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Exciting New SEND Jobs Available Now for September

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 11:04:00 +0100

Are you ready to take your career in education to the next level? Look no further! Axcis offers a wealth of opportunities for the upcoming academic year. Whether you’re an experienced SEND professional or someone eager to break into this rewarding sector, we’ve got something special just for you.

Why choose Axcis?

1. Diverse Roles: From teaching assistants to school leadership positions, we offer a wide range of vacancies. Whether you’re interested in being a lunchtime supervisor, an exam invigilator, or a specialised teacher, we’ve got options that suit your personal situation.

2. Local Connections: Our dedicated teams operate across various regions, ensuring that you find local opportunities. We understand the importance of community connections and will guide you toward the perfect teaching or teaching assistant position right in your neighbourhood.

3. Passion Over Qualifications: At Axcis, we value passion, dedication, and compassion. Our schools are more interested in individuals who genuinely want to make a positive difference in students’ lives. Don’t let qualifications hold you back—your commitment matters most.

4. Free CPD Opportunities: As an added bonus, we offer loads of free Continuing Professional Development (CPD) options. These resources provide valuable insights, tools, and techniques to help you stay ahead in your career.

5. Your Perfect Match Awaits: Even if you haven’t found your dream role on our website today, don’t worry! New positions arrive daily, some filling up so quickly that they don’t even make it to our listings. Register online, create your profile, and we’ll notify you when the perfect match comes along.

6. Refer and Earn: Did you spot a job that would be ideal for a friend or family member? Recommend them to Axcis, and you could earn a £50 Amazon shopping voucher! Learn more about our referral program here and spread the word.

Let’s make a positive impact together as we support not just vulnerable children and young people, but our future generation overall!

Remember, taking action today is the key to unlocking the full potential of your career! So, don't wait! Click here to find your local Axcis team to get hired now.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2024

Fri, 10 May 2024 12:00:00 +0100

Mental health is your emotional, psychological and mental well-being. It affects how you think, feel and behave.

That's why we’re once again proud to support the Mental Health Foundation this Mental Health Awareness Week – 13 to 19 May. Join in and help to create a world with good mental health for all.

This year’s theme is movement: moving more for our mental health. Get involved by finding and sharing your moments for movement this Mental Health Awareness Week.

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #MomentsForMovement

For many people, it can be hard to talk about their mental health problems. This can make them feel isolated and alone.

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent,

but the one most responsive to change.” - Charles Darwin

Mental health is a subject that is often discussed in the media but rarely within the education sector. This is not surprising as there are many barriers to effective mental health support in schools. These include:

The stigma around mental health issues;
The fact that teachers and teaching assistants often feel responsible for their own and others' wellbeing;
Lack of time for reflection and development;
Lack of funding for training and support;
The lack of knowledge about mental health issues within the sector;
A reluctance to seek help due to fear of stigmatisation or discrimination;

As teachers and teaching assistants, we are constantly adapting to change. Working in education can be very stressful. The classroom environment is ever-changing and we must learn to cope with this. You have to deal with a wide range of issues from discipline to behaviour management and from different learning styles to helping students with special educational needs. Sometimes it can be difficult for us to deal with these changes and so it is important that you're able to manage your mental health in order to help the children in your classroom.

Here are some tips on how you can do this:

Take breaks when needed
Eat healthy snacks and meals and drink plenty of water
Get enough sleep (at least 7 hours)
Exercise regularly

Take time out from your busy schedule and have a break from it all every now and again. This may mean going somewhere where you can relax away from your normal routine. You might like to go for a walk in nature or visit a local café or park. It could also mean doing something completely different like going on holiday or spending time with family and friends.

Exercise can also help improve your mental health by boosting serotonin levels in your brain which helps improve sleep patterns and feelings of depression and anxiety. Taking part in physical activity such as walking, swimming or cycling helps reduce stress levels which may cause symptoms such as headaches, back pain or muscle tension.

If you find yourself feeling down or anxious about work or life in general, talk to someone about it. It can make all the difference to how you feel and it can help you feel better, faster.

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 13th to 19th May 2024. Click here to find out how you can get involved or find support for your own mental health.

Mental Health CPD Training

If you want to find out more about supporting students’ mental health then Axics offer a free CPD accredited course for all our registered candidates: Student Mental Well-Being - Training for Teachers & Staff 2023/24. The aim of this course is to support schools and staff in their understanding of policies and procedures around the mental well-being of children and young people. The course provides you with information regarding good practice on how schools should address the situation of pupils with mental health issues. To enrol please just email our Candidate Training team.

Are you looking for SEND staff or work?

If you're looking for a SEND teaching or support job in England or Wales, why not register with Axcis, the SEND recruitment specialists? Or perhaps you need to recruit staff for your school or provision? If so, why not take a look at the Axcis Website, or get in touch today to find out how we can help?

