In this section you will find links to lots of other sites that may have the information you are looking for. Each site has a brief description of what it may contain and a link to get you there.
The links are organised into four sections. Click on a heading in the following list to browse the links in that section.
The DfES centre for special educational needs, with links to SEN publications, research and updates. It also contains a section on latest news and most frequently asked questions about the SEN process.
See also SEN update No. 19 March 2006 for the latest information about P scales collection of data.
e.g. Update 20: June 2006 — This issue includes features on P scales, Removing Barriers to Achievement (RBA) and implementing the Disability Discrimination Act in schools and early years settings.
Contains links to QCA publications. In 2001 QCA published a set of documents called 'Planning, teaching and assessing the curriculum for pupils with learning difficulties'. These guidelines draw on effective practice across a range of schools and can be used in mainstream and special primary and secondary schools, specialised units and independent schools. They also provide support to the range of services that support these schools. Copies are available from QCA and are downloadable from the web site.
QCA’s inclusion section of their website which is updated with important and relevant information relating to pupils with learning difficulties.
The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is an independent, non-profit making company that offers a range of qualifications and services, including GCSE, GNVQ, VCE and Entry Level. AQA also administers scheme such as the Unit Award Scheme -this is available for schools to write their own units for accreditation or to obtain validated units from the AQA website. A copy of booklets that accredit the use of the P Scales for pupils for English and Mathematics is available free from AQA.
Address: AQA Unit Award Scheme, 31-33 Springfield Avenue, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
B Squared breaks down the P scales in to clear manageable steps that allow teachers to record the achievements of their pupils and allow schools to have consistent criteria to assess a pupil's level and development. The materials are available in paper form and as a CD. They cover the core subjects of the National Curriculum from P1 to Level 5, ( P Steps Summative Assessment and Small Steps Summative Assessment) and also link to the Foundation document for early years pupils ( Early years Summative Assessment). There are assessment that cover ICT and PSHE and Citizenship (ICT Summative Assessment and PHSE and Citizenship Summative Assessment).
Over the last two years Devon LEA has run plenary and workshop sessions for primary SENCOs and literacy and numeracy co-ordinators on:
The P scales, QCA curriculum guidance and exemplification found in various DfES folder
Moderating and assessing work in literacy and numeracy using the P scales. These were practical sessions run by teachers from special schools and mainstream.
Over a number of years many of the special schools in Devon have been using B squared. A trial project across the age phases is now underway to discover if the scheme is useful in mainstream settings. this project will run until at least Easter 2004. Another project involves collaboration between special and mainstream staff to produce exemplification materials for P levels in English, Maths and Science. P level exemplifications for RE have already been completed. More information can be found on the Devon CC website.
An organisation that supports a range of curriculum developments for pupils with special needs. The PACE document provides a measurement scale designed to carry out objective assessments of pupil attainment; in English, Mathematics, Science and PSHE; from level P1i up to and including Level 2a of the National Curriculum. PACE is applicable to pupils from 2 - 16 years of age. Data can be submitted to Equals to provide information about 'value added', comparison with similar cohorts and pupil progression. The results may be used to inform aspects of teaching and learning in ensuring maximum opportunities for progression for individual pupils and also to support the target setting process.
PIVATS produced by Lancashire County Council, are a school based assessment instrument based on the P-scales. PIVATS seeks to sharpens schools’ focus on improvement for pupils working within the P-scales from P1(i) to P8 and up to level 4 of the national curriculum. PIVATS can also be used as a system to inform target setting or as a tool to support curriculum development, school improvement or self-evaluation. Schools can subscribe and submit their results on-line to receive graphical representations of the results as well as comparisons with other schools.
"Becta is the governments lead agency for ICT in education. Working to support the development of ICT in education throughout the UK, Becta’s unique contribution is to combine knowledge of the needs of education with an understanding of the power of technology."
This site has sections containing guidance and advice for ICT planning and implementation, practical advice and online communities of support for practitioners.
Forums have been set up by NGfL in response to requests from practitioners who are supporting the education of learners with special educational needs or individual learning needs. They operate through email lists and either focus on a specific area of needs or supporting the work of particular practitioner groups.
This site provides up-to-date , useful information for all those who work with special needs children and adults, all over the globe, whether parents, teachers or other professional carers. The site provides a newsletter, details of courses and events, products and services. For those of you who are familiar with the work of Flo Longhorn, this is her company site.
IQEA is a company specialising in providing services to school and Education Authorities to improve the quality of education within schools.
An organisation that promotes the interests of those with exceptional learning needs and/or disabilities, provides a forum for those actively involved with exceptional learning needs and /or disabilities and contributes to the formulation and development of policy in this area. NASEN has recently been involved in the development of the 'Using the P scales' DVD for QCA.
A bulletin of news and information for everyone working with people with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties. PMLD Link relies on contributions from practitioners, parents, carers and everyone interested in this field.
Tel: 01275 394621. E-mail: PMLD@Mansell.wyenet.co.uk
See also PMLD Network for an interactive forum.
A forum for professionals involved in the education of learners with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties. (currently unavailable)
This e-mail list is for SENCOs, those in local authority services and others involved in supporting pupils with special educational needs.
The SENIT e-mail list is for teachers advisors and others working within education to share practical advice about how ICT can be used to support pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities.
A useful site that can provide resources, links to further support and networks.
The East Midlands Regional Partnership (EM-RP) (which, at the time of the project was known as EMSEN) brings together representatives with an interest in SEN from the 9 LEAs in the East Midlands region. The various task groups within the partnership undertake activities relating to their action plans that support current national and regional priorities. The CPD task group have commissioned the 'Supporting the use of the P scales within the East Midlands Region' project. The website contains details of their actions plans and work to date. A training package to support the development, use and moderation of the P scales is now available, this link will provide further information.
The University of Northampton runs a variety of courses to degree and post degree level. In particular the Centre for Special Needs Education and Reasearch (CeSNER) and the Centre for Professional Development in Education runs courses, conferences and open lectures. Members of the CeSNER team, are involved in the provision of continuing professional development for teachers, teaching assistants and other professional colleagues on a number of levels. At present courses include Certificate in Education Support in ASD, PMLD and EBD, PGCE for SENCOs, PGCE in PMLD, ASD or EBD, OCR Certificates and Diplomas courses in the education of students with specific learning difficulties and MA in Professional Studies in Education.
At the time of the project, the East Midlands Regional Partnership (EM-RP) was known as East Midlands SEN Regional Partnership (EMSEN) and The University of Northampton was known as University College Northampton (UCN). The website has been designed to reflect the name-changes but downloadable project materials still carry EMSEN and UCN logos.
The content of this site mainly reflects the practice within the East Midlands region. Information on the site was accurate at the time of launch, but will remain unmanaged until further notice.
The P Scales are differentiated assessment criteria, devised and regulated by QCA. The content and views expressed in these materials may not reflect the views of QCA. For further information about the P Scales, please visit the QCA website.
Contributions and content for this website do not necessarily reflect the policies and opinions of the project team.