Training Offer
We offer many different types of training and support. Some of them are described below. If what you are looking for isn't listed, or you would like to have bespoke training arranged, please contact us.
Training |
Description |
Autism |
What is Autism? - This short twilight session will introduce you to the main characteristics and spectrum of autism, including the history and changes in thinking over time. We will consider the way in which the characteristics of Autism can impact learning and some of the basic strategies to support autistic learners. Autism - Routines and Structures - This short twilight will focus on understanding why routines and structures can be so important and how having the right environment and approach can have a significant impact on pupils being ready to learn. Autism and Behaviour - This short twilight will focus on understanding some of the behaviours shown by autistic pupils and how a positive behaviour support approach alongside sensory integration can support autistic pupils to regulate their behaviour effectively. There are twilight courses for these training events, please click here to find out more. |
Belonging in SEND |
We are currently being commissioned by Bristol City Council to run a Belonging in SEND project with a number of mainstream schools.
Briarwood’s unique approach in supporting SEND students with their behaviour, engagement with learning and effective management of individual needs, integrates multiple evidence-based approaches;
Taking a whole school approach, our integrated framework for proactive support for SEND students, within their own educational setting works across multiple levels including creating policy and decision change at leadership level; developing teaching staff’s skills, toolset and confidence and improving engagement and communication directly with students using a trauma-informed, person-centred approach. The Belonging in SEND allows access to the following package of opportunities:
This program runs on demand, please contact us to find out more. |
Curriculum |
The Briarwood curriculum is completely unique and has been designed and developed to take into account the needs of all pupils with SEND from ages 3-19. A curriculum is the basis for any school to provide a meaningful and effective education to the pupils who attend. At Briarwood we believe this should be a broad and balanced approach which identifies and meets the needs of our pupils. Our curriculum is designed as a cohesive approach with pupil needs at the core; therefore facilitating greater involvement of families, the pupil and other professionals in their learning and development. The overarching curriculum vision is one that supports the idea of provision and curriculum linking together. Consequently, what a pupil needs at that point in time, becomes both a provision requirement and a learning opportunity. This means there are closer, consistent connections between the schools curriculum and the provision we offer. We provide positive challenges to foster individual achievements and promote confidence and self-expression. This allows the curriculum to show progress of pupils over time; celebrating the challenging, enriching and developmental progress of all pupils. If you would like support in auditing your curriculum for pupils with SEND and development opportunities please contact us. |
Developing a careers curriculum from the early years to Post 16 |
Preparing our pupils for adulthood is in the main crux of everything we do. We feel strongly that pupils should be equipped with all those essential skills that will promote their independence and raise their confidence in themselves. Therefore, at Briarwood, as part of our holistic curriculum offer we offer career/employability experiences from early years up to Sixth form. This twilight session will be focussing on how this looks like in practice and the theory behind it but ultimately we want to ensure you feel confident and inspired to support your pupils acquire those essential tools that will help them thrive, regardless of the challenges they may face. There is a twilight course for this training, please click here to find out more. |
Diversity and SEND |
This twilight will explore the ways in which we teach children with SEND about different areas of diversity. By the end of the twilight you will have an understanding of diversity within an SEND setting, the Briarwood approach for supporting diversity and confidence in having challenging conversations with students around diversity. There is a twilight course for this training, please click here to find out more. |
Phonics for pupils with SEND – pre-reading skills level 1 |
In this course you will learn about the pre-requisite skills underpinning phonics. We will focus on the core components underpinning these skills such as; spoken language, the ability to symbolise, metalinguistic awareness and early phonological skills. You will also learn more about total communication approaches, differentiating pre-phonics for a range of learning needs. We will look at the aspects within level 1 phonics and how these build the foundations for future communication and reading. Course content Spoken Language
The ability to symbolise
Metalinguistic awareness
Early phonological awareness
There is a twilight course for this training, please click here to find out more. |
Phonics for pupils with SEND – Stages 2 – 6 |
In this course you will learn about the principles and structure of synthetic phonics. We will focus on stages 2 through to 6, reflecting on practice and phonics terminology. The course will also cover aspects of cognitive science and how we differentiate and approach phonics teaching for pupils with SEND. We will then reflect on how well our pupils use their phonetic knowledge functionally and develop a love of reading. Course content Synthetic Phonics
Cognitive Science and Reading Programmes
Reading comprehension and application