Top 10 tips to celebrate neurodiversity in your school

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 12:00:00 Z

As a SEND recruitment agency, we believe in the power of diversity and inclusion in our schools. That's why we're proud to sponsor organizations like The National Association of Special Educational Needs (nasen) and smaller charities like Become, and support a range of SEND events and CPD opportunities.

At Axcis, we're passionate about empowering the lives of vulnerable children and young people. We believe that every child deserves access to high-quality education and support, regardless of their needs or abilities. That's why we work with a wide range of schools and education providers to connect talented SEND staff with meaningful and rewarding roles.

We understand that neurodivergent individuals bring unique strengths and perspectives to our schools, and we're committed to creating inclusive and supportive environments where everyone can thrive. That’s why we’ve compiled these top 10 tips to help you celebrate neurodiversity in your school or classroom:

1. Host a school-wide celebration to recognise the contributions of neurodiverse students.

2. Promote positive messages about neurodiversity in the classroom and around the school.

3. Provide resources to parents and teachers on how to support neurodiverse students in the classroom.

4. Hold a panel discussion featuring neurodiverse students and professionals about their experiences in school.

5. Offer specialised workshops for teachers, teaching assistants, therapists, and support staff to learn how to best support neurodiverse students in the classroom.

6. Develop an “I Am Neurodiverse” campaign to showcase the unique talents and perspectives of neurodiverse students.

7. Create a neurodiversity task force to help develop school policies on neurodiversity.

8. Organise a class trip to a neurodiversity-focused organisation.

9. Invite speakers to discuss the importance of neurodiversity in the classroom.

10. Implement a “buddy system” between neurotypical and neurodiverse students.

Join us in celebrating #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek and let's work together to build a brighter future for all. Whether you're a teacher, teaching assistant, therapist, or support staff member, we're here to help you find a role where you can make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.

What else can I do to support Neurodiversity Celebration Week?

Visit the Neurodiversity Celebration Week website where you can sign-up and pledge your support, register for free events, download additional resources, and much, much more.

Are you looking for SEND staff or work?

What is a Cover Supervisor?

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 12:00:00 Z

What is a Cover Supervisor?

Cover Supervisors are suitably trained or experienced school staff who supervise pupils carrying out pre-prepared exercises when teaching staff are on short-term absence. The Cover Supervisor’s main job is to manage a classroom, ensuring that students remain on task with the work they have been set.

What's involved?

Cover Supervisor roles vary significantly depending on whether the role is undertaken in a primary, secondary or special school. The role however should not require any active teaching, marking or planning.

Main duties may include:

Supervising work that has been set in accordance with the school policy.
Managing the behaviour of pupils while they are undertaking this work to ensure a constructive learning environment.
Responding to any questions from pupils about processes and procedures.
Dealing with any immediate problems or emergencies according to the school’s policies and procedures.
Collecting any completed work after the lesson and returning it to the appropriate teacher.
Reporting back as appropriate using the school’s agreed referral procedures on the behaviour of pupils during the class, and any issues arising.
Coordinating and supporting teaching assistants / support staff in the classroom.

What skills, experience and qualifications do you need?

There are no specific qualifications required to become a Cover Supervisor - it is up to schools and local authorities to decide what qualifications and experience you will need to have. Some may employ Cover Supervisors based solely on their experience, others may require some form of minimum qualification.

As a minimum however, most schools require the following:

Previous, significant experience of working in an education environment
Excellent communication skills
Good behaviour management skills
A high degree of flexibility

Possible qualifications that schools may also look for include:

GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths at grade C or above
A recognised, relevant level 3 or level 4 qualification for supporting teaching and learning in schools
A degree

What training is available?

Axcis offers a Cover Supervisor course which is designed to ensure you have all the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in a Cover Supervisor role. More information can be found on our CPD Training and Career Development Page.

What’s next?

If you are interested in becoming a Cover Supervisor, speak to your consultant or local Axcis office to discuss your options further. Or if you are already a Cover Supervisor, check out our jobs pages to start applying for your next perfect role.

Kickstart Your Career in Special Needs Education

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 12:00:00 Z

Are you a recent graduate or school leaver looking to make a difference in the world? Do you have a passion for helping others, but aren’t sure where to start?

Look no further! At Axcis Education, we believe that everyone has the potential to contribute positively to the lives of children and young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

No Qualifications? No Problem!

While qualifications can be beneficial, they aren’t everything. We value passion, dedication, and a willingness to learn above all else. If you’re eager to start a career in special needs education but don’t have any qualifications yet, don’t worry. Axcis Education is here to guide you every step of the way.

Why Choose a Career in Special Needs Education?

Working with children and young adults with SEND is a rewarding and fulfilling career choice. Every day, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life. You’ll help students overcome challenges, develop new skills, and reach their full potential. Plus, you’ll grow both personally and professionally as you learn more about SEND and how to support these amazing individuals.

