Sunningdale School staff use an approach to mental health and wellbeing that is based on attachment research, child development and basic neuroscience research. The approach is known as ‘Thrive’. We are re-running our highly successful Family Thrive course to introduce parents/carers and other family members to the fundamentals of Thrive and how it works in practice.

Come on this course to find out about

• how our brains develop
• the relationship between feeling, thinking, and behaving.
• why play and creativity are so important to you and your child.
• how to support your child at times of change and difficulty.
• everyday trigger times and how to keep calm.
• how the Thrive approach is used in school.

Spaces will be limited 10 people per course. The course will be facilitated by Sunningdale school’s Head Teacher, James Waller and Family Partnership Adviser, Jan Patterson, who have extensive experience of working with children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties.

The understanding and approach is relevant to children of any developmental level and James and Jan will adapt to support individual children’s needs.

Participating parents said:

“I would definitely recommend this course for parents and practitioners. Excellent course made so much sense not only for my child, also for myself” (parent)

“It was a very informative and interesting course-have learned a lot! Thank You.” (parent)

“A very enjoyable and informative training course. I have learned lots about coping strategies” (parent)

The course will run from 9.30am- 11.30am on the following dates:  12^th 19^th and 26^th March 2024. You must be available for all 3 sessions to complete the course.

This training is heavily subsidised by school to make it accessible to parents. It is extremely popular and places are limited to 10 people. A £10 fee is required from parents to reserve a place. 

Please book early to avoid disappointment. 

This informative 2 hour course has been designed for teachers and other educational practitioners who have a basic understanding of dyslexia and want to further develop their knowledge. During the session, delegates will further develop their understanding and knowledge of dyslexia and dyspraxia.

You will leave with reassuringly uncomplicated strategies and activities to stimulate and aid development. By the end of this workshop you will have:

• More knowledge and understanding about dyslexia and dyspraxia.
• Develop an understanding of the key interventions and strategies available.
• Worked through a selection of case studies to further develop your understanding of how to implement these strategies in class.

The strategies are not diagnostic tools, and you will not be able to gain a diagnosis from this session.

Workshop leader Karen Ferguson is the Founder and Principal Trainer for Linrow Education. Karen started teaching science at a mainstream secondary school in 2000. She then moved into the SEND environment working with children and parents to help them overcome their disabilities and give them the skills to achieve their full potential. Karen was appointed as a Specialist Leader in Education for Autism and this allowed her to disseminate good practice and deliver SEND training. She offers various condition specific training, including ASC, ADHD and Dyslexia.

Karen has continued her personal professional development over the years: she has a Masters Degree in Education and Level 2 Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism and PDA qualifications. She is currently working towards her Doctorate in Education.

Karen believes that a better understanding of SEND and complex needs can be achieved through information sharing and is committed to ensuring that quality education is available to all.

The strategies are not diagnostic tools, and you will not be able to gain a diagnosis from this session.

This session cost £40 and places are limited to enable discussion. The session will take place via the Zoom virtual platform, delegates will be sent access codes/ links prior to the virtual sessions.

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is linked to an extreme need to avoid everyday demands and opportunities. Some of the distinctive features of the profile are around high levels of anxiety, using social means to avoid, resisting the ordinary demands and excessive mood swings. The need for control in all areas is a prominent feature which can appear dominating. High levels of support are required along with specific strategies to engage.

This online session will benefit:

• Staff working with, or wanting to work with students in the SEND field
• Parents/carers wanting to learn more about Pathological Demand Avoidance

During the session, delegates will develop their basic understanding and knowledge of PDA, including the various barriers and challenges students may face in the classroom. They will leave with a secure understanding of how to support and aid learning.

By the end of the session, delegates will have:

• An understanding of PDA
• An awareness of the barriers to learning and the impact of these difficulties
• An awareness of strategies and activities to aid learning

Workshop leader Karen Ferguson is the Founder and Principal Trainer for Linrow Education.

Karen has considerable experience of working in SEND environments, she also has a Masters Degree in Education and Level 2 Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism and PDA qualifications.  Karen believes that a better understanding of SEND and complex needs can be achieved through information sharing and is committed to ensuring that quality education is available to all.

The strategies are not diagnostic tools, and you will not be able to gain a diagnosis from this session.

This session cost £40 and places are limited to enable discussion. The session will take place via the Zoom virtual platform, delegates will be sent access codes/ links prior to the virtual sessions.

Teaching in a Specialist School is more than just a career; it’s a vocation that leaves a tremendous legacy. If you seek a career that’s far from ordinary, relish challenges, and aspire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in need, this might be the path for you.

