SEND Strategies for the Secondary Years - Georgina Durrant in conversation with Michelle Windridge
SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant (Special Educational Needs Podcast)Show Notes
Special Episode: Turning the Tables — Georgina Durrant Becomes the Guest! SEND Strategies for the Secondary Years SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant — Special Book Launch Episode This week on SEND in the Experts, we’re doing something completely different. Host Georgina Durrant steps out of the interviewer’s chair and into the hot seat as a guest to celebrate the release of her brand‑new book, SEND Strategies for the Secondary Years. To mark the occasion, Georgina is joined by her colleague and friend Michelle Windridge, who takes over as guest host for this special behind‑the‑scenes conversation. If you support, teach, or parent young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), this is an episode you’ll want to save, share, and return to again and again. ⭐ What’s Inside This Special Episode Michelle guides Georgina through an honest, insightful and deeply practical discussion about the challenges facing young people with SEND in secondary school, and what adults (parents and teachers) can do right now to support them.
📘 Why Georgina wrote SEND Strategies for the Secondary Years Georgina explains why this book matters so much at a time when the SEND system is described as “broken”, “under‑resourced” and “in crisis”. Instead of waiting for system‑level reform, she focuses on what teachers, parents and carers can do immediately to support young people who are struggling with communication, emotional regulation, organisation, literacy, sensory needs and more. 🎯 Why the book is structured around needs, not diagnoses Secondary teachers often see hundreds of pupils a week, and many young people mask or go unnoticed. Georgina shares why focusing on areas of need (rather than waiting for diagnosis) empowers adults to act early and confidently. 📚 The unique pressures of the secondary years From complex language demands to fast‑paced lessons and a more intense social world, Georgina breaks down why secondary school can be especially challenging for neurodivergent young people, and why timely support is crucial. 🛠️ Practical “no‑wait” strategies teachers often overlook Georgina shares simple, powerful adjustments that make a huge difference at school and home, including: reducing spoken instructions using visual supports breaking tasks into steps offering processing time practical movement breaks sensory‑friendly classroom tweaks organisation scaffolds like routines and checklists
These strategies don’t require a diagnosis, an EHCP or extra funding , just awareness and intention. 🌱 A neuro‑affirming approach in action Georgina explains how to create environments where neurodivergent young people can thrive as themselves, not as a version of themselves that fits a neurotypical mould. 💬 Real stories from young people and adults The book includes powerful case studies from teenagers and adults reflecting on their secondary school experiences. Georgina shares what she learned from their honesty, especially the importance of early identification, feeling understood, and the life‑changing impact of the right adult at the right time. 🎧 Why You Should Listen This episode is essential listening for: Secondary teachers wanting practical, realistic SEND strategies Parents and carers supporting young people with SEND SENDCos and school leaders looking to strengthen whole‑school SEND practice Anyone working with neurodivergent young people You’ll walk away feeling informed, empowered and ready to make meaningful changes — even in a system that isn’t working as it should. With its focus on actionable strategies, neuro‑affirming practice, and supporting needs rather than waiting for diagnoses, this conversation offers exactly the kind of clarity and compassion that so many families and educators are searching for.
More from SEND in the experts with Georgina Durrant (Special Educational Needs Podcast)
In this powerful and heartfelt episode of SEND in the Experts, Georgina Durrant (SEND Specialist, former SENDCo and author) is joined by Natalie, a former teacher and mum to four-year-old Freddie, who is autistic, non-speaking and has pica, a condition that leads him to eat non-food items. Natalie's story gained national attention after she spoke to the BBC about her fears for Freddie's safety and the challenges her family has faced in securing the right educational provision for him. Freddie's complex needs, combined with delays in the SEND system and a shortage of specialist school places, have left Natalie navigating an incredibly difficult journey Together, Georgina and Natalie discuss who Freddie is beyond his diagnoses, the joys he brings to family life, and the realities of raising a child who requires constant supervision due to a lack of danger awareness, climbing, elopement risks and pica. Natalie shares her experiences of communicating with a non-speaking child, moving from being a SEND professional to a parent advocating for her own child, and the emotional impact of an EHCP process that took 40 weeks rather than the statutory 20. This episode shines a light on the challenges many families face when specialist provision is identified as necessary but unavailable, and explores why early, appropriate support is so crucial for children's learning, communication and wellbeing. Honest, moving and thought-provoking, Natalie's story will resonate with parents, educators and anyone with an interest in creating better outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Content note: This episode discusses the challenges of navigating the SEND system, including concerns around school placements, child safety and parental wellbeing.
SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant Guest: James Searjeant – Headteacher, Inclusion Advocate & Member of the Twinkl Inclusion Advisory Board In this episode of SEND in the Experts, Georgina Durrant is joined by James Searjeant, an experienced primary school leader known for his calm, reflective approach and his deep commitment to inclusive practice. With a career spanning early years and primary settings, James champions the belief that every child deserves to feel safe, supported and able to succeed. As headteacher of Wyborne School, he leads with the principle that behaviour is communication, and he works closely with staff, families and professionals to build a school culture rooted in wellbeing, consistency and belonging. James also contributes to national conversations on inclusion through his work with the Twinkl Inclusion Advisory Board, bringing both practical insight and thoughtful challenge to the wider system. 🎙️ In this episode — why you’ll want to listen You’ll get a clear, grounded picture of what inclusion actually looks like in a mainstream primary school — not theory, but the day‑to‑day reality. If you’re navigating the SEND reforms or the Schools White Paper, James offers a balanced view of what feels promising and what may be harder to deliver on the ground. For anyone passionate about early identification and early intervention, James shares what effective support looks like at Wyborne and what needs to shift nationally for consistency. If you’ve ever felt the tension between data pressures and doing what’s right for children, James talks openly about how he keeps his school anchored in values. You’ll hear how he builds professional trust and agency, creating a staff culture where judgement is valued and adaptation is encouraged. And if belonging matters to you — for pupils, families or staff — James offers a compelling look at how Wyborne nurtures a genuine sense of community. Finally, James shares the one thing he wishes policymakers truly understood about making inclusion sustainable in mainstream schools. Why this conversation stands out This episode is packed with practical insight, honest reflection and a refreshing clarity about what inclusive education can look like when it’s done with intention. Whether you’re a teacher, SENDCO, school leader or parent, you’ll come away with ideas, reassurance and a renewed sense of what’s possible.
Special Episode: Georgia Gould MP on the SEND Reforms In this timely and special episode of SEND in the Experts podcast, Georgina Durrant sits down with Georgia Gould MP for a conversation following the release of the government’s proposed SEND reforms in the Schools White Paper: Every Child Achieving and Thriving on Monday. With so many families, educators and professionals eager to understand what these changes could mean, this episode offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from the minister at the centre of it all. Georgina and Minister Gould explore the big themes shaping the reforms, from support plans and legal frameworks to training, specialist provision and inclusion. They discuss the intentions behind the proposals, the challenges the system is facing, and the hopes for what these reforms might achieve. The conversation opens up important reflections on the future of SEND support and the principles guiding the government’s approach. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, TA, SENDCo or simply someone invested in improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND, this episode provides thoughtful insight at a pivotal moment. It’s a chance to hear the questions being asked across the sector, and to listen in on a candid discussion about what comes next. Consultation: https://consult.education.gov.uk/send-strategy-division/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-firs/ Mindmap of the proposed changes for Parents: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/send-reforms-proposed-changes-for-parents-mind-map-t-par-1771934762 Mindmap of the proposed changes for SENDCos: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/send-reforms-what-are-the-key-proposed-changes-for-sendcos-t-s-1771935800 Mindmap of proposed changes for teachers: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/send-reforms-what-are-the-key-changes-for-teachers-mind-map-t-1771954381
SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant — Episode Featuring Dan Tresman (Light Years Education)
SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant – Supporting Families with SEND at Christmas In this festive episode of SEND in the Experts, host Georgina Durrant speaks with Amanda Protheroe, Parent Educational Content Lead for SEND at Twinkl. Amanda draws on her experience as a class teacher, SENDCo in primary schools, and her personal journey of supporting a sibling with SEND. She shares practical advice and heartfelt insights to help families navigate the holiday season with children and young people who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). 🎄 Episode highlights include: Amanda’s background and passion for supporting parents of children with SEND. What Christmas looks like in her household as a sibling of a SEND adult. Common festive challenges for children with SEND- including changes to routine and sensory overload. How parents can manage expectations and reduce pressure around creating the “perfect” Christmas. Practical strategies to support children with sensory sensitivities during noisy gatherings, flashing lights, and busy events. Preparing children for changes in routine, such as visiting relatives or attending school Christmas activities. Tips for supporting restricted diets and food sensitivities during festive meals. Alternative ways families can create meaningful traditions if they feel isolated. Amanda’s one piece of advice for parents heading into the festive season. ✨ This episode is packed with SEND parenting tips, Christmas survival strategies, and supportive advice for families who want to make the holidays calmer, more inclusive, and more joyful for their children.