Why Axcis Education?

At Axcis Education, we’re committed to providing the best possible support for children and young adults with SEND. We offer comprehensive training and continuous professional development opportunities to ensure that our teaching assistants are well-equipped to meet the unique needs of our students.

How to Get Started

Getting started with Axcis Education is easy! Simply contact your local Axcis office to express your interest. We’ll guide you through the process, provide you with the necessary training, and match you with a role that suits your skills and interests.

Remember, everyone has to start somewhere. Even if you don’t have any qualifications yet, your passion and dedication can make a huge difference in the lives of children and young adults with SEND. So why wait? Kickstart your career in special needs education with Axcis Education today!

nasen LIVE 2024 - Proudly sponsored by Axcis Education

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 09:00:00 Z

We are delighted to confirm that nasen LIVE will be taking place at Resorts World, NEC in Birmingham on 5^th July 2024!

Make sure you join our partners, nasen, for a host of unmissable workshops and panels as they return for another essential SEND event, with this years’ theme being ‘Inclusive Practice in Action.’

If you aren't nasen member already, make sure that you sign up for their free membership to receive their regular newsletter which will include the latest speaker and exhibitor announcements.

We look forward to seeing you at the show!

Not sure what to expect from nasen LIVE? Take a look at the post-event video below from the nasen LIVE 2023 show to hear from a wealth of delegates, speakers and SEND specialists on exactly what makes nasen Live so special.

Musical instruments to make with your class

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 16:12:40 +0100

With World Music Day around the corner, what better project to do with your children than create some instruments with them? Even better if you can bring a discussion about reusing or recycling into it, too! Here are our top ideas.

1. Easter Egg Maracas

The intention with this project is not to go out and buy a load of plastic eggs – the idea is to use what you have, so if (like me) you can’t stand to throw away the little pods that come in Kinder Eggs and you happen to have a drawer full of them at home, why not bring them in and let your class create some fun shakers or maracas with them? If the school canteen uses plastic spoons, collect and wash some and use these to create handles. With the addition of a few beans or a small handful of rice, you have the start of your DIY orchestra!

2. Tin Can/Crisp Tube Drums

Back to that “junk modelling” box to see what else I couldn’t stand to see go to landfill… and what do I find but some old crisp tubes and tin cans. Simply re-use the plastic lid, or stretch a balloon over the top and you have some instant drums.

3. Lolly Stick Harmonica

When browsing for ideas online, I came across this lovely idea to make simple harmonicas using some wax paper and lolly sticks. Most craft cupboards have these basic items, so why not give them a try?

4. Straw Pipes

By simply cutting straws to different lengths and taping them together, you can create this simple version of pan pipes. As this instrument is a bit less noisy than many, parents are sure to appreciate this one!

5. Gong!

If you have a couple of old foil catering trays, you can create this fun instrument by simply taping them together and using a cardboard tube to strike them – GONG! Kids love this one!

6. Castanets

Another chance to look through that junk modelling box for inspiration. If you have some bottle caps or something else that will suffice, you can have a go at making these simple castanets.

7. Mini Banjo

With some elastic bands, a lolly stick and a lid from an old jar, you can make these fun little mini banjos. Adjust the tension of the bands to create different notes and away you play!

8. Ankle/Wrist Bells

Take (or make) a bracelet and attach some bells to create some music while you move. Alternatively, attach them to paper plates for a home-made tambourine.

Do you like to craft with kids?

If you like the idea of crafting with kids, why not consider a classroom based role as a teaching assistant? At Axcis, we are always on the lookout for people with a passion for inspiring the next generation, so why not register on our website and see what jobs we can find for you?

Deciphering the Language of Behaviour

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 13:04:43 +0100

Guest blogger Graham Chatterely, regularly shares tips as educations resources in our Axcis blog. As a former senior leader of a specialist SEMH provision, Author, Director of "Changing Perceptions Limited" and regular presenter on Teacher Hug radio, Graham has extensive knowledge in the sector. He is also a dedicated father and two of his children have additional SEND needs. His experience in school settings and understanding of challenges at home offer profound insight.

Deciphering the Language of Behaviour

During Christmas 2019 I left my job as Assistant Head at a school I love, with staff I loved and kids I loved, but a Headteacher I didn’t love. I think we can call it creative differences and there were many reasons I had to go but the day I decided for definite was when I was asked to accept that systems were more important than relationships. There isn’t a fiber of my being that believes that and despite my best efforts I wasn’t going to change any minds so I decided that it had become time for something new.

I have been providing outreach support for some time and have developed my own training. I therefore decided to set up my own company, rather than seek another leadership role. With the pressures of home and the school workload I had dropped out of the NPQH so I couldn’t progress in that respect.

