SENDsational Newsletter
March 2026
Welcome to the second edition of the SEND based newsletter. It is intended to keep our school community abreast of the latest developments and in the world of SEND and to signpost parents to resources of interest.
Currently in the media is references to the Schools White Paper: Every child achieving and thriving and the accompanying consultation SEND Reform: Putting children and young people first. At the heart of the SEND reform narrative is a refreshed, decisive focus on inclusion.
The government’s definition of inclusion draws on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and, emphasises the critical role of all staff in creating inclusive schools: ‘Inclusion is all staff supporting the learning, wellbeing and safety needs of all children, so that they belong, achieve, and thrive’ The White Paper takes this definition and places it within a broader system shift: a universal baseline of high-quality, adaptive teaching and calm, safe learning environments for all pupils, paired with a more structured, responsive model of support for those with additional needs. These reforms outline the introduction of Individual Support Plans (ISPs), new inclusion standards, and a tiered approach to need—all forming part of a more coherent national vision designed to increase consistency, transparency, and early intervention across schools.
Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) is a term used to describe the difficulty children and young people experience in attending school due to emotional reasons, such as stress, anxiety and/ or feeling overwhelmed. This can result in prolonged periods of absence from school.
Other terms EBSNA is known by include:
- Emotionally Based School Refusal (EBSR)
- Anxiety Related Non-Attendance (ARNA)
- Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
- School refusal
All non-attendance should be met with curiosity, compassion and partnership.
If you are looking for support for your child or for someone you care for or support, please know that you are not on your own. Please click on the picture below to access a webpage which will provide you with information that you may need:
Play sessions for under 5's with additional needs
Play and communication group for under 5’s with additional needs and/or disabilities plus their parent/carer. A supportive play environment with tailored stimuli and advice and support for parents. No formal diagnosis needed.
Find out more about us: www.welcare.org or click on the image
One Step at a
Time Group
Where?
At Welcare House, 24 Warwick Road,
There are a number of Parenting Puzzle courses coming up. Please see the attached image for more details.
Symbol-supported books and activities to support young people’s wellbeing
Guidance and Advice for parents of Y6 children
As we approach the summer term and many of our Y6 children now know where they are going to secondary school, I thought this booklet may be a useful reference point for many families. Click on the image to be directed to this resource.