This episode offers a range of ideas and advice for identifying and supporting students with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in the secondary school.

SLCN are the most common need for the more than 1.2 million students who are on SEN Support in England’s schools – and the evidence tells us that there will be many more who are going undiagnosed.

This discussion features four experts who look at identifying SLCN, screening students, and the problems of underdiagnosis and “masking” that prevent students from getting the support they need.

We discuss what the signs of undiagnosed SLCN are in the classroom and the overlaps between these needs and other challenges such as SEMH, poor behaviour, and school absence.

We hear about the approaches being taken in two secondary schools and discuss a range of ideas for practical interventions to help support students with SLCN in and out of the classroom. We also touch upon how we can support teaching staff in this work, including with CPD.

This episode has been produced with support from our friends at Speech and Language Link.

This episode considers how teaching staff can effectively support autistic students in the classroom and across the mainstream secondary school.

Our expert panel offers a range of practical insights and advice to help teachers and support staff, including teaching tips and pastoral care.

We begin our discussion by busting some of the common misconceptions and myths about autism and autistic students before dissecting what makes for an autism-friendly school and classroom environment and strong inclusive practice.

We discuss what schools can do to support and foster friendships and social connections for our autistic students – and how can staff build strong relationships with these young people?

We touch upon Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) but also why we cannot rely on the paperwork and must engage with the young person if we are to meet their needs – taking a strength-based approach.

How can teachers adapt their lessons to include their autistic students without overwhelming them – and what part does technology (including AI) play in making learning accessible for young people?

We also ask what needs to change in the school environment to support proper inclusion autistic young people – including asking each of our experts for the one big change they would make in schools…

Finally, we discuss the common teaching methods that make things harder for autistic students. How can teachers combine routine with the flexibility that these students need.

In this episode, we consider what makes for excellent library provision in the secondary school, including ideas for supporting literacy and curriculum delivery.

We speak with four experienced and expert school library professionals to glean their advice, ideas and tips for excellent library provision.

We discuss the most important elements in effective library provision and why schools should consider employing a qualified librarian as part of their provision.

We consider how school librarians can work effectively with teaching staff to support whole-school teaching and learning and ideas for how librarians can engage with colleagues across the school.

Of course, we focus on literacy and reading and the role libraries and school librarians have to play, including ideas for library-based initiatives, managing library stock, engaging struggling readers, and boosting reading for pleasure.

And it’s not just about books, we also consider the hidden roles of a school librarian, including the pastoral side. And we finish with our ideas corner when we ask each of our guests to offer their ideas for library provision that schools can adapt and adopt.