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The June 2026 edition of the SENCO newsletter includes:
- Area SENCO update
- Training and events
- Opportunity to sign up for SENCO Induction Programme 2026-2027
- Information about a free EAL resource relevant to pupils with SEND
- Funding for children with complex health needs
- Young people's SEND Celebration Event
- Ofsted inspector training videos
Welcome to the final edition of the SENCO newsletter for this academic year. I hope the end of term is going well and that you are managing to balance the demands of this year with planning for the next.
Congratulations to our second cohort of SENCOs on completing this year’s SENCO Induction Programme. We met six times over the course of the year and explored all aspects of the SENCO role. We were really impressed by the way the group engaged with the programme and supported one another throughout. We wish you all the very best as you continue in your roles.
You will find information below about how to sign up for next year’s programme.
It continues to be a busy time in SEND, with work continuing on the Local SEND Reform Plan. As you will be aware, our SEND Inspection Report has now been published. In response, we have arranged an additional SENCO network meeting this week on Wednesday 10 June. This session will focus on the findings of the inspection, the work already underway, and the next steps planned.
We will still hold the planned SENCO network meeting on 1 July, although we will aim to keep it slightly shorter given how busy this time of year can be. At that meeting, we will share an update on the PINS project, including signposting to resources that will be available to all schools. We will also hear updates from our Participation Team and spend some time focusing on the work needed around entrenched EBSA.
If you are planning to move on from your role at the end of the year, or if you have a new SENCO or member of the inclusion team joining, please do let me know so that I can update my records.
In the meantime, I hope the rest of term goes smoothly. Thank you for your continued engagement this year. I look forward to seeing you at the remaining two meetings.
There are a range of training events available on the Schools Hub
This term’s topics include:
- Supporting speech sounds
- De-escalation
- Building emotional language
- EAL resource relevant to pupils with SEND
- Funding for children with complex health needs
The Berkshire Sensory Consortium is offering a free session on vision impairment, covering its impact on access to the curriculum and practical strategies to support pupils with a vision impairment.
Open to: SENCOs, teachers and support staff in mainstream Berkshire schools.
- Thursday 18 June 2026, 3.45pm.
Book your place: Berkshire Sensory Consortium Service Form
Events for families
EHCP Phase Transfer Process: webinar for families (school-aged) for families of children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) who are due to move to primary, junior or secondary school in September 2027.
- Tuesday 9 June, 6.00pm to 7.00pm
Book here
SEND Team appointments are available for families of children and young people with an EHCP. Appointments can be held in person or online on
- Thursday 2 July, 9.30am to 12.30pm.
- Families can book a 20-minute appointment.
Book here
Are you new to the SENCO role, recently appointed, or aspiring to become a SENCO? Join our SENCO Induction Course designed to support you as you begin or develop your journey in this vital role within Wokingham schools and settings.
This induction programme is specifically tailored for new and recently in‑post SENCOs, as well as staff aspiring to step into a SENCO role. It provides a practical, supportive introduction to the responsibilities, priorities and challenges of being a SENCO.
What the course will offer:
- A clear overview of the SENCO role and statutory responsibilities
- Guidance on SEND systems, processes and paperwork
- Practical strategies for working with pupils, families and professionals
- An introduction to local Wokingham guidance, expectations and support
- Opportunities to ask questions, share experiences and build confidence
- Networking with peers who are at a similar stage in their SENCO journey
Whether you are feeling new, overwhelmed, curious or preparing for the next step, this course will help you develop confidence, clarity and a strong foundation for the role.
If you are interested in attending, please register your interest to receive further details about dates, format and booking information.
Q‑BEx is a free online tool to help you better understand pupils’ language exposure. Parents complete a short questionnaire (independently or with support)
- Automatic report generated for each pupil
- Available in multiple languages
SENCOs can use the reports to build a clearer picture of a pupil’s language background and inform assessment, planning and support. When considered alongside your assessment of English and home language skills, this can help distinguish between needs arising from learning English and potential underlying special educational needs.
The ICB’s Children’s Complex Cases Panel considers requests for packages of medical or healthcare support where a child or young person’s needs arising from disability, accident or illness cannot be met by universal or specialist services alone.
The panel meets monthly on the second Wednesday of each month, and completed applications must be submitted by the Tuesday of the previous week. Applications should clearly set out the specific medical or health needs to be addressed, the frequency of the support required, and the input being requested. For example, if Teaching Assistant funding is requested, please explain the health duties to be undertaken, how long they will take and how often they are needed. Include all relevant supporting information and anonymised clinical reports when submitting your application to bobicb.bwchildfundingrequest@nhs.net.
The application form can be found on the SENCO Hub.
A Young People’s SEND Celebration Event will take place on Wednesday 24 June at Reading Football Club.
This fully accessible event celebrates the achievements of children and young people through SEND voice and participation, with contributions from young people and guest speakers. Refreshments and lunch are provided, and a quiet room will be available throughout the day.
Please share this opportunity with families and young people who may be interested in attending.
Book here
Ofsted has published a series of free inspector training videos that may be useful for school leaders, including SENCOs. They offer a helpful insight into the themes inspectors focus on and how inspection conversations are framed.
SENCOs may particularly find the videos on supporting pupils with special educational needs useful, as it works through each area of need and highlights some of the things inspectors may look for. It also draws attention to common questions across the areas of need, including the rationale for an approach, how leaders know whether it is working, what pupils are learning, how staff support pupils to use provision effectively, and what training staff have received to support effective adaptation.
You can access the videos here
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