3 October 2025 weekly update

Dear Colleagues,

Today's bulletin is mainly focused on SEND related information.

The bigger picture 

Three items that may be of interest:

Firstly, is a podcast on changes in autism diagnosis and the implications

Secondly, an interesting article on the autism spectrum

And thirdly, is a publication from the Institute of Fiscal Studies on SEND within a wider economic context

Developing our engagement with professionals and parents; school case studies and visits 

Learning from engagement activities is a really important activity to continue developing and improving practice. In the education and SEN division, this work is led by AD Sophie Dann, who is also responsible for Quality Assurance and Inspection.

Our new SEND Information and Advice team led by Sharon McLaughlin has introduced an enhanced SEND Information, Advice and Guidance offer to support children and young people with SEN and their families. This has been shaped by feedback from families telling us what is important to them. In addition to the website the Local Offer and the SEND Enquiries Hub information helpline, we have established well attended and well regarded local SEND Roadshows. Last year there were 14 SEND Roadshows across all Districts and we reached over 400 families. Feedback tells us that these events are “perfect, the space, the people all perfect”. Our upcoming Roadshows are:

• Friday 24 October Dover from 1pm at Goodwin Academy, Hamilton Road, Deal, CT14 9BD.
• Wednesday 12 November from 9:30am to 11:30am at Whitstable Family Hub
• Tuesday 25 November at Leysdown Family Hub, Swale.

For families who want easy access to essential information, advice and guidance at a time and place that is suitable for them we have developed our new Podcasts. Our first one has been viewed over 350 times, the second one was broadcast this week with 130 registered. The topic, SEND Inclusion was led by Teri Rutherford. There were lots of questions about specific support available and transitions between primary and secondary schools. We will use the question trends to shape newsletters and social media posts to help give the families the details they were looking for. We have two coming up in November all around early years where we will be joined by Portage on Tuesday 4 November and the Early years SEN Support and Inclusion team on the Wednesday 12 November. We have started to work with young people to explore improvements to support for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and co-produce podcasts and specific IAG tailored for them.

Discover our SEND Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Offer set up to support families with children and young people with SEND.

Sophie and colleague Lauryn Alleyne-Coore have also been visiting schools and joining in with school activities. I am really pleased to include some case studies from those schools today.

Find out more about what is happening at:

St John's Church of England Primary School Canterbury 

At the End of June, we had the amazing opportunity to visit St Johns Church of England Primary School in Canterbury to be a part of their SEND Parent morning. The SEND Parent morning was an opportunity for parents and carers to come together and understand the schools offer for children with SEND. As well as share vital information that will support them through their primary years.

The morning consisted of listening to the headteacher Jo Williamson speak about their offer to children, introductions to key staff (who to contact, who is here to support) and a taster session of what happens in classes.

It was wonderful to see a broad offer for children with SEND, and we look forward to returning to the school to see first-hand how these different approaches work and the positive effect it has on the students.

St Johns Church of England Primary School for the full write up

Northfleet Nursery School (A Day in the Life)

We had the wonderful opportunity to visit Northfleet Nursery School this May. We are on a journey of visiting different settings to see what Inclusion and Diversity looks and feels like to them. The day consisted of speaking with the headteacher and inclusion champion Neerasha Singh, as well as meeting some staff members and spending time with the children during their lessons and play time.

Northfleet Nursery is the only stand-alone maintained Nursery School funded by Kent County Council. They have received an outstanding five consecutive times from Ofsted.

It was a wonderful experience to see children and staff navigating through a normal day. We took some fantastic pictures and videos:

• Picture montage
• Video interview

The Rosewood School

We had the wonderful opportunity to visit The Rosewood School (Medical PRU) which specialises in supporting children who are unable to attend school because of a health need. On this day we had the chance to speak with Tina Hamer, Executive Headteacher; the staff and the young people who attend, and observe the school and the surroundings.

Pupils attend The Rosewood School (TRS) due to their medical, health and physical needs (health need can mean either physical health need, or mental health condition). Many of their pupils will also be disadvantaged socially through missing chunks of their education. Tina, Executive headteacher, emphasised:

“At TRS, most pupils have a time-limited placement, with the aim of transitioning back to mainstream education, special school or post-16 pathways. The duration and destination of each placement depends on the individual’s medical health needs and their recovery journey.

"Our vision is simple: Aim High, Be Kind. We are committed to celebrating and valuing the achievements and contributions of every member of our school community. TRS is a place where we learn and work together with ambition - free from harassment, prejudice, and discrimination.”

Please find the full write up and images

Meetings attended 

This week we met with DfE and NHSE for our assessment. A big thank you to leaders who gave up their time to contribute to this event and we look forward to sharing the outcome letter with you when it is published.

Other meetings included Pathways for All Strategic Board, KSCMO Scrutiny, Assurance and Audit sub-group, a meeting with a group of community of schools chairs and the Cabinet Member Beverley Fordham and deputy Luke Evans and an Ofsted briefing on the new framework.

Best wishes

Christine McInnes
Director of Education and SEN