This course specifically focuses on meeting the needs of children with an ASD in the Foundation Stage. 

It covers:

• What is ASD?
• Communication development and strategies
• Sensory sensitivities and strategies to manage them
• Behaviour and strategies to manage behaviour

Pupils will:

• be provided with appropriate strategies and support to assist their inclusion, interaction and access to all areas of the curriculum

Practitioners will:

• have a deeper understanding of autism and how it affects children and their families
• be equipped with a range of strategies to support children with autism in mainstream primary schools

Settings will:

• have staff who have a greater understanding of best practice in relation to children with autism as well as the sensory difficulties they experience which can affect their ability to be included

Staff supporting pupils with an ASD in the Foundation Stage, SENCOs, Teachers and Teaching Assistants

This session will provide an introduction to Social Stories and the rationale for using these with students with an ASD.

Practical application in a school setting is also provided.

Pupils will:

• be supported to understand social situations through a story based approach

Practitioners will:

• have an in-depth knowledge of how social stories can support children with an ASD to understand social situations
• be confident in writing social stories to use with students themselves

Settings will:

• be supported by staff who are confident about the rationale and theory behind Social Stories

Staff supporting pupils with an ASD in schools. SENCOs, Teachers and Teaching Assistants

This session will be an opportunity for year 1 teachers to work with colleagues from other Royal Greenwich schools and consider the end of year 1 National Curriculum expectations for writing and mathematics.  

During the session, participants will:

• consider the end of year 1 National Curriculum expectations for writing and mathematics
• through professional dialogue, benchmark their pupil's work
• be able to identify any gaps in pupils' attainment or curriculum provision
• share examples and good practice with colleagues.

Pupils will:

• be enabled and supported to reach expectations appropriate to their ability and in line with similar pupils nationally

Practitioners will:

• benchmark their judgements with other schools against national standards

Settings will:

• be secure in their teacher assessment judgements for year 1 writing and mathematics

Year 1 teachers

This is a discussion-focused meeting that links to current EYFS developments both nationally and locally. Leaders are able to network with colleagues and share best practice across Royal Greenwich schools.

Feedback from previous participants:

"Extremely informative, as always."

"I find these meetings valuable to keep up to date on issues and to talk with colleagues working with the same or similar age."

Pupils will:

• experience high quality EYFS provision

Practitioners will:

• benefit from being given important updates relating to EYFS statutory guidance

Settings will:

• make links with other settings across the Local Authority and will share effective EYFS practice through wider networking

Early Years Foundation Stage Leaders