The first thing I needed was a name…

What is it I wanted to achieve? I went through the different parts of the course and which were the most relevant. The whole premise of the training is the idea that if we can increase staff understanding of children’s challenging behaviour then we can change the way staff react in times of crisis. More empathy for the “why” of behaviour creates a different response to the “what”. Therefore, what I’m actually trying to do is change the way staff perceive behaviour. For example – a realisation that a child is being disruptive because they are scared of failing at the work – rather than because they fancy giving a personal attack that day – means a different reaction from the staff – which in turn helps to reduce conflict. This also has a positive knock-on effect for staff wellbeing.

Challenging Perceptions Limited was born.

Now I needed a name for my main course; it used to be called ‘Reworking the Conflict Spiral’. Based on the Team Teach conflict spiral, it looked at how experiences like trauma, failure etc impact on feelings like low self esteem, frustration and anger. This drives avoidant and aggressive behaviour and how we as staff react depends on whether we end up with conflict. We often use punitive measures due to the policies in place at most schools.

If we rework this so that the reactions are less punitive and more empathetic then we can change experiences. Instead of failure, negativity and believing that adults are scary and can’t be trusted, they can become; I can do this, I can be more positive, adults can be trusted and that I might be different but that’s OK. These children then feel safer, like they belong and have more self-worth. This leads to a child who is calmer and who can access strategies because they are regulated and can remember them. We end up with no conflict because they can self-regulate.

Unfortunately, as I designed this course while in post at school, it officially “belongs” to them and as such I have been unable to bring it with me to my new venture and I was advised to design a new course. So that’s what I did – it was following an incident at school and a LinkedIn post that resulted. The post read;

“I had a pupil make quite a significant disclosure today. Something that had been weighing on him for weeks.”
“How did he tell me he wanted to disclose this?”
“He tried to abscond, damaged displays, stabbed me with a screw, messed with my phone and stole my keys. When I didn’t hold him, send him home, fight with him for the equipment or threaten him with a consequence he came into another room and explained everything.”

Behaviour is a language and we all speak it if we take the time to decipher it!

Now usually the only time one of my LinkedIn posts is viewed a lot is if it’s a video of Daniel (my disabled genius slash spawn of Satan son) and I’m cool with that, he’s far more interesting than I am. However this one seemed to strike a chord and I had loads of comments and lots of questions about it. When I had put the final sentence on I hadn’t thought much of it. I was doing my job, it’s a position I’ve been in before, something about his body language didn’t make me feel threatened and if it did escalate I knew I had the skills to manage it. That child needed to know I wouldn’t be pushed away and I wouldn’t reject him – and when he felt like he could trust me – he offloaded.

That’s the thing with our most challenging pupils. They are bottling up all sorts of emotions and don’t feel safe enough or trust anyone enough to share them. Eventually it overflows and we often see extreme behaviours as a result. We have to do our best to take a step back and we have to look behind the behaviour.

So I decided to call my course ‘Deciphering the Language of Behaviour’ and that’s what I am trying to help people do. It’s the same principal with a lot of the same content as my previous course and raising understanding and empathy is still the focus. We have to pass some tests to prove we are worthy enough to earn their trust. You may be the only adult in their life who has ever been trusted and that is a very special thing.

If you'd like to learn from Graham and his work then don't hesitate to check out his book Building Positive Behaviour: Returning to learning using a Sequential Approach which is available for purchase on amazon or follow him on twitter @grahamchatterl2 .

5 Gift Ideas for Father's Day

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 15:11:58 +0100

Run out of ideas for Father's Day gifts? These 5 simple, home made gift ideas are sure to make an impression on dad. Perfect for making in the classroom with students or at home.

1. Calendar Blocks

For a simple but effective gift idea, consider making calendar blocks. If you don’t have scrap wood off-cuts, why not raid the kids toy box? Most of us have a set of wooden blocks in there somewhere! To make this awesome gift, you will need:

2 Cubes of wood
One long/oblong block of wood (that the two cubes will fit on top of)
Velcro strips, magnetic tape or flat Lego blocks
Decorating materials – paper/card/paint etc.

To make this lovely gift, start by decorating your blocks (or leave them rustic for a more natural feel). Then add numbers/fixings to each block as follows:

Block 1 (cube) – put numbers on each face of the cube – 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Block 2 (cube) – put these numbers of each face of the cube – 0, 1, 2, 6, 7, 8

Block 3 (oblong) – fix your Velcro/flat Lego block to one face – your months will attach to this.

Using good quality card, or laminated paper, create 12 strips of the appropriate size and put each month of the year on them. On the reverse of these strips, put the “matching” Velcro/Lego so that they will fix to your oblong block. Voila! You have a set of calendar blocks which can be used year after year. You can add another set of blocks for days of the week if you wish, or you can leave this part off – it’s up to you!