To support more trainee teachers in taking this career path, Sunningdale School runs a Teacher Training programme in partnership with a group of high-performing SEND schools in conjunction with Northumbria University.

Our programme differs from non-SEND courses as it is specifically designed for postgraduates who would like to train to teach children with special educational needs. Many of our students are graduate staff working within special needs schools who are seeking a progression route to become fully qualified teachers.

To give you a taste of life in a special needs school and help you decide if working in this fulfilling world is for you, Sunningdale School is hosting an introductory workshop about our teacher training programme. We will take you on a tour of the school and introduce you to our teachers and children. We will also provide you with information about:

• Our training programme – in addition to equipping students to teach in mainstream primary schools, the programme provides a deep understanding of strategies used to support the learning of children with special needs.
• School placements
• The application and interview process
• Our mentoring provision
• The accreditation process
• Career opportunities
• Accessing loans and funding

The sessions are informal, and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to ask any questions you may have.

This workshop is free, but places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Sunningdale School staff use an approach to mental health and wellbeing that is based on attachment research, child development and basic neuroscience research. The approach is known as ‘Thrive’. We are re-running our highly successful Family Thrive course to introduce parents/carers and other family members to the fundamentals of Thrive and how it works in practice.

Come on this course to find out about

• how our brains develop
• the relationship between feeling, thinking, and behaving.
• why play and creativity are so important to you and your child.
• how to support your child at times of change and difficulty.
• everyday trigger times and how to keep calm.
• how the Thrive approach is used in school.

Spaces will be limited 10 people per course. The course will be facilitated by Sunningdale school’s Head Teacher, James Waller and Family Partnership Adviser, Jan Patterson, who have extensive experience of working with children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties.

The understanding and approach is relevant to children of any developmental level and James and Jan will adapt to support individual children’s needs.

Participating parents said:

“I would definitely recommend this course for parents and practitioners. Excellent course made so much sense not only for my child, also for myself” (parent)

“It was a very informative and interesting course-have learned a lot! Thank You.” (parent)

“A very enjoyable and informative training course. I have learned lots about coping strategies” (parent)

The course will run from 9.30am- 11.30am on the following dates: 23^rd and 30^th April and 7^th May. You must be available for all 3 sessions to complete the course.

This training is heavily subsidised by school to make it accessible to parents. It is extremely popular and places are limited to 10 people. A £10 fee is required from parents to reserve a place. 

Please book early to avoid disappointment. 

Sunningdale School staff use an approach to mental health and wellbeing that is based on attachment research, child development and basic neuroscience research. The approach is known as ‘Thrive’. We are re-running our highly successful Family Thrive course to introduce parents/carers and other family members to the fundamentals of Thrive and how it works in practice.

Come on this course to find out about

• how our brains develop
• the relationship between feeling, thinking, and behaving.
• why play and creativity are so important to you and your child.
• how to support your child at times of change and difficulty.
• everyday trigger times and how to keep calm.
• how the Thrive approach is used in school.

Spaces will be limited 10 people per course. The course will be facilitated by Sunningdale school’s Head Teacher, James Waller and Family Partnership Adviser, Jan Patterson, who have extensive experience of working with children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties.

The understanding and approach is relevant to children of any developmental level and James and Jan will adapt to support individual children’s needs.

Participating parents said:

“I would definitely recommend this course for parents and practitioners. Excellent course made so much sense not only for my child, also for myself” (parent)

“It was a very informative and interesting course-have learned a lot! Thank You.” (parent)

“A very enjoyable and informative training course. I have learned lots about coping strategies” (parent)

The course will run from 9.30am- 11.30am on the following dates: 23^rd and 30^th April and 7^th May. You must be available for all 3 sessions to complete the course.

This training is heavily subsidised by school to make it accessible to parents. It is extremely popular and places are limited to 10 people. A £10 fee is required from parents to reserve a place. 

Please book early to avoid disappointment. 

This two-hour online course has been designed for educational practitioners, parents and carers wanting to support children and young people with additional learning needs.

During the session, delegates will develop an understanding of neurodiversity and neurodivergency, the barriers to learning and the different specific conditions. Also, a range of strategies and simple techniques to address the barriers to modify the impact.

Workshop leader Karen Ferguson is the Founder and Principal Trainer for Linrow Education.

Karen has considerable experience of working in SEND environments, she also has a Masters Degree in Education and Level 2 Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism and PDA qualifications. Karen believes that a better understanding of SEND and complex needs can be achieved through information sharing and is committed to ensuring that quality education is available to all.

