Recommendations

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We were fortunate enough to arrange our inset days as twilight evenings and subsequently booked the Stride consultants for two sessions of three hours at the end of the school day. We had talks and discussion time on Autism and Play and SLD and Play. Due to the talks being dynamic, interesting and fun, all staff remained alert and made positive contributions in their groups, which is really no mean feat after a hectic day at school!

It was evident that some staff had particular issues in their own classrooms, relating to the environment and organisation that they would have liked more help with or information. We therefore invited both consultants in to school to spend a morning in two classes, followed by a discussion time with teachers/classroom assistants to highlight any changes they felt could be made for the better. All staff found this useful. Most importantly, staff felt they could be honest and didn't feel they had to have everything right. Both consultants from Stride also made staff feel at ease by the way that they offered suggestions and ideas. We intend to invite them back in a few weeks to check how things are going.

What also came out of the twilight evenings on play was an action plan on what we have called Learning Through Play week. We have therefore set aside a week in July, which will be designated, as our play week. During this week we will invite parents into school for lectures/workshops run by our staff and Stride staff. We will also set up play sessions with the children, including and Play sessions for parents/staff to view and participate in. We are at present setting up a working party to organise the week's events.

Our sessions with Stride have therefore proved invaluable. So much has come out of their visits, which will ensure that we have an ongoing relationship with them. I would not hesitate in recommending them to any school.