R10 London

London Region members enjoyed a SEN themed regional day on Saturday 12th November, at Frederick Hugh House. The day was special for several reasons - firstly that we had superb trainers, second that the venue was stunning and third that the event was so popular that there were excellent networking opportunities.

Terry Gilligan, our keynote speaker, enthralled and entertained his audience with information, stories, film clips and techniques used during his work as a leading Speech and Language Therapist. He covered everything from Phonological Disorders, stuttering, developmental verbal dyspraxia, word finding difficulties, language delays and selective mutism. He gave practical tips and suggestions for working with children and, through the use of his cleverly designed games, showed how you could support children. His workshop lasted for over 3 hours and it is fair to say that there wasn't a dull moment!

Tours of the school were given by Headteacher Tanya Jamil and education adviser Bill Brown of The Education Partnership throughout the day. The building is truly inspiring - a purpose designed, no expense spared, specially adapted school building in the heart of Chelsea. After a wonderfully diverse pot lunch the afternoon workshops commenced.

Experienced Speech and Language therapist Jackie Harland, Principal Therapist of the London Children's Practice, ran a workshop on supporting children with speech and language difficulties, which was very interesting. Chair of London Region, Georgina Hood, ran a session reflecting on the parent's perspective on having a child with SEN, and how it feels to receive feedback on your own child from a teacher. Georgina's informal workshop was a window on her personal story as Montessori teacher and Mother of 4 – one of her own children has a rare genetic disorder. There was time also to reflect on personal development, balancing school and home life towards personal happiness!

Deputy Chair of London Region, Emma Gowers, ran a workshop entitled 'Running a Productive IEP meeting, and Writing and Effective IEP; which was very well attended. Also covered was personal organisation, and communications within settings. Practitioners attending commented that they now felt more confident in their role, and were refreshed and inspired to return to their settings and develop their work with children with Special Educational Needs.

The day ended well, with a panel, consisting of Jackie Harland, Tanja Jamil and Emma Gowers, answering questions from the floor.  Feedback has been extremely positive - thanks to all who helped organise the day, particularly Georgina Hood, Emma Gowers and Kristine Largo, to our speakers, and many thanks to Tanya Jamil and Frederick Hugh House for hosting us.

One of the feedback received: “I could take away very useful points such as visualisation, meaning of imagination, mechanisms to help remember words. All very useful. Thanks.”