Natspec Annual Conference

Moving Forward: Progress and achievement in specialist further education

Now that the SEND reforms are into their third year of implementation, the FE and skills sector, and specialist education in particular, is moving into the fast lane to ensure that young people with learning difficulties and disabilities have the quality options, opportunities and outcomes they deserve.

In March 2016, the Ofsted thematic report “Moving Forward? How well the further education and skills sector is preparing young people with high needs for adult life” was published. One year on, Natspec’s 2017 conference identifies how providers and partner organisations have been working to improve the issues identified in the report (lack of impartial careers guidance, variable quality of provision and study programmes, slow progress in English and maths, and variable commissioning arrangements).

Staff expertise, high quality resources, and an inter-disciplinary approach all contribute to the success of specialist providers. The conference will give delegates the opportunity to explore best practice across many areas of provision.

Day 1: “Moving in” will include sessions and workshops on transition planning into college, EHCPs, designing effective study programmes, aspects of teaching and learning including RARPA, English and maths, work experience and partnership working. Keynote contributions are included from the FE Commissioner, DfE and the Tribunal Chief Judge.

Day 2: “Moving on” will focus on creating good outcomes for learners with high needs, with sessions on data collection, employment and links with employers, health and wellbeing, partnerships with health and social care, and post 19 opportunities.

To view the draft conference programme, please click here

[ninja_form id=3]