2. Make a Mug

You can pick up a plain white mug from most supermarkets for about a pound, and you can get ceramic pens/paints from most good craft stores, or online. Along with a bit of inspiration, that’s all you’ll need to create a lovely personalised mug for your dad this Father’s Day. You’ll need to bake your mug at 170C for about 40 mins to fix the design and prevent it from washing off. Who doesn’t love a new mug? Ideal for use at home or work, your Dad is sure to appreciate this lovely personal gift.

3. Lolly Pop Plant Pot

If you have a nice decorative plant pot, this is an ideal starting point. Alternatively you could use a plain white ceramic pot and decorate it in much the same way you can decorate a mug, then use it for this project.

Into the pot, place some florists oasis foam, or cut up some old polystyrene packaging to fit inside. Add to this a range of colourful lolly pops, and perhaps a cute home-made sign and voila! You have a lovely personal gift for dad!

4. Tin Can Desk Tidy

Cheap tins of tomatoes (without the pull tops) work well for this, because the old-school way of opening tins tends to leave you with a nice smooth top (no cut fingers from jagged tins, please!) and the acid from the tomatoes leaves the inside of the tin stain-free and easy to rinse out and use. Although any tin works, this is what I’ve personally found to be best for this type of project. Simple spray the can with undercoat to give a nice finish to work on, then decorate away for a personalised pen pot. You could even order some personalised pens/pencils to go inside as an added touch.

5. Dad Rocks! Paperweight

Next time you’re in the garden, keep an eye out for a nice big, round stone to use for this project. Again, spraying with undercoat first will give you a smoother surface to start working with. From there, you can decorate your paperweight using paint, sequins – anything really! Ideal for use as a paperweight but this could also be used to make a BBQ napkin weight or door stop – ideal for breezy summer days!

Any More Ideas?

Do you have any simple Father’s Day craft ideas to add to our list? Or perhaps you’ve made one of these and would like to share your efforts – either way, we’d love to hear from you!

Are you seeking SEND staff or Work?

If you’re looking for a SEND teaching or support job in England or Wales, why not register with Axcis, the SEND recruitment specialists? Or perhaps you need to recruit staff for your school or provision? If so, why not take a look at the Axcis Website, or get in touch today to find out how we can help?

June Giveaway - Win with Axcis Education

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 12:00:00 +0100

With Father’s Day being the highlight of June, our June 2022 giveaway offers you the opportunity to win a copy of Kim Johnson’s book A Journey to and Beyond the Blackboard: Memories of a Boy Who Became a Maverick Headteacher.

An autobiographical novel detailing Mr Johnson's life from his childhood in Germany and Cyprus to working and experiencing the highs and lows of working in education with young people with complex educational needs.

This is a fantastic resource, not just for Headteachers, senior leaders or SENCOs but all educators, especially those who work with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), complex and additional needs.

About the prize

Written during the 2020 lockdown, Kim Johnson’s 39 years in education (22 years as a Headteacher/Principal) offers wealth of insight as you can see in the description of the book below,

Kim Johnson has spent his life striving to achieve outstanding education specifically for children with special educational needs, and to bring fulfillment and confidence to each and every one of his students’ lives.

A journey to and Beyond the Blackboard follows the highs and lows of a life devoted to helping others, at times at a detriment to his own personal life.

It examines the relationships with his colleagues, associates and students.

His authority, knowledge and experience in his chosen pathway leading to the corridors of Westminster – and he still rides his Harley.

The perfect book for summer break reading! Don’t miss out on your chance to win this invaluable resource!

Kim Johnson is on twitter if you’d like to follow his content @KimJ1955

How to enter

To enter our free monthly giveaway and be in with a chance of winning this great prize, you can either take a quick peek at our Facebook page, Tweet us, or sign up on our website for work and you’ll be in with a chance to win. Follow the link below and you’ll be sent to our third party giveaway page (run on there to keep things fair and square) – where you can choose your method of entry and get your name in the hat for your chance to win.

ENTER THE FREE GIVEAWAY HERE

T&Cs apply, available here.

June Awareness Days

Our monthly prizes often coincide with SEND related campaigns both nationally and internationally. Here is a list of awareness days for June 2022 if you’d like to support or follow along:

6-12 June - Carers Week
7 June - Tourette's awareness Day (International)
10 June - National School Business Leaders Day
12-18 June - Drowning Prevention Week
13-17 June - Loneliness Awareness Week
14-17 June - Learning Disability Week
14-20 June Diabetes Awareness Week
18 June - Autistic Pride Day (International)
19-24 June - National School Sport Week
19 June - Wallace & Gromit's Wrong Trousers Day (Southwest England Specific)
19 June - Father's Day
20-26 June - Children's Hospice Week
21 June - World Music Day
21 June - Bring Your Dog to work day (International)
27 June - 1 July - World Wellbeing Week (International)
27 June - 2 July - Deafblind Awareness Week
28 June - 18 July - Children's Art Week

Are you looking for SEND work or staff?

COVID and the lost transition time – where will it leave our children in September?

