The challenge: The need for accessible and impactful SEND training
Educators across the UK are facing unprecedented challenges in providing adequate support for learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Recent data reveals a significant increase in the number of pupils identified with SEND. This growing demand, coupled with the pressures on teacher time and resources, creates an urgent need for flexible, high-impact professional development that is accessible to all school staff.
The solution: A blended approach of content and technology
The “Universal SEND Services CPD Series” addresses this need by offering a unique blend of impactful content and an innovative delivery platform.
The CPD Series
The series consists of 20-minute online units covering a range of essential SEND topics, including:
- Safety and belonging
- Language and communication
- Social and emotional mental health (SEMH)
- Sensory profile
- Access to learning
- Preparing for the next stage (including transitions)
Responding to a key need in schools, new autism-focused units have also recently been added.
A key feature of the series is its focus on a whole-school approach, moving beyond reactive interventions to embed SEND considerations into every aspect of educational policy and practice. The modules are enriched with real-life accounts from learners with SEND, their families, and education professionals, as well as case studies to encourage reflective practice.
Expert-Led Content Creation
A key strength of the series lies in its content, which has been expertly crafted by Real Group’s own team of SEND specialists. Our practicing Educational Psychologists work hands-on in schools, ensuring all training material is practical, relevant, and grounded in the day-to-day reality of the modern classroom.
The learning platform: Campus Online
The CPD series is delivered on Campus Online, a unique Virtual Learning Platform produced by Real Group. The platform is designed to present content in varied and engaging formats, ensuring accessibility for all participants.
The power of the platform: What Campus Online can do
The Campus Online platform plays a crucial role in the success of the CPD series by providing a range of features that enhance the learning experience and ensure accessibility:
- Multimedia and interactive content: The platform utilises various formats to present information, including animations with colour contrast checkers for visual clarity, interactive presentations with audio support, and video content with subtitles and audio transcripts. This multi-modal approach caters to different study styles and ensures that the content is accessible to a wider audience, including those with visual or hearing impairments.
- Engagement and reflection: Campus Online fosters a community of practice through features like discussion forums and online learning journals. These tools encourage participants to engage in interactive reflections, share insights, and learn from their peers, promoting a deeper understanding of the material and its application in their own settings. Learning is also checked and embedded through short quizzes, ensuring comprehension and retention. Participants have personalised dashboards where they can review their CPD unit enrollments and check progress through the programme, fostering a sense of ownership over their learning journey and encouraging continued engagement.
- Flexibility and convenience: The online, bite-sized format of the units makes them manageable for busy educators, who can access the resources at their convenience. This flexibility is a key advantage of the platform, allowing for widespread participation.
Impact and outcomes
The “Universal SEND Services CPD Series” has demonstrated significant impact, with nearly 6,300 enrolments since its launch. The extensive positive feedback from thousands of learners highlights how the programme has positively influenced their practice.
As the winner of the CPD category for the Teach Primary Awards 2024, this CPD programme has been recognised for its exceptional quality and effectiveness, with 99% of users stating that their confidence in identifying and meeting needs of their learners has improved and that they are likely to incorporate changes in their practice as a result of the units. The emphasis on early identification and effective support has equipped educators with the necessary tools to provide timely and tailored interventions, ultimately enhancing the educational outcomes for learners with SEND.
Need an effective online training platform?
The success of the “Universal SEND Services CPD Series” is a testament to the powerful combination of high-quality, relevant content and an accessible, feature-rich learning platform. By leveraging the capabilities of Campus Online, Whole School SEND and Real Group have created a professional development programme that is not only informative but also engaging, accessible, and highly impactful.
The same platform that powered this success can be tailored for your organisation’s unique training needs – no matter how big or how small. To discover how Campus Online can help you deliver engaging and effective learning experiences, contact our team today for a consultation. As an approved supplier on the Kent County Council framework, procurement is simple and straightforward.
- Contact David Hutter – Head of Development, Real Group
- David@realgroup.co.uk
- 01273 35 80 80