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‪PDA Dad sits down with Natasha Chalk to explore emotional-based school avoidance, masking, and how schools can better support SEND pupils. This episode of the SEND Network podcast was filmed live at the Tes SEND North show in Manchester, where PDA Dad Duncan is joined by experienced educator Natasha Chalk.

Together, they explore emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA), what it is, why it happens, and how it’s often misunderstood as “refusal” rather than anxiety-driven avoidance. The conversation highlights the realities faced by families, the challenges for schools, and the importance of early intervention.

Natasha shares practical insights for SEND professionals, including: How to recognise the subtle signs of EBSA The impact of masking and why it’s often missed in schools Why SEND support must be a whole-school responsibility Simple, actionable steps professionals can take immediately This is an honest and insightful discussion designed to support teachers, SENCOs, and education professionals working with children experiencing anxiety around school attendance.

🎧 Available to listen on all major podcast platforms
📺 Watch the full episode now on the SEND Network

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In this episode, Georgie Green is joined by Kate Freeman, Consultant at Speech & Language Link. Together they explore the growing importance of early identification, the role of everyday interaction in developing communication, and how schools and early years settings can better support children with speech, language and communication needs. From oracy and screening to screen time and school readiness, this is a practical and thought-provoking conversation for SEND professionals.

🎧 Available to listen on all major podcast platforms

📺 Watch the full episode now on the SEND Network at send-network.co.uk

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Why teaching pupils how to learn may matter more than teaching more content:

In this episode, Dr Tej Samani explores how SEND professionals can move beyond content-heavy interventions and towards strengthening core learning skills.

We discuss:
• Personalising assessment at scale
• Capturing and responding to pupil voice
• Reducing overwhelm and anxiety in the classroom
• Social media, attention and self-regulation
• Building independent, self-driven learners

A practical and forward-looking discussion for practitioners seeking sustainable approaches in an increasingly complex education landscape

🎧 Available to listen on all major podcast platforms
📺 Watch the full episode now on the SEND Network at send-network.co.uk

How early intervention and inclusive practice can change outcomes for young people:

With nearly one million young people currently not in education, employment or training, the scale of the challenge is stark.

In this episode, Dr Sharon Smith, Assistant Head of Teaching and Learning (Quality) at Tute Education, explores what those figures really mean for SEND practitioners on the ground. From systemic pressures and narrow measures of success to the power of early intervention and relational practice, Sharon argues that preventing disengagement starts long before results day.

This is a conversation about courage, alternative pathways, and why changing outcomes for one child at a time can shift the wider narrative.

🎧 Available to listen on all major podcast platforms
📺 Watch the full episode now on the SEND Network at send-network.co.uk

In this episode of The SEND Network Podcast, host Georgie Green is joined by Dr. Daniel Weisberg, Founder and Managing Director of CAYP Psychology, to explore the growing challenge of children and young people who find attending school emotionally overwhelming.

While many children occasionally resist going to school, this conversation focuses on those for whom simply getting through the school gates feels impossible. Daniel explains the crucial difference between typical reluctance and emotionally based school avoidance, the role anxiety plays, and why masking can mean difficulties go unnoticed for years.

Together, they discuss:

• Early warning signs for parents and educators
• The importance of sensitive, collaborative support plans
• Practical classroom adjustments that protect dignity
• How to communicate with anxious children without increasing pressure
• What can be done to prevent escalation

This episode offers thoughtful, evidence-informed insight for SEND practitioners, school leaders and families seeking to better understand and support children experiencing school-related anxiety.

🎧 Available to listen on all major podcast platforms
📺 Watch the full episode now on the SEND Network

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In this returning episode of the SEND Network Podcast, Georgie Green is joined once again by Simon Airey, neurodiversity consultant, early years and primary inclusion specialist, and teacher for an open and honest conversation about neurodivergent staff in education.

Drawing on his recent autism diagnosis and 25 years of classroom experience, Simon reflects on the often-unseen realities of working in schools as a neurodivergent professional. The discussion explores reasonable adjustments for staff, sensory overload in shared spaces, autistic burnout, masking, and why inclusion must extend beyond pupils to the adults supporting them every day.

Simon also shares practical insights for school leaders, colleagues and aspiring teachers, highlighting how lived experience can strengthen relationships with pupils and families, and how small changes in workplace culture can make a meaningful difference.

🎧 Available to listen on all major podcast platforms
📺 Watch the full episode now on the SEND Network

Georgie Green is joined by consultant clinical psychologist Dr Freya Spicer-White to explore what true inclusion really looks like in schools.

Drawing on her experience across specialist education, Dr Spicer-White shares practical, low-cost strategies that educators can use to create calmer, more inclusive environments for neurodiverse children and young people. The conversation covers everything from classroom design and sensory considerations to early identification, working collaboratively with parents, and supporting staff wellbeing.

In this episode, Georgie and Freya discuss:

• What “true inclusion” means in practice for schools and classrooms
• Creating calm, inclusive environments through simple environmental changes
• Spotting early signs that a child may be struggling
• How and when to involve parents in supportive conversations
• Supporting neurodiverse learners through movement, sensory regulation and routine
• Normalising difference and building understanding among peers
• Why staff wellbeing is central to inclusive education

In this episode of The SEND Network Podcast, Georgie is joined by Ginny Bootman to discuss how SENDCOs can manage meetings in the best way possible. They discuss what can be done pre, during and post each meeting to support children and their parents carers.

Roy Leighton's website (mentioned in this episode) can be found here.

About Ginny

Ginny has been teaching longer than she hasn't. She has been a Headteacher, Senior Manager and Class teacher, teaching all ages in the Primary age range.

Working to support SENDCOs and teachers across special, primary and secondary schools, Ginny is able to bring experience, wisdom and common sense to an area that can sometimes get bogged down in jargon and paperwork.

Her view is that by 'flattening the hierarchy' schools are more able to connect fully with their families. In doing so, they are better placed to help build the home-school trust so sorely needed in order to help vulnerable children thrive.

Through her highly-regarded book and also her published articles, podcast appearances and speaking engagements for schools, MATS and national events such as The National SEN Conference, The Education Show Wales and NASEN Live, Ginny shares straightforward tips and ideas that save time and energy for all those working with our most vulnerable children.

Drawing on her lived experiences as a working SENDCO, Ginny quickly relates to her audience and not only reassures them about the important work they are doing at a difficult time but also challenges them – nicely, kindly and with humour – to be even better.

She is the Author of ‘Independent Thinking On Being A SENDCO’ and has recently become an Associate of Independent Thinking
https://www.independentthinking.co.uk/speakers/ginny-bootman/