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In this special edition of the SEND Network Podcast, recorded at the Tes SEND Show, we speak with a range of speakers, exhibitors, and guests to capture their insights, experiences, and reflections from across the event.

From classroom innovation to inclusive practice and whole-school approaches, this episode brings together voices from across the SEND community sharing what inspired them at this year’s show.

Featuring:

00:43 - Dr. Asha Patel, Clinical Psychologist & CEO, Innovating Minds

02:16 - Tom Rees, Chief Executive of Ormiston Academies Trust and Strategic Advisor, SEND, DfE

03:05 - Dame Christine Lenehan, Strategic Advisor, SEND, DfE

03:45 - Dr Becky Baxter, Director of Education and Speech and Language Therapy, Down Syndrome UK

05:10 - Maria Taylor, International Director of Training

06:42 - Richard Lightfoot, Assistant Head Teacher

08:11 -  Linda Francis, Head Teacher

09:29 - Stuart Plumridge, Nessy

13:30 - Cheryl Warren, Aperion Training

16:54 - Kirsty Maidment, AQA

18:43 - Lee Blemings, Guru Ltd

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2158480/fan_mail/new">Get in touch</a>In this special edition of the SEND Network Podcast, recorded at the Tes SEND Show, we speak with a range of speakers, exhibitors, and guests to capture their insights, experiences, and reflections from across the event.From classroom innovation to inclusive practice and whole-school approaches, this episode brings together voices from across the SEND community sharing what inspired them at this year’s show.Featuring:00:43 - Dr. Asha Patel, Clinical Psychologist &amp; CEO, Innovating Minds02:16 - Tom Rees, Chief Executive of Ormiston Academies Trust and Strategic Advisor, SEND, DfE03:05 - Dame Christine Lenehan, Strategic Advisor, SEND, DfE03:45 - Dr Becky Baxter, Director of Education and Speech and Language Therapy, Down Syndrome UK05:10 - Maria Taylor, International Director of Training06:42 - Richard Lightfoot, Assistant Head Teacher08:11 -  Linda Francis, Head Teacher09:29 - Stuart Plumridge, Nessy13:30 - Cheryl Warren, Aperion Training16:54 - Kirsty Maidment, AQA18:43 - Lee Blemings, Guru Ltd

The SEND Network Podcast is produced by the SEND Network, and provides expert insight  to help practitioners in the special educational needs and disabilities sector to shape their practice

The SEND Network Podcast is produced by the SEND Network, and provides expert insight&nbsp; to help practitioners in the special educational needs and disabilities sector to shape their practice

The SEND Network Podcast

The SEND Network Podcast Special Edition: Live at the Tes SEND Show 2025

In this episode of the SEND Network podcast, Georgie Green welcomes back Dr Tej Samani from MyPerformanceLearning to explore the role that sport, movement and healthy competition can play in children and young people’s development.

Drawing on his experience as a former professional tennis player and a student who struggled within traditional education, Dr Tej explains how being coached helped him approach learning differently. Rather than seeing academic difficulties as personal failures, he learned to view them as individual skills that could be practised, developed and improved.

They also consider what schools can learn from sports coaching, why subjects such as sport, music and the arts deserve a greater place in education, and how movement can offer young people a valuable alternative to social media and excessive screen time during the summer holidays.

Discover more expert insights, practical resources and conversations from across the SEND community on the SEND Network at send-network.co.uk

In this episode of the SEND Network podcast, Georgie Green welcomes back Dr Tej Samani from MyPerformanceLearning to explore the role that sport, movement and healthy competition can play in children and young people&rsquo;s development.
Drawing on his experience as a former professional tennis player and a student who struggled within traditional education, Dr Tej explains how being coached helped him approach learning differently. Rather than seeing academic difficulties as personal failures, he learned to view them as individual skills that could be practised, developed and improved.
They also consider what schools can learn from sports coaching, why subjects such as sport, music and the arts deserve a greater place in education, and how movement can offer young people a valuable alternative to social media and excessive screen time during the summer holidays.
Discover more expert insights, practical resources and conversations from across the SEND community on the SEND Network at <a href="https://send-network.co.uk/">send-network.co.uk</a>

What can sport teach us about learning, resilience and supporting young people with SEND?

