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SEND Conference

SEND Conference at Canford School

Posted: 05-01-2026

Today, the majority of our RISE Alternative Provision team had the privilege of attending the SEND Conference at Canford School, an incredibly valuable and thought-provoking day for everyone involved. A lot of new information was taken away, as well as a better understanding and ideas of how we can support our pupils.

The conference, attended by hundreds of educators, focused on practical strategies for supporting pupils with SEND, with a particular emphasis on understanding and meeting the needs of young people with ADHD and attachment-based difficulties. Through a series of insightful presentations, staff explored how brain development, emotional regulation and early experiences can impact learning, behaviour and relationships and how these can be supported through nurturing, trauma-informed and attachment-aware approaches.

Throughout the day, our team attended several lectures, followed by interactive workshops led by education professionals, healthcare specialists and neurodiversity experts. Topics included pupil voice and neurodiversity, emotional-based school avoidance, signs of mental health needs, mindfulness in educational settings, supporting spelling and maths difficulties, understanding dyscalculia and approaches to whole-setting wellbeing. There were also valuable discussions around ADHD assessment and support and how best to help pupils remain engaged, regulated and able to access learning both in the classroom and during individual sessions.

Events like this are so important in strengthening our understanding of the complex needs many of our pupils experience. They allow us to reflect on our current practice, learn from specialists across education, health and social care, and continue developing the strategies we use daily with our young people.

We are proud to invest in ongoing professional development and to remain committed to creating environments that are inclusive, emotionally informed and responsive to every learner. By continuing to learn, reflect and work together as a team, we ensure that our pupils are supported not only academically, but emotionally and socially too, giving them the best possible chance to Engage, Succeed, Thrive and RISE.

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