National Association of Special Schools (NASS)
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nasschools.bsky.social
National Association of Special Schools (NASS)
@nasschools.bsky.social
130 followers 120 following 72 posts
NASS is a membership organisation representing over 450 special schools in England and Wales providing support, advice, information, events, training and a strong voice for non local authority maintained special schools.
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nasschools.bsky.social
Help shape the future of special schools - become a NASS trustee!

We are seeking 2 trustees to join our board as we enter an important period of growth and influence.

Deadline: 7th Nov

Find out more and how to apply: www.nasschools.org.uk/jobs/advert-...
October 29, 2025 at 1:11 PM
nasschools.bsky.social
Help shape the future of special schools - become a NASS trustee!

We are seeking two trustees to join our board as we enter an important period of growth and influence.

Deadline: 7th Nov

Find out more and how to appy: www.nasschools.org.uk/jobs/advert-...
October 29, 2025 at 1:10 PM
nasschools.bsky.social
Could your school’s cash reserves be working harder?

In our guest blog, Robert Evans from CCLA shares how charitable & not-for-profit schools can boost income and support their work. A must-read for bursars & finance leads 👇
www.linkedin.com/pulse/making...
Making every penny work harder: how schools can get more income from their cash reserves
By Robert Evans, Senior Portfolio Manager at CCLA Investment Management As a NASS-associated special school, you’re no doubt aware that the pressure on school budgets continues to increase. An April 2...
www.linkedin.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Reposted by National Association of Special Schools (NASS)
ippr.org
🎧 New episode of Talking Inclusion... with @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social is live!

Historical underinvestment in SEND education has left too many children waiting for support, explains Claire Dorer CEO of @nasschools.bsky.social

👉: open.spotify.com/episode/4pW1...
"Inclusion is more than place" with Claire Dorer
Talking Inclusion… With Geoff Barton · Episode
open.spotify.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:16 PM
nasschools.bsky.social
Good morning from Day 1 of #NASSConf2025!
Chairs ready, tables set and waiting for these seats to be filled by some of the sharpest minds in the SEND sector.

Stay tuned for updates throughout the day 👇
#SEND #SpecialEducation
October 2, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Reposted by National Association of Special Schools (NASS)
hex-productions.bsky.social
The HeX team is looking forward to helping education professionals explore ways that digital #accessibility can help all students to thrive at the @nasschools.bsky.social Conference.

If you're attending come to stall 11 and pay us a visit!

#NASSConf2025 #Education #FurtherEducation #A11y
September 30, 2025 at 1:39 PM
nasschools.bsky.social
In July, @departmentforedu.bsky.social published updated RSHE guidance, with schools expected to adapt by Sept 2026.

We asked Nicky Waring, RSE Trainer at Sex Education Forum charity, to highlight key changes & what they mean for SEND learners. Read her briefing👇
www.linkedin.com/pulse/2026-r...
2026 RSHE Guidance and teaching learners with SEND
by Nicky Waring, RSE Trainer & Specialist, Sex Education Forum New RSHE guidance has been released to be implemented in September 2026, but schools can start to make changes this academic year. Althou...
www.linkedin.com
September 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by National Association of Special Schools (NASS)
dcpcampaign.bsky.social
We are unaware of any evidence at all that backs up Richard Tice’s random assertion. Nor are we aware of Reform having a policy on special educational needs and disabilities.
Newspaper headline. Text reads "Reform UK's deputy leader claims parents are 'using and abusing' free taxis for SEND children and warns 'unsustainable' spending will bankrupt local councils"
September 1, 2025 at 7:50 PM
nasschools.bsky.social
Less than 2 months to #NASSConf2025!
Bristol | 2-3 Oct 2025

2 days of keynotes, panel discussions, workshops & networking for #SEND leaders.

Residential SOLD OUT — day tickets still available!

Book your place: www.nasschools.org.uk/events/nassc...
August 12, 2025 at 10:31 AM
nasschools.bsky.social
NASS CEO Claire Dorer challenges @libdems.org.uk harmful policy proposals for special schools and misleading claims.

Read full response 👇
www.linkedin.com/pulse/profit...
Profit Caps on special schools? It could threaten vital support for children and young people with SEND
The debate around profit in children’s services is emotive and often motivated by personal morals, but policymaking must be rooted in evidence, clear definitions, and a full understanding of the syste...
www.linkedin.com
August 6, 2025 at 10:43 AM
nasschools.bsky.social
NASS CEO Claire Dorer shares @captaink77.bsky.social and @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social 's opinion on this "vaseline on the lens" look at the safety valve programme👇

www.linkedin.com/posts/nasssc...
July 21, 2025 at 8:53 AM
nasschools.bsky.social
On Friday, the government confirmed that the statutory override shielding councils from the impact of SEND deficits will be extended to 2028. This offers some short-term breathing space. However, without a long-term solution, the pressure on councils continues to build.

🧵1/5
June 23, 2025 at 11:35 AM
nasschools.bsky.social
How will the Employment Rights Bill affect your special school?

NASS members are invited to a free webinar on 10 July with James Sage from @rwkgoodman.bsky.social, breaking down the biggest changes to employment law in 50+ years.