Writer and comedian Katie Mulgrew joins host Georgie Green to discuss parenting her autistic and ADHD son, Jim, and the journey towards better understanding his needs.

Katie recently explored this experience in her Guardian article, “I was struggling to understand my autistic son – until we watched an episode of Doctor Who.” She explains how he recognised his own energy, emotions and “fizziness” in David Tennant’s portrayal of the Doctor, giving them a new way to talk about how he was feeling.

Katie also reflects on diagnosis, masking, emotional regulation, school attendance and the importance of children feeling safe and understood. The conversation explores the transformative role of television, comedy, music and the arts in helping neurodivergent young people express themselves, find community and see new possibilities.

Discover more expert insights, practical resources and conversations from across the SEND community on the SEND Network at https://send-network.co.uk/

Writer and comedian Katie Mulgrew joins host Georgie Green to discuss parenting her autistic and ADHD son, Jim, and the journey towards better understanding his needs.
Katie recently explored this experience in her Guardian article, &ldquo;I was struggling to understand my autistic son &ndash; until we watched an episode of Doctor Who.&rdquo; She explains how he recognised his own energy, emotions and &ldquo;fizziness&rdquo; in David Tennant&rsquo;s portrayal of the Doctor, giving them a new way to talk about how he was feeling.
Katie also reflects on diagnosis, masking, emotional regulation, school attendance and the importance of children feeling safe and understood. The conversation explores the transformative role of television, comedy, music and the arts in helping neurodivergent young people express themselves, find community and see new possibilities.
Discover more expert insights, practical resources and conversations from across the SEND community on the SEND Network at https://send-network.co.uk/

Doctor Who, Autism and the Power of Representation | Katie Mulgrew

Practical strategies for creating sensory-inclusive classrooms and supporting communication, regulation and independence.

In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, pda dad is joined by Olly Elm-Robinson, Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, and Dionne Nmai, Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist from Seashell Trust.

Together, they explore the growing importance of sensory processing and sensory inclusion within education, discussing how sensory differences can affect communication, behaviour, attention, learning and emotional regulation. Drawing on their experience working with children and young people with complex needs, they explain why understanding the reasons behind behaviour is often the key to providing effective support.

The conversation covers practical adaptations that can be made in both specialist and mainstream settings, including classroom environments, movement breaks, self-advocacy tools, sensory-friendly learning spaces and approaches to school uniforms. Olly and Dionne also share examples of simple strategies that can benefit entire classrooms while still meeting individual needs.

Special thanks to pda dad for producing and editing this episode.

🎧 Available to listen on all major podcast platforms

📺 Watch the full episode now on the SEND Network at send-network.co.uk

Practical strategies for creating sensory-inclusive classrooms and supporting communication, regulation and independence.
In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, pda dad is joined by Olly Elm-Robinson, Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, and Dionne Nmai, Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist from Seashell Trust.
Together, they explore the growing importance of sensory processing and sensory inclusion within education, discussing how sensory differences can affect communication, behaviour, attention, learning and emotional regulation. Drawing on their experience working with children and young people with complex needs, they explain why understanding the reasons behind behaviour is often the key to providing effective support.
The conversation covers practical adaptations that can be made in both specialist and mainstream settings, including classroom environments, movement breaks, self-advocacy tools, sensory-friendly learning spaces and approaches to school uniforms. Olly and Dionne also share examples of simple strategies that can benefit entire classrooms while still meeting individual needs.
Special thanks to pda dad for producing and editing this episode.
🎧 Available to listen on all major podcast platforms
📺 Watch the full episode now on the SEND Network at <a href="https://send-network.co.uk/">send-network.co.uk</a>

The SEND Network Podcast Special Edition: Live at the Tes SEND Show 2025

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