Q&A: ACADEMY21
Navigating the complexities of modern education
1. Why are so many educators looking for innovative and creative solutions to meet the needs of their pupils?
Why, indeed? The landscape of education has shifted dramatically over the past decade, particularly with the rise in complex Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Since qualifying as a SENDCo in 2012, I’ve observed a significant broadening in the range of needs that pupils bring into Early Years settings. We’ve seen an increase in speech, language, and communication needs, alongside a growing proficiency in young children navigating new technologies. However, this is juxtaposed with a decrease in language-rich home environments, where opportunities for verbal conversations and dialogic talk are limited.
A
s Executive Headteacher at Academy21 – with over a decade of experience in headship – and a parent of two, Amy Husband has witnessed the evolving landscape of education firsthand. The challenges and opportunities faced today are unprecedented, and they require innovative and creative solutions. Here, she addresses some pressing questions in education, drawing from her own experiences and insights.
Complex SEND needs are now better understood, and traits are identified earlier by families and professionals, leading to earlier formal identification of communication and interaction difficulties. Yet, the curriculum and traditional models of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision often lag behind these changes. This necessitates a creative approach to support both pupils and staff, ensuring everyone can thrive. Every educator I’ve worked with, from teachers to lunchtime staff, shares a common goal: to do
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the very best for the children in our care. But how do we achieve this? By embracing innovation and creativity, we can tailor our approaches to meet the diverse needs of our pupils, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed.
2. Suspensions and exclusions are widely reported as being on the rise, particularly in the context of children with additional needs. Why?
Why are we seeing this trend? Behaviour is a form of communication - a symptom, not a label. With the rise in complex communication needs, some children struggle to articulate their feelings and needs, often expressing themselves through physical or behavioural communication. In my 20 years as a teacher, SENDCo, and Headteacher, I’ve observed a trend towards labelling these behaviours as Social and Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) needs. However, this often masks an underlying communication and interaction need. We must first understand what these behaviours are trying to tell us. Is it a sensory need, a verbal need, or simply a call for attention? Children seeking interactions with the adults around them are simply trying to satisfy a basic, human need. We are social creatures and make sense of the world around us by observing and
September 2025
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