Sun, 03 Oct 2021 13:06:22 +0100

UK news has been dominated in the last few weeks by reports of how many children have been missing school due to being at home self-isolating. But June and July are critical times for preparing children for their September transition, so what will the fallout be like in the new school year and how can schools mitigate against the impact of lost transition time?

The numbers

At the time of writing this article, The Metro reported that:

"On July 8, 11.2% of all state school pupils were recorded as absent, up from 8.5% on July 1 and well over double the rate on June 24 (5.1%).The vast majority of pupils missing from classrooms are self-isolating due to a possible contact (747,000) while 39,000 have tested positive. A further 39,000 stayed off school with a suspected case but had yet to return a positive test."

That’s a lot of children missing school at the end of June and into July. Some might argue that this is not really a problem because it’s the end of the school year and children are mainly revising or doing fun activities now anyway – so in theory not a great deal of learning has been lost. However, it is a critical time for transition activities which take place to prepare children for a new teacher, class or school in September.

What are transition activities and why are they important?

Transition activities are activities aimed at reducing the stress of transitioning to a new teacher, school or year group. They usually involve students doing fun things with their new teacher so they can get used to them and start building a positive relationship ahead of the new school year. For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), this can be especially important. Autistic children for example thrive on routine and knowing what comes next. It is therefore likely to be especially stressful for them to come to a new provision or class where they will not know their surroundings, teachers or support staff. For some individuals, this can trigger extremely negative reactions such as school refusal or emotional meltdowns – which doesn’t exactly set the stage for a successful term.

Even for children without SEND, it’s a lot to handle. My son is moving to year 3 in September in a lovely village school, but it took him a long time to get used to his year 1/2 (it’s a 0.5 form entry school) teacher and to develop a positive working relationship with him. He has been at home self isolating with me for two weeks (once because of being a contact then again when he contracted the virus). As a result of this, he has missed out on a host of opportunities to spend time and have fun with the staff who will be working with him next year. I’ve discussed in previous blog posts the importance of having positive relationships between children and their teachers – especially with children who struggle with social and emotional issues. Without this foundation, are teachers likely to launch into the curriculum with high expectations of their students in September without first having built a valuable relationship foundation? And will this lead to issues along the way making the transition more difficult for staff and students alike?

What can schools do to mitigate lost transition time?

It is really important (in my humble opinion) that schools take the time to think about how they can mitigate against this lost transition time. Here are a few ideas I have had which could help:

1 – New Teacher Pen Pal

What if the new teacher sent a note or a video message to each of the children they will be working with in September, telling them a bit about themselves and asking for the child to write or send a similar video message back? This could work while children are at home self isolating or during the holidays (which I know is non-contact time for teachers but we are living in unprecedented times…) Just seeing a familiar face and feeling like you know them a little bit can take a lot of the stress away for children when starting with a new teacher.

2 – Video Tour

If a child is due to start at a new provision or in a new classroom in September, being familiar with the surroundings can be helpful. It might therefore ease the transition if the new class teacher could do a video of the provision and/or classroom, telling the students all about it in a friendly and informative way. They could show them where certain resources are, how to get to the toilets and anything else that might be handy. Children who are particularly anxious about the move could watch the video as many times as they like until they feel familiar and less worried about their transition.

3 – Online Class Games

The provision or teacher aren’t the only things that could be new in September – some children will also be dealing with getting to know new classmates. Another suggestion might therefore be a whole-class group activity or two – perhaps a quiz or some show-and-tell sessions – anything that allows the children to see the faces of others who will be in their class come September and afford them a bit of familiarity. If it’s a transition to a new school, students could be coming from a range of settings, so an activity like this might be best done in an evening for maximum attendance – but again, it could prove to be worth it’s weight in gold.

4 – Start Slowly

If transition activities are not possible this side of the new academic year, how about doing them in September? Taking time to play games, build relationships and spend time together doing something fun for the first week or so of term could be of huge benefit to many children. Even better if a staff member already known to the children can be involved and gradually “hand over” to the new teacher.

Your Ideas?

Above are just a few suggestions for COVID-friendly transition activities that schools could run to support their students ahead of the new school year, but you may have more ideas… and we’d love it if you could share them! You could post a comment below or visit our Twitter page (@axcis) and use the tag #transitions to get the conversation going. You never know, your ideas could help children who have been stuck at home this half term!

Are you looking for a teaching or support job for September?

Why do more females than males work in education and how can we attract more men?

Sun, 03 Oct 2021 13:04:56 +0100

In June 2021, the DfE released updated statistics on the school workforce in England. It shows that on average, 75% of teachers are female – this is consistent with data from previous years. But why is teaching still a female-dominated profession and how can we attract more males into the education workforce?