The strategies are not diagnostic tools, and you will not be able to gain a diagnosis from this session.

This session will take place via the Zoom virtual platform, delegates will be sent access codes/ links prior to the virtual sessions.

This two-hour online course has been designed for any staff working with students in the additional learning needs field, or parents/carers.

During the session, delegates will develop their basic understanding and knowledge of ADHD, including the various barriers and challenges students may face. They will leave with knowledge, strategies and techniques to aid learning.

Workshop leader Karen Ferguson is the Founder and Principal Trainer for Linrow Education.

Karen has considerable experience of working in SEND environments, she also has a Masters Degree in Education and Level 2 Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism and PDA qualifications. Karen believes that a better understanding of SEND and complex needs can be achieved through information sharing and is committed to ensuring that quality education is available to all.

The strategies are not diagnostic tools, and you will not be able to gain a diagnosis from this session.

This session will take place via the Zoom virtual platform, delegates will be sent access codes/ links prior to the virtual sessions.

This two-hour online course has been designed for any staff working with students in the additional learning needs field, or parents/carers.

During the session, delegates will develop their basic understanding and knowledge of Autism, including the various barriers and challenges students may face. They will leave with strategies and techniques to aid learning and understanding.

Workshop leader Karen Ferguson is the Founder and Principal Trainer for Linrow Education.

Karen has considerable experience of working in SEND environments, she also has a Masters Degree in Education and Level 2 Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism and PDA qualifications. Karen believes that a better understanding of SEND and complex needs can be achieved through information sharing and is committed to ensuring that quality education is available to all.

The strategies are not diagnostic tools, and you will not be able to gain a diagnosis from this session.

This session will take place via the Zoom virtual platform, delegates will be sent access codes/ links prior to the virtual sessions.

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is linked to an extreme need to avoid everyday demands and opportunities. Some of the distinctive features of the profile are around high levels of anxiety, using social means to avoid, resisting the ordinary demands and excessive mood swings. The need for control in all areas is a prominent feature which can appear dominating. High levels of support are required along with specific strategies to engage.

This online session will benefit:

• Staff working with, or wanting to work with students in the SEND field
• Parents/carers wanting to learn more about Pathological Demand Avoidance

During the session, delegates will develop their basic understanding and knowledge of PDA, including the various barriers and challenges students may face in the classroom. They will leave with a secure understanding of how to support and aid learning.

By the end of the session, delegates will have:

• An understanding of PDA
• An awareness of the barriers to learning and the impact of these difficulties
• An awareness of strategies and activities to aid learning

Workshop leader Karen Ferguson is the Founder and Principal Trainer for Linrow Education.

Karen has considerable experience of working in SEND environments, she also has a Masters Degree in Education and Level 2 Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism and PDA qualifications.  Karen believes that a better understanding of SEND and complex needs can be achieved through information sharing and is committed to ensuring that quality education is available to all.

The strategies are not diagnostic tools, and you will not be able to gain a diagnosis from this session.

This session will take place via the Zoom virtual platform, delegates will be sent access codes/ links prior to the virtual sessions.

This informative 2 hour course has been designed for teachers, other educational practitioners, parents and carers who have a basic understanding of dyslexia and want to further develop their knowledge. During the session, delegates will further develop their understanding and knowledge of dyslexia and dyspraxia.

You will leave with reassuringly uncomplicated strategies and activities to stimulate and aid development. By the end of this workshop you will have:

• More knowledge and understanding about dyslexia and dyspraxia.
• Develop an understanding of the key interventions and strategies available.
• Worked through a selection of case studies to further develop your understanding of how to implement these strategies in class.

The strategies are not diagnostic tools, and you will not be able to gain a diagnosis from this session.

Workshop leader Karen Ferguson is the Founder and Principal Trainer for Linrow Education. Karen started teaching science at a mainstream secondary school in 2000. She then moved into the SEND environment working with children and parents to help them overcome their disabilities and give them the skills to achieve their full potential. Karen was appointed as a Specialist Leader in Education for Autism and this allowed her to disseminate good practice and deliver SEND training. She offers various condition specific training, including ASC, ADHD and Dyslexia.

Karen has continued her personal professional development over the years: she has a Masters Degree in Education and Level 2 Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism and PDA qualifications. She is currently working towards her Doctorate in Education.

Karen believes that a better understanding of SEND and complex needs can be achieved through information sharing and is committed to ensuring that quality education is available to all.

The strategies are not diagnostic tools, and unfortunately you will not be able to gain a diagnosis from this session.

This session will take place via the Zoom virtual platform, delegates will be sent access codes/ links prior to the virtual sessions.