I have spent over 30 years in education working in many different roles from teaching assistant to mainstream class teacher, senior leader within several special needs schools, Headteacher of an all-age special needs school and finally an independent consultant.
Alongside the practitioner roles in my spare time, I spent nearly 20 years as a researcher. I completed a master's degree, a PhD in Special Education, presented nationally/internationally at conferences and became a published author of my research. I have just written a book on the teaching of reading to all learners, due in March!
I am passionate about making a positive difference to the lives, attitudes and outcomes of those who may struggle to learn. I have learnt that it is only through a change in the culture of the adults that we can really make a difference to the opportunities for all children and young adults.
Headteacher Update is a magazine, website, podcast and regular ebulletin dedicated to the primary school leadership team. We tackle a wide range of leadership issues, offering best practice, case studies and in-depth information, advice and guidance. Headteacher Update magazine is distributed free to approximately 20,000 primary school headteachers.
Early Years Educator (EYE) provides expert guidance for early years professionals committed to enhancing their provision, developing their skill base and advancing their own continuing professional development. In addition to its new, fresh look and feel, EYE is designed to encourage the reader to engage with its content, to explore topics and to pursue the ideas it presents. EYE is a must-read for early years professionals committed to advancing their skills.
Nursery World is the UK's leading magazine and website for practitioners and decision-makers across the early years education and childcare sectors.
Local authority advisory teachers, private nursery managers, pre-school leaders and childminders are among more than 100,000 Nursery World readers who span private, voluntary, independent and maintained provision.
A monthly title serving the early education and childcare workforce, Nursery World combines unrivalled news coverage with in-depth reports and practical features, so enabling readers to keep pace with and respond to the frequent changes in government policy.
Twice each term of the academic year, Drama & Theatre brings you practical strategies, lesson plans, and inspiration to enhance your teaching. News keeps you up to date with developments in the theatre world; reviews help you to plan theatre visits, discover new resources or stock up your library; CPD and workshop listings let you know where and when training is taking place anywhere in the country; the Plays section looks in depth at plays for performance and study; and features covering primary drama, backstage and technical training, performing arts and more explore inspirational drama education initiatives all over the UK and internationally.
PANS PANDAS UK is the only UK charity supporting children and families living with these conditions. We provide information, and community support to patients and carers. We also contribute to health service development and influence policy. This includes raising awareness of the symptoms, and supporting the development of treatment options for healthcare professionals. We provide training in educational settings so that families and children living with these conditions receive the support they so desperately need.
Children and Young People Now is the magazine and website for all professionals who work to improve the life chances of children, young people and families. It is the essential resource on the learning, development, wellbeing and safeguarding of children and young people, from birth to the age of 19.
Children and Young People Now will enable you to:
Stay up-to-date with the latest news and policies
Meet your information and professional development needs
Improve the life chances of the children in your care
In the UK today, it's estimated that 20% of the UK's population has a disability, somewhere in the region of 14 million people. With a system that's often difficult to navigate, societal barriers, a lack of services, and challenges with the accessibility of the built environment, the end-user is often left unable to participate in daily life as they should.
It's for this reason that BATA is passionate about ensuring that disabled adults and children as well as older people get access to the AT and accompanying services that they have a right to, so that they can remain as independent as possible.
We do that through (more below):
Advocacy
Empowering and Strengthening
Challenging Stigma
Research and Partnerships
Creating Community
BATA is here to advocate and raise awareness on issues surrounding AT to governments, businesses and communities. We aim to capacity build and strengthen our sector and industry, challenge stigma, create a vibrant community and network that supports our mission, and finally, push for better information and evidence through collaborations, partnerships and research. We aim to respond to the UKs current context and remain flexible to support our members in a variety of ways as changes happen. BATA aims to become the one-stop-shop for advice and information on AT for end-users and businesses, and we regularly share referrals to our membership as they arrive. Our current members are suppliers, assistive technology (AT) professionals, universities, organisations who provide support to people who need AT solutions as well as charities.
*Please note that BATA cannot endorse any particular technology and does its utmost to remain impartial. BATA shares experiences and information but no opinion on which technology/software is most appropriate. BATA is not an assessor*
Music Teacher is the UK’s only magazine aimed at music educators from every part of the sector.
It is a place where music is valued in and of itself, looking beyond the classical to embrace music of all genres.
We offer up new approaches to pedagogy through in-depth features, engaging opinions, lesson plans and schemes of work.
We cast a critical eye over the latest research and products to help inform the conversations that shape musical teaching.
Whether you are new to teaching or well experienced, a classical or contemporary musician, a secondary school teacher or freelance, you will find resources that will keep your practice fresh and engaging.
This is a platform for raising awareness of the key issues affecting music teachers, and for championing existing efforts to ensure music education is accessible to all.