This round-up brings together some of the year’s most engaging discussions, articles and standout contributions from all over the Network. Whether you’re new to the Network or looking to revisit key moments, these highlights capture the activity that shaped 2025, and the learnings we’ll carry into the year ahead.

This year’s podcast episodes brought together expert voices, practical insights, and real experiences from across the SEND community.  Here are some of the standout conversations that shaped 2025.

🎧 Season 6 Episode 1: Valuing and developing neurodivergent play with Simon Airey

This episode set the tone for the year, offering a thoughtful exploration of what meaningful play looks like for neurodivergent children, and how adults can better understand, value, and support it. Simon Airey shared practical guidance and powerful insights that resonated strongly with members, making it one of our most engaged with episodes of 2025.

We’re delighted that Simon will be joining us again for the next series.

🎧 Season 8 Episode 6: Building universal communication support in schools with Sophie Mustoe-Playfair and Juliet Leonard (Speech & Language Link)

This episode offered a clear and practical look at how schools can strengthen universal support for speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). Sophie Mustoe-Playfair and Juliet Leonard shared strategies for creating communication-rich environments, developing whole-school approaches, and embedding effective support into everyday practice.

🎧 Season 8 Episode 3: The importance of neuromotor development in early education with Elizabeth Cordle

This episode shed light on the crucial role neuromotor development plays in children’s early learning, emotional regulation, and classroom readiness.  Elizabeth Cordle unpacked how underlying motor skills influence attention, handwriting, behaviour, and offering clear, practical insights for early years practitioners and SENCOs alike.

It stood out as one of the year’s most informative episodes, helping members deepen their understanding of the links between physical development and learning outcomes.

Alongside this year’s podcast conversations, the Network saw a wide range of posts and articles that offered practical guidance, shared experiences, and sparked meaningful discussion. Here is a range of content that helped inform and support the community throughout 2025.

💬 SENCO Surgery: Practical advice from seasoned professionals

The SENCO Surgery brought together a range of questions submitted by members and shared thoughtful, experience-led responses from SENCOs and specialists across the Network. Covering topics from workload and classroom strategies to working with families and external agencies, it offered clear, practical guidance that many practitioners may benefit from.

The SENCO Surgery has quickly become a valued part of the Network, and we’re pleased to confirm it will continue into next year with even more opportunities for members to submit questions and share expertise.

💡Delivering high quality early years provision on a budget: Funding sources

This article offered practical guidance for early years settings looking to deliver strong SEND provision within limited budgets.  It highlighted a range of funding opportunities, grants, and cost-effective strategies that can help leaders make informed decisions about resourcing and long-term sustainability.

With clear, actionable information, it provided a useful starting point for settings exploring ways to strengthen provision while managing financial pressures.

📊 Tes SEND Show 2025 Presentations

The Tes SEND Show brought together a range of recorded presentations from the Tes SEND Show 2025, giving Network members the opportunity to revisit key sessions or catch up on content they may have missed. Covering topics from curriculum design to SLCN, behaviour, inclusion and leadership, the sessions provide insight from experts across the sector.

The sessions will remain a useful resource for practitioners looking to deepen their understanding of SEND practice.

🎥 BBC comes to EOB Bristol

This post captured a special moment for EOB Bristol as the BBC visited the school to learn more about its work with pupils with SEND. 

The feature includes a video from the visit, spotlighting students like Iris, who is dyslexic and currently studying for a qualification in digital art at Enemy of Boredom, a course funded by her local council.

The story highlighted the inclusive approach, the creative pathways available to learners, and the positive impact that tailored support and opportunities can have on young people’s confidence and achievements.

🖥️ Making online AP work for primary students: Practical guidance for schools

This article by Academy21 explored how online alternative provision can support the growing number of primary-aged pupils struggling to attend school regularly due to EBSNA, anxiety, SEND, or other complex needs. It outlined five key principles for effective online AP, including early intervention, live interactive teaching, calm and predictable learning environments, holistic development, and maintaining a clear pathway back to mainstream.

Drawing on examples of current practice, the piece showed how thoughtfully designed online provision can help younger learners stay connected to education, reduce barriers to engagement, and support reintegration when the time is right.

🎤 Tes SEND Show Opening Keynote: Vision for SEND reform

This write-up captured the central themes from the Tes SEND Show’s opening keynote, offering insight into the evolving direction of SEND reform. With a focus on early identification, partnership working, and more coherent national expectations, this aimed to help practitioners reflect on how forthcoming changes may shape their work on the ground.

We’ll also be at Tes SEND North to share the latest insights from speakers and continue bringing key updates to the Network.

⚙️ How AI can work best with SEND teams!

In this post, Agilisys shared an article exploring how AI can support SEND professionals without replacing the vital human elements of the work. Written from the perspective of an experienced SEND practitioner, it offers reassurance around the role of technology, highlighting how AI can reduce administrative pressures, strengthen decision-making, and operate securely within SEND processes.

A clear, accessible introduction to how emerging tools can complement, rather than disrupt the relationships at the heart of the SEND system.

🌟 A Year of Community Connection

2025 was a busy year for community conversations on the SEND Network. Members asked questions, shared experiences, offered support, and connected with one another across a wide range of topics. The discussions space continued to grow into a supportive hub where practitioners could seek advice and stay connected.

🚀 Looking ahead to 2026

We’re planning an expanded programme of content, including new podcasts, interviews, expert insights, presentations and regular updates from across the sector.

We’re looking forward to seeing even more posts, questions and interaction from the community, as members continue to share experiences and support one another.