Blog Post

Adaptive Teaching: Empowering SEN Students for Success 

Adaptive teaching is a pedagogical approach that tailors educational experiences to meet the diverse needs of all students, particularly those with Special Educational Needs (SEN). By anticipating and responding to individual learning requirements, adaptive teaching can support an inclusive environment where every pupil can thrive. 

Unlike traditional differentiation, which often involves creating separate tasks for different ability groups, adaptive teaching emphasises flexibility within the classroom. Teachers modify their strategies to ensure all students work towards the same learning objectives, providing support as needed without lowering expectations. This approach promotes a growth mindset and prevents the capping of potential.  

Adaptive teaching offers many benefits, particularly to those with SEN. These include: 

Enhanced Engagement and Participation: Adaptive teaching strategies, such as scaffolding and the use of visual aids, make learning more accessible and engaging for all, but particularly SEN students. This inclusivity encourages active participation and reduces feelings of isolation or shame. 

Improved Academic Outcomes: By providing tailored support, adaptive teaching helps close attainment gaps, enabling SEN students to achieve their full academic potential. This approach ensures that no pupil is left behind.  

Development of Social Skills: Inclusive classrooms that employ adaptive teaching support the building of improved social interactions among students. SEN pupils benefit from collaborative learning opportunities, incidentally enhancing their communication skills and building peer relationships. 

Cultivation of Independence: Adaptive teaching encourages self-directed learning, empowering SEN students to take ownership of their education. This autonomy builds confidence and prepares them for future challenges. 

To successfully integrate adaptive teaching, you will need to look at: 

Assessing Individual Needs: Regularly evaluate each student’s strengths and areas for development to inform instructional planning. 

Flexible Lesson Planning: Design lessons that can be easily adjusted based on student responses and understanding. 

Collaboration: Engage with teaching assistants, specialists, and parents to create a fully inclusive support system for SEN students. 

Ongoing Professional Development: Attend workshops and training sessions to stay informed about effective adaptive teaching practices. 

Embracing adaptive teaching not only enhances the educational experience for SEN students but also enriches the classroom dynamic as a whole. By committing to this approach, you can ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to succeed. 

At the upcoming SEND Leadership Conference on 4th March 2025, Beccie Hawes, CEO and Head of Service for Cadmus Inclusive, will deliver a keynote titled “Adaptive Teaching for Pupils with SEN: What is it and How Do You Do It?” With extensive experience across mainstream and specialist settings, Beccie will provide practical strategies for implementing adaptive teaching in schools. Her session will equip delegates with tools to create supportive and effective learning environments for SEN pupils. 

Breaking through barriers

10/03/2022

All teachers and teachers of SEND are breaking through barriers for all students. When we stop and think about those students that have difficulties like dyslexia all we truly breaking through barriers.

As a severely dyslexic adult I was told in year eight that I’d never amount to anything because I couldn’t read or write. I’m sitting here today dictating a blog for one of my five companies! Yes, I have challenges everyday, but I understand my dyslexia which allows me to support myself seek support when I need it and use technology to breakthrough barriers.

I am passionate about understanding and giving teachers tools to support learners and engage with colleagues to grow their knowledge within our environments so that we can truly empower those that need it and breakthrough barriers when it comes to our education system.

SEND Group looks at the concept of empowering your achievements by using online technology for personal Continuing Professional Development, CPD which is so important.

Webinar

This week we are delighted to have Katrina Cochrane previously the Head of Education at the British Dyslexia Association and now owner are of Positive Dyslexia deliver a free webinar about Breaking through Barriers on Tuesday 4th October at 7pm

Join the webinar here

Go to Mini Guide

Delivering support and knowledge is also very important to us at SEND Group and our go to mini guide “The things in the stuff” is an amazing resource for your school. As a special offer a digital copy will cost £5 for the whole of October and the printed copy has been reduced this month to £9 including posting. Get hold of your copy here.

Membership of SEND Group

Empowering your achievements with over 200 hours of past webinar content and over 30 hours of live content every academic year. Join us at SEND Group to receive support for you and your colleagues to break down those barriers with amazing content for you individually or for your staff team by getting personal CPD that you can watch at any time,  any place and on any device.

We have 15% discount on our annual fees both for individual and education group members during Dyslexia Awareness week.

Sign up this week to get 15% off

Checkout on Aaron’s 2 free webinars on Microsoft 365