First, some stats

The most recent School Workforce Census reveals some interesting facts about the breakdown of staff in the sector. Some of these findings are summarised below:

962,638 staff members are employed in the education sector – of these, 5 in 10 are teachers, 3 in 10 are teaching assistants and 2 in 10 are other staff
461,088 teachers are employed – that’s an increase of 7000 since 2019
271,370 teaching assistants are employed – that’s an increase of 6000 since 2019
43,516 people have entered the profession since 2019 – that’s a decrease of 4%
34, 116 people have left the profession since 2019 – that’s a decrease of 17% since 2019
The mean pay for a teacher in 2020 was £41,799 – an increase of 3.1% since 2019
Pupil to teacher ratio is 20.6 in primary settings and 16.6 in secondary – that’s fairly consistent with previous years
75% of classroom teachers are female, and 67% of headteachers are female

So why are there fewer men working in education?

Tradition?

There could be a number of reasons why men are less likely to enter the teaching profession in England. One such possibility is that in the past, teaching was seen as more of a “women’s role”. This was because women were thought to be more nurturing by nature and more suited to this sort of work – perhaps because it involved children and historically, women stayed at home to care for the young while men went out to work. It is possible that this perception is still echoing through the ages. In my personal situation, it certainly played a part in my decision to undertake teacher training. Working term-time hours would allow me to be at home for any children that came along when they were on school holidays. Meanwhile, my boyfriend was out chasing the pound and getting into highly paid sales roles… so in part, an element of tradition may come into it.

Pay gap?

It is no secret that there is still a pay divide between men and women. The gender pay gap in 2020 among all employees was 15.5% according to the Office of National Statistics. The teaching profession keeps gender on a relatively level playing field when it comes to pay – there are nationally set pay scales and clear routes for progressing through the teaching ranks, so perhaps women are more inclined to go for a profession which is ultimately more likely to treat them fairly when compared to men. However, this does not hold true when looking at senior appointments as (proportionally) more men make it to headship level than women in the sector – so there is still a clear divide there.

Flexibility?

Women are more likely to require flexible work than men. They are likely to need a decent maternity package at some point in their lives and are more likely than men to request part-time hours due to family and other commitments. It is therefore possible that more women enter teaching with this in mind, whereas men may focus more on the “bread winning” aspect of their profession when choosing a career.

Why does the profession need men?

Regardless of the reason why fewer men join the education workforce, it doesn’t change the fact that more men are needed in the profession. At Axcis, we are regularly contacted by schools who feel that a man would be more suited to a particular role than a woman. This is often to do with the child or children in the class or the nature of the role. For example, a male PE teacher might be needed for an all-boys school because they will be required to enter changing rooms and a woman would be perceived as inappropriate for such a posting. Or in some SEND settings, older boys may need help with personal care matters such as going to the toilet and would be more comfortable receiving support from a male member of staff than a female. In other SEND situations, it may simply be a relational issue – children with SEMH concerns who have experienced trauma at the hands of a female may be better supported by a male staff member. Some children are also very strong, so schools supporting teenagers who are prone to explosive, physical outbursts may perceive that a male staff member may be better suited to work in such a class. Or a child may simply be lacking a male role model in their life and a school may feel that a male member of support staff would be appropriate. Whatever the reason, the profession needs more guys!

So how can we attract more males into the education workforce?

That is the million dollar (or pound) question. As employers advertising for staff, we are not legally allowed to discriminate on the basis of age, gender or a host of other factors, so we are treading on dodgy ground when it comes to advertising for male staff. That’s why we don’t see a great many adverts asking for this. However, it doesn’t change the fact that many schools are crying out for more male staff members. Perhaps the solution is for the government to make it a more attractive career option for men, but how could they do this? Simple – the same way that they make it more attractive for everyone – by listening to the workforce and responding.

Take South Korea for example, they have no problem recruiting male teaching staff because in their society, teaching is a very high profile job. Teachers have outstanding pay and conditions attached to the job and as such the profession has huge numbers of applicants. They can therefore be highly selective when it comes to who they take on and can balance gender etc. more easily. It also tends to raise the bar in terms of the quality of applicants. This in turn raises the public profile of teachers and keeps it an attractive career prospect. In contrast, when I trained as a teacher, I received comments ranging from “those who can’t – teach” and “must be nice to have a part-time job and all those holidays”. Public perception counts for a lot!

Are you looking for an education job?

Whether you are male or female, young or old, if you’re looking for a teaching or support staff role in the education sector then we’d love to hear from you. Axcis Education specialises in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This ranges from roles for support staff in mainstream primary and secondary schools and teachers for pupil referral units and MLD schools (which make ideal posts for mainstream teachers looking for a role that’s a bit different) to staff for more specialist settings for children with profound autism and learning/physical difficulties which generally require people with a bit more specialist knowledge. Whatever your level of expertise, why not get in touch with your nearest office or register on our website to start applying for our current jobs?

