts. Take a look here: https://bit.ly/4vBlaq6

Finally, a reminder that our last working day before the summer break is Wednesday 22nd July. We look forward to working with many of you again when we return in September.

Have a fantastic, well-deserved summer!

09/07/2026

Yesterday, we had another brilliant day delivering the Lincolnshire Specialist Inclusion Base Project at LEARN.

The morning focused on adaptive environments, exploring how schools can create spaces that help pupils feel physically, emotionally and socially safe while reducing barriers to learning.

Delegates took part in lots of practical activities, including thinking about:
• Designing Specialist Inclusion Base environments before pupils arrive
• Creating routines that support regulation and independence
• Reducing cognitive load
• Supporting communication and language
• Strengthening pupils' connection to mainstream learning and belonging
• Planning successful transitions between the SIB and mainstream classroom
• Using AI to help create resources, scripts and support tools

In the afternoon, Megan led a really valuable session on the Lincolnshire Local Offer, exploring the range of mainstream and specialist services available to support schools, children and families across the county.

It was fantastic to see such engaged discussion throughout the day, with everyone sharing ideas and practical approaches to help create inclusive environments where every pupil can thrive.

Thank you to everyone who attended - we're already looking forward to the next session!

Lincolnshire County Council C.I.T Academies

08/07/2026

They're here! Our brand new 2026–27 LEARN Training Brochures have arrived!

Printed copies are heading out to schools this week, so keep an eye on your post.

Inside you'll find our full programme of training, networks, bespoke support and outreach services for the year ahead, alongside the fully funded CPD offer available to C.I.T Academies schools and staff.

Whether you're looking to strengthen inclusive practice, develop leadership or access specialist SEND training, we've got something for every stage of your professional journey.

If you're visiting LEARN, you're very welcome to pick up a copy while you're here. You can also grab one from a member of the LEARN team if you see us out and about.

We can't wait to work with you throughout the 2026–27 academic year!

If you can't wait, here's our digital version - https://bit.ly/4uKExfR

07/07/2026

Yesterday, our SEND Lead Practitioner, Jemma, facilitated a Promoting Independence training session for Teaching Assistants on behalf of BeReady Skills.

Using the Education Endowment Foundation's guidance on the deployment of Teaching Assistants, the session focused on one of the most important aspects of inclusive practice - helping pupils become confident, independent learners.

Delegates explored practical strategies to:
• Scaffold learning effectively
• Encourage pupil independence
• Reduce unintentional over-supporting
• Develop confidence, resilience and problem-solving skills
• Support pupils with SEND to access high-quality learning alongside their peers

It was a fantastic session full of discussion, reflection and practical ideas that Teaching Assistants can take straight back into their classrooms.

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

C.I.T Academies

06/07/2026

Last week, we welcomed Tania from Inspire Connected Communities Trust to LEARN SEND Hub to deliver our Mental Health Skills for Managers course.

The session explored how managers can put wellbeing at the heart of their leadership by recognising the signs of poor mental health, having supportive conversations, and signposting colleagues to the right support. Delegates also explored how to model positive self-care, helping to create healthy, open workplace cultures where everyone can thrive.

A huge thank you to Tania for delivering such an engaging and informative session, and to everyone who attended and contributed so thoughtfully throughout the day.

We're proud to work alongside Inspire Connected Community Trust to support organisations in building healthier, more supportive workplaces.

Mental Health First Aid England

03/07/2026

Today, the Department for Education published the nine Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) plans, setting out how national school improvement priorities will be delivered across each region.

We're really excited to see the publication of the East Midlands plan, which reflects many of the priorities we know will make the biggest difference for children and young people. It's particularly encouraging to see a strong focus on:

• Strengthening Reception Year quality
• Supporting inclusive mainstream education
• Improving attendance
• Raising attainment

These priorities align closely with the work taking place across the region and reinforce the importance of collaboration, evidence-informed practice and inclusive approaches to school improvement.

We're also pleased to see the introduction of new Regional Partnerships, bringing together experienced education leaders to help drive improvement and support schools and trusts across the East Midlands.

Read the East Midlands plan: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rise-east-midlands--4

We're looking forward to seeing these plans come to life and continuing to play our part in supporting inclusive practice and improving outcomes for children and young people across the East Midlands.

C.I.T Academies

The regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) programme for the East Midlands, including the regional plan and available support.

02/07/2026

There's been a wealth of new government guidance and research published recently to support schools in strengthening inclusive practice.

Whether you're a school leader, SENDCO, teacher, or part of a wider inclusion team, these publications provide valuable evidence, practical guidance and insight into the future direction of SEND and inclusion.

Our recommended reading includes:

• Inclusive Mainstream Fund – Best Practice for Schools
https://lnkd.in/eyE-Wk9d

• Inclusion Bases in Schools
https://lnkd.in/eZd84fp7

• Young People with SEND to Benefit from New Guidance on Inclusion
https://lnkd.in/eBmnwqYi

• Parent and Carer Perspectives on SEN Units and Resourced Provision
https://lnkd.in/e3SfMznv

• Expert Insights on SEN Units and Resourced Provision
https://lnkd.in/eNTP8Wrf

Together, these publications offer a useful overview of the current SEND landscape and are well worth adding to your professional reading list over the summer.

Have you read any of these yet? We'd love to hear which report or guidance has given you the most useful insights.

C.I.T Academies Department for Education

02/07/2026

Yesterday we delivered the final sessions in the Leicestershire Enhanced Resource Base training journey, bringing together Sessions 9 and 10 to round off a fantastic programme.

Delivered by Jacqui Fulcher and Rebecca Wright, the day focused on SEND pathways, transitions, reintegration and sustainability, while also giving delegates plenty of opportunities to get involved in practical activities using resources developed by Jacqui to support implementation back in school.

It was wonderful to see so much collaboration, reflection and enthusiasm as colleagues shared ideas, worked through practical tasks and planned meaningful next steps for their settings.

Thank you to everyone who has taken part throughout the programme. It has been a privilege to support your journey and see the commitment to creating even better experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Leicestershire County Council C.I.T Academies

30/06/2026

What a brilliant couple of days with teaching assistants across South Holland!

Over two days, we delivered our Emotional Regulation & SEMH: The Bigger Picture training, with schools splitting attendance so every TA could take part while ensuring schools continued to run smoothly.

We explored behaviour as communication, emotional regulation, co-regulation, de-escalation, repair and creating environments where pupils feel safe enough to learn.

The discussions were thoughtful, reflective and packed with practical ideas. It was fantastic to see so many staff committed to understanding pupils more deeply and strengthening inclusive practice.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed so openly - we really enjoyed working with you!

C.I.T Academies

29/06/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our 2024 Early Career Teacher cohort!

Last week, our Deputy Director, Sarah, alongside Andy from North Kesteven Academy, delivered the final Year 2 local group session at LEAD Professional Development in Lincoln.

The session gave ECTs the opportunity to reflect on the teaching and learning strategies they've developed over the past three years, celebrate how far they've come, and think about their future aspirations as they continue their teaching careers.

Congratulations to everyone completing the programme. It's been a pleasure supporting you, and we wish you every success for the future.