The SEN Resources Blog

I’m delighted to be able to share that my latest book ‘SEND Strategies for the Primary Years‘ by (me) Georgina Durrant, is now available to pre-order from any major bookshop (you can pre-order it here). The book will be published by Bloomsbury on June 6th.

With as many as 13% of children in schools in England receiving some form of SEN support, and waiting times of up to 3-5 years for a child to receive a formal diagnosis, there is a critical need for strategies teachers can use in the classroom and parents can use at home now. SEND Strategies for the Primary Years is the solution you’ve been looking for!

The book gives teachers (and parents!) practical strategies that they can put in place while they wait for diagnoses, assessments or support. The strategies are practical, easy to implement and resource. Relevant to children who may be impacted by a range of SEND including autism, PDA, ADHD, dyslexia, DCD, dyscalculia, sensory processing differences, speech, language and communication needs and more. The book is split into seven areas of difficulties and provides the relevant support for:

– Speech, language and communication
– Literacy
– Numeracy
– Motor skills
– Emotional regulation
– Sensory differences
– Concentration and organisation.

Each chapter contains simple, effective actions to differentiate and improve learning outcomes for pupils who need more support in the classroom as well as at home.

Who is for?

This book and the strategies can be used by any teacher or parent, not just SEND specialists.

Reviews:

In the absence of funding for teachers, TAs and Early Career Teachers to become fully trained in all aspects of SEND in the primary years this book is indispensable. Georgina is an expert in the field and has supplied practical strategies to support children at home and at school. She has also provided case studies from those with real experience of neurodivergence and SEND. Georgina has listed more resources, books and websites to further guide the reader and in doing so has made this book an invaluable read. ― Cherryl Drabble, Ex-Assistant Head Teacher and author @Cherryl-KD

Georgina’s book is a treasure trove of strategies, activities and resources to support children with SEND. Written in an accessible style, it is ideal for classroom practitioners, SENCOs or parents and is practical, realistic and engaging. ― Natalie Packer, SEND Consultant, @NataliePacker

Georgina provides clear information to help identify where pupils might be experiencing difficulties. This is then backed up with a veritable treasure trove of practical advice and strategies that can be used to support pupils. Really practical and clear guidance that will be invaluable in primary settings. ― Kenny Wheeler, SEND, Inclusion and Leadership Consultant @KennyInclusion on X

‘The book is easily navigated and clearly laid out, so the excellent advice is easily found according to the area of need. Precise definitions help the reader’s understanding, and the practical, realistic strategies outlined are incisive and explained thoroughly. A must for any school leaders or practitioners striving to achieve a genuinely inclusive school.’ ― Philip Salisbury, Headteacher, Grove Primary School

Why did I write the book?

My book, SEND Strategies for the Primary Years has been written, quite simply, on the foundations of frustration with the current ‘SEND System’. The waiting times for assessments, diagnosis and support for SEND are too long. Through no fault of teachers, there’s insufficient SEND training for schools. And there are not enough places in specialist settings for children who need them. The ‘system’ isn’t working.

As a contributor to my book (A SEND parent and SEND Learning Support Assistant (LSA), who is also neurodivergent herself) explained:

‘I think it’s sad that the gap between what we have and an ideal world scenario is so huge.’

As I wrote in my book “I may not have the resources to change the system, sort the funding problem, slash the waiting times or build the system that works for every child, but I can funnel my anger that many children with SEND in the UK are being let down, into creating a book that can support you as teachers and parents/carers to make a difference to the children with SEND in your care, while we wait (and shout!) for a system that works. And while the children wait. The challenge is not to point out the problems. That’s easy! The challenge is to say how you would do things better.”

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Pre-order your copy and help me spread the word about the book!

I’m also having a book launch event in Cheshire in June, please email me for more details if you’d like to attend.