Axcis July Giveaway: Stomp Rocket

Sun, 03 Oct 2021 13:03:02 +0100

Whether you’re teaching children about aerodynamics, air pressure, space and rockets or just want to have a bit of fun, everyone is sure to enjoy playing with this stomp rocket! Enter our July giveaway for a chance to win one of your own.

About the prize

100% KID powered: Run, jump and STOMP to launch these rockets up to 400 feet in the air — that’s longer than a football field, including the end zones!
Includes a Stomp Launcher and 3 Super High Performance Rockets. No batteries required; super easy, fast assembly
Take Stomp Rocket to the park or on vacation, and you’ll be amazed at how many children and adults want to play! Great for year round fun to get kids away from screen time and more active outside
Award-winning products from industry experts, including iParenting Media, Dr. Toy, and Creative Child Magazine. Great for year round fun to get kids away from screen time and more active outside
Pair with Stomp Rocket Science book and get kids interested in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) early. Ages 9 and up

How to enter

Our giveaways are always free to enter, no strings attached! We offer several entry methods so you can either take a quick peek at our Facebook page, Tweet us or sign up on our website for work and you’ll be in with a chance to win. Follow the link below and you’ll be sent to our third party giveaway page (run on there to keep things fair and square) – where you can choose your method of entry and get your name in the hat for this great prize!

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE

Are you looking for SEND work or staff?

Please note, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Any funds raised help us to maintain our charitable partnerships with nasen and the National Autistic Society.

Axcis SEND Book Corner

Sun, 03 Oct 2021 12:13:28 +0100

Do you want to stay up to date with the latest or most popular SEND books so you can support your personal or professional practice? If the answer is yes, then you’ve come to the right place – welcome to the Axcis SEND Book Corner!

This month’s books

ADHD is our superpower

If you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you might struggle with things like concentrating in school, or sitting still, or remembering lots of instructions. But ADHD is also a superpower.

In this book you will meet different girls and boys with ADHD who can do amazing things. You might recognise some of these strengths as things that you can do too! Some of these strengths help with everyday life, like being able to hyper-focus on a task or having boundless energy to try new things. Some strengths are superpowers for interacting with others, like having a strong sense of what is fair or entertaining friends and family to make them feel happy.

Why can’t you hear me?

In the early hours of 28th July 2016, Colette McCulloch was hit by a lorry and killed on the A1. Eighteen hours earlier she had walked out of the specialist care facility for autistic adults where she was being treated.

Here, Andy and Amanda McCulloch tell the story of their daughter’s life and untimely death: the years in which her autism went undiagnosed, her lifelong battle with eating disorders and the lack of support for her complex needs. The book is interspersed with Colette’s own vivid and eloquent writing, her poetry and prose articulating her experiences grappling with a world forever at odds with her. Colette’s story is a call to action and ultimately leaves a message of hope for a future in which autistic people will be better understood and able to flourish.

Understanding ADHD in women and girls

Written by expert professionals, this book provides comprehensive information about available support for women and girls with ADHD and tips for clinicians and professionals who work with them.

The symptoms of ADHD are no less impairing in females than males, but can be missed or misunderstood. This book arms professionals, parents, and women themselves as it maps out where to go for information, who can help and how to understand ADHD better. It explains routes to assessment and diagnosis for girls and young women, how to access support in education, available treatments, and the impact of living with ADHD on overall mental health. It explores the benefits of ADHD coaching for girls to help develop their unique strengths and talents.

There is also a focus on ADHD diagnosis for women in adulthood and specific advice about treatment and medication for later in life. Central to the book are the personal experiences of ADHD from women and girls from a variety of backgrounds. These tell of late diagnosis, missed opportunities, a lifetime of adaptations and the power of recognition and treatment and are powerful stories for professionals and individuals with ADHD alike.

All cats are on the autism spectrum

This updated edition of the bestselling All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome provides an engaging, gentle introduction to autism.

All-new cats take a playful look at the world of autism, and these fun feline friends will strike a chord with all those who are familiar with typical autistic traits, bringing to life common characteristics such as sensory sensitivities, social issues and communication difficulties.

Touching, humorous and insightful, this book evokes all the joys and challenges of being on the autism spectrum, leaving the reader with a sense of the dignity, individuality and the potential of autistic people.

PDA in the therapy room

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) presents a unique challenge for professionals, whereby conventional therapy methods are often perceived as demands and met with opposition where they normally would have proven effective. This guide sets out the most effective strategies for clinicians to provide the best care for children with PDA, adapting conventional modes of therapy to suit their needs. Methods include indirect techniques such as play-based therapy or trauma-informed approaches enabling the child to process their experiences on their own terms.

With additional guidance for supporting the families of patients and addressing common obstacles, this book provides understanding and guidance for professionals making a difference to the lives of children with PDA.

Are you seeking SEND work or staff?

Please note, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Any funds raised help us to maintain our charitable partnerships with nasen and the National Autistic Society.