There is a twilight course for this training, please click here to find out more. |
Positive behaviour support - Working with a model of Positive behaviour support |
PBS is widely recommended as best practice for supporting individuals with SEND (see NICE guidelines, DfE publications). This course aims to give you knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and practical tools that will support the development and implementation of PBS within your setting. In brief, we will cover;
If you would like training delivered to your setting directly, please contact us. |
Positive Behaviour support - Introduction |
This twilight will give you a detailed introduction to Positive Behaviour Support. We will look into PBS as an evidence-based approach to supporting behaviour change. By the end of this twilight you will understand the research and rationale that makes PBS a universally accepted best-practice model and why the successful implementation of PBS is considered key to supporting behaviours that challenge from individuals with SEND. There is a twilight course for this training, please click here to find out more. |
Positive Behaviour support - Implementing |
As a follow-on from our introduction to Positive Behaviour Support this twilight focuses on giving you guidance and tools to support the implementation of Positive Behaviour Support within your setting or class. We will look at practical examples of PBS, specifically focussing on; proactive strategies to support behaviour change, environmental considerations, PBS plans, and developing a whole-team approach. There is a twilight course for this training, please click here to find out more. |
Sensory Processing |
This training focusses on Sensory Processing and its impact on the learning experiences of students with SEND. We will explore how sensory sensitivities and preferences can profoundly affect the education of pupils with SEND. We will discuss practical strategies and tailored approaches and how these can support developing nurturing learning environments. There is a twilight course for this training, please click here to find out more. |
Team Teach - Level 1 - 6 hour |
The popular and accessible Level One (6hr) course in positive behaviour management is available for individuals supporting children, young people in low-risk Education settings. Delivered by our experienced trainers this course will equip individuals with an understanding of the values and philosophy of the Team Teach approach. We are motivated by the need to support the individual with the aim of keeping those who have become distressed safe, as well as those around them. We believe that all behaviour is communication being driven by experiences and emotions. We deliver a toolkit approach that is 95% understanding behaviours and encouraging de-escalation. The 5% assesses the need for physical intervention in conjunction with a need’s analysis. Who is this course for? Anyone who is operating in a low-risk primary or secondary school setting would benefit from this course, which offers a grounding in positive behaviour management strategies applicable across these environments. Please note – Positive Handling aspects will be mainly guiding and escorting safely*. If a greater degree of physical intervention is required, please refer to our Level 2 – 12 hour course. *We do also cover small person holds within 6 hour. We run regular 6 hour courses, please have a look at our eventbrite page to see when the next course is running and book onto a course. If you would like training delivered to your setting directly, please contact us. |
Team Teach - Level 2 - 12 hour |
Our engaging Level Two course (12 hr) in positive behaviour management emphasises positive relationships as being the key element in behaviour support, with physical techniques serving as only one part of an overall approach. As such, it is entirely compatible with Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approaches. Delivered by our expert trainers with current and relevant experience of supporting behaviour in schools, we offer a toolkit approach that is 95% understanding behaviours and encouraging de-escalation. The 5% assesses the need for physical intervention in conjunction with a need’s analysis. Participants will learn how to;
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for individuals operating in a medium-risk environment. It is particularly aimed at those working with individuals whose behaviour foreseeably poses a risk to themselves or to others. We run regular 6 hour courses, please have a look at our eventbrite page to see when the next course is running and book onto a course. If you would like training delivered to your setting directly, please contact us. |
Trauma informed practice |
We offer short courses which aim to help you understand the definition of trauma, how trauma can impact a pupils emotional and physical wellbeing, and what we can do to create a supportive school environment that is trauma-informed. It will help you to develop a trauma-informed perspective that will guide your practice and interactions to with the aim of reducing the negative impact of trauma within school. Further trauma training is on an individual school basis so it can be appropriately tailored to the settings needs. Please contact us to discuss this further. There is a twilight course for this training, please click here to find out more. |
Wellbeing and Mental Health for pupils with SEND |
Children’s mental health is just as important as their physical health and schools have a central role to play in enabling their pupils to be resilient and to support good mental health and wellbeing. This training aims to help you understand what Mental health and wellbeing is, how to support students with SEND to develop positive mental health and routes to refer students for more specialist support. There is a twilight course for this training, please click here to find out more. |
