EQUALS Chairpersons Report 2014
2014 saw the 20th anniversary of Equals and was celebrated with a free conference for
members at The Gateshead Hilton. The “North East” venue chosen to mark the birth of
Equals following a conference organised by the University of Northumbria. Following some
excellent speakers on Pedagogy and the use of ICT, members had the opportunity to
discuss how they would like Equals to proceed in future. A range of issues were discussed
and the notes from these discussions will be examined by Trustees at future meetings..
Trustees unanimously agreed that the secondment of Michael Thompson from his
substantive post as head teacher of Hexham Priory School was a great success and that he
was able to drive aspects of the strategic plan forward, open and develop dialogue between
trustees and members. The secondment also allowed him time to take stock and reflect on
what Equals could do effectively for the members. Trustees agreed to continue the concept
of secondment and Peter Imray, SEN consultant and former deputy head of The Bridge
School, Islington, London took up the role.
Trustees had agreed that Equals should revitalise its role as an advocate for SLD and PMLD
pupils and attempt to strengthen communication channels with the Department for Education
and with Ofsted. As a consequence meetings have been held with Charlie Henry Principal
Officer SEN and Disability Ofsted and Matthew Hopkinson SEND Department for Education.
Discussions at both meetings were open, frank and friendly. Among topics discussed were
the use of P levels, the status of the QCA documents and self evaluation and the Ofsted
framework. Notes from these meetings have been shared with members on the new Equals
website and via SLD Forum. Feedback would be welcome. Future meetings are planned and
Trustees are hopeful to organise a mini conference with both parties.
Equals trustees remain keen to deliver quality “best practice guidance” and support “best
practice workshops” and continue to look for opportunities to supplement and add to Equals
capacity to provide this support and guidance to members. A register of trusted and carefully
selected providers has been compiled and can be commissioned through Equals to provide
much needed teaching and management tools through regional training courses and/or
individual or school cluster training days. Selection has been vigorous as Equals trustees are
anxious not to dilute their strong “brand name”. Further information is available via the new
Equals website. The names of potential additions to this list would be welcome.
» EQUALS Strategic Plan Progress 2013-14
As stated the work of EQUALS is guided each year by a strategic plan, drawn up and
monitored by our Strategic Advisor Larri Annis. I am pleased to report that progress towards
last year’s plan has again been extremely good. To view our strategic plans in detail simply
visit our website. You will be able to judge for yourselves how successful we have been in
meeting our targets. At our July meeting we will be evaluating our progress and preparing
our 2014-15 Plans. I would like to thank Larri for keeping us on task and on our toes and
Paul Buskin and Clare Caveney for all the work with the administration, organisation, finance
and EQUALS website.
» EQUALS Working Parties
These relate to ongoing projects. This year work has focused on the following:
j
The Creative Arts
. The working party have gathered a number of video clips to illustrate good “creative”
practice and are currently evaluating them.. Look out for the publishing date on our website.
19-25 Toolkit Phase 1
Ann Baker and Pauline Holbrook are developing a Toolkit approach of signposting existing
resources to achieve a 19 to 25 pathway. Discussions with ASDAN are on-going to ensure
that the progress achieved by the students is accredited. Taster materials can be viewed on
the Equals website.
Best Practice Workshops
These continue to be very popular and offer the opportunity for members to gain new
knowledge, skills and ideas. Look out for our posters advertising events in your staffrooms.
Events this year have included Access to Maths, Literacy, Assessment and Pupil Progress in
the SLD/PMLD School, I.C.T, Rebound Therapy, Confident Parenting, Intensive Interaction
, Hydro and Swimming for Children with Disabilities and Assessing Pupil Progress and
Target Setting in the SLD/PMLD School.
The number and variety of workshops offered will increase as the number and range of
providers brokered by Equals continues to increase.
Electronic Self Evaluation Form
EQUALS has entered a partnership with Derbyshire County Council who have produced an
electronic School Self Evaluation Summary (SES) document which is aligned to the new
Ofsted Inspection Framework and Evaluation Schedule.
It is a flexible tool and enables you to capture in one place an overview of your school, your
evaluation of the evidence and the associated judgements. There is also the opportunity to
link this directly to your school improvement plan.
This valuable document is available via the Equals Website.Feedback from sales have been
extremely positive.
Web Site Development
EQUALS were delighted to launch our new interactive website in March.
The new website contains a secure members area which trustees wish to further develop to
act as a portal through which schools can share good practice.
Equals materials can be viewed via the website and the new web site will facilitate order and
paying for materials on line.
Previews and tasters of new materials such as the new 19-25 materials and The Derbyshire
Early Years Foundation Stage Small Steps Profile can be reviewed via the website.
Trustees endeavour to further develop this resource so that it becomes an effective two way
communication conduit.
EQUALS SEN Summer Conference 2014
“Measuring the Changes and Finding the Solutions in SLD and PMLD Education”.
A summer conference is to be held on Friday 27th June 2014 at TheNational Council for
Voluntary Organisations, Society Building, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL
Delegates will have the opportunity to:

Listen to Barry Carpenter OBE, PhD. talk about current research and trends in the
population of children with special educational needs / disabilities (SEND). What does this
mean for the world of education and our schools?

Find out more about recent reforms, and opportunities presented by the new SEN Code of
Practice, in relation to children with Complex Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (CLDD).

Consider the use of ‘Mapping and Assessing Personal Progress’ (MAPP) as a resource to
support the process of setting personal learning intentions and assessing progress, and look
at its practical implementation at The Dales School, a co-educational special school for
children with severe and complex learning needs.

Consider the question of how to enable pupils with a range of communication difficulties to
become effective narrators both on and off the page: the importance of oracy in narrative
and literacy in the classroom.

Give input on the future direction of EQUALS and network with like-minded professionals.
.
I would like to once again on behalf of the EQUALS Charity trustees thank you for support
throughout the years.
Patrick Walsh
Chairperson of EQUALS