Book your free place: www.nasschools.org.uk/events/emplo...
June 19, 2025 at 2:17 PM
nasschools.bsky.social
@seeability.bsky.social has launched a new short film for #LearningDisabilityWeek to raise awareness of how people with learning disability can get support with eye care.
seeability.bsky.social SeeAbility @seeability.bsky.social · Jun 17
Our new eye care film is out for #LearningDisabilityWeek

We’re busting myths & showing how people with learning disabilities can get support with eye care.

Thanks to George Webster, our eye care champions & The Village School.

https://www.seeability.org/news/seeability-releases-new-eye-care-film
June 17, 2025 at 11:18 AM
nasschools.bsky.social
In this week's blog, Nicky, Head of HR & Finance at @ForestBridgeSch shares the 'transformational' impact of a workforce development course by @DrMattSilver & NASS.

A must-read for school leaders aiming to build values-led, resilient teams
www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-f...
From fire-fighting to future-proofing: A strategic journey in workforce development
Recruitment and retention are challenges many special schools face — but what happens when you move beyond quick fixes and start treating workforce planning as a strategic priority? In this guest blog...
www.linkedin.com
June 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
nasschools.bsky.social
We're proud to join 70 organisations calling for real investment in early years.

Children with SEND need more than promises, they need support from the start. The #SpendingReview must deliver for babies, young children & families. buff.ly/RVogQQq
June 3, 2025 at 11:45 AM
nasschools.bsky.social
NASS members — don’t miss our free webinar tomorrow (Tues 3 June) with Dr Kate Chhatwal OBE (CEO, Challenge Partners) & Lisa Bond (Treloar's School) on how Challenge Partners helps special schools improve through collaboration, challenge & leadership
👉 Book now: www.nasschools.org.uk/events/chall...
June 2, 2025 at 9:43 AM
nasschools.bsky.social
Challenge Partners latest report shows how special schools share vital expertise in inclusion, tailored learning & wellbeing.

Want to learn more? On 3 June, we're hosting a webinar with @katechhatwal.bsky.social, Challenge Partner's CEO & Lisa Bond, Head of School @treloars.bsky.social

More info👇
schoolsweek.bsky.social Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · May 21
🔬 'The report paints a portrait of a profession deepening its curriculum and pedagogical approaches, prioritising wellbeing, using technology more strategically and increasingly tailoring provision to meet diverse needs'

@katechhatwal.bsky.social
schoolsweek.co.uk/how-schools-...
The Knowledge: How schools meeting challenges old and new
Our new report shows a sector impatient for innovation in difficult times
schoolsweek.co.uk
May 22, 2025 at 8:11 AM
nasschools.bsky.social
It's important to highlight evidence like this, which demonstrates the value and impact that specialist provision can have.
May 9, 2025 at 1:58 PM
nasschools.bsky.social
Our final #NASSAwards2024 spotlight!
Gretton School won the Outstanding Impact award for transforming lives by embedding a whole-school approach to Relational Practice - placing connection, consistency & positive relationships at the heart of every interaction
www.linkedin.com/pulse/embedd...
April 30, 2025 at 3:55 PM
nasschools.bsky.social
Join @nasschools.bsky.social and Still Human for a 60-min Menopause Awareness for All webinar on Tues 7 May, 4pm.

Whether you’re a teacher, leader, partner, or simply want to support others—this session is for you.

🔗 Book now:
www.nasschools.org.uk/events/menop...
Menopause awareness for all - 7th May 2025 | NASS
The session aims to normalise discussions around menopause at work without normalising suffering.
www.nasschools.org.uk
April 30, 2025 at 3:07 PM
nasschools.bsky.social
New allergen guidance for non-prepackaged foods was published last month by @foodgov.bsky.social

Nutritionist Lorna Bell from ISCC explains what it means for special schools and the steps they need to take to keep pupils safe. 👇
www.nasschools.org.uk/navigating-t...
April 29, 2025 at 3:17 PM
nasschools.bsky.social
Special schools play a vital role in shaping a more inclusive education system.

As part of the Inclusion in Practice initiative, we’re inviting NASS member schools to highlight how they champion inclusive practice and collaborate with mainstream settings.

Submissions close on 1st May
inclusioninpractice.org.uk Inclusion in Practice @inclusioninpractice.org.uk · Apr 24
One week remaining to share your examples of successful approaches to inclusion in mainstream education.

We're so grateful for all contributions so far. Help us make sure we capture all of the best practice in our schools and classrooms.

Submit at www.inclusioninpractice.org.uk by 1st May. 🙏
Inclusion in Practice
An inclusive education hub, to bring together examples of what successful inclusion looks like in practice.
www.inclusioninpractice.org.uk
April 25, 2025 at 7:32 AM
nasschools.bsky.social
Dovecote, an independent special school in Somerset, was rated @ofstednews.bsky.social ‘Outstanding’ just 7 months after opening in Sept 2022. Its achievements were further recognised as a finalist in our 2024 NASS Awards.

Read more about its distinct approach 👇
www.linkedin.com/pulse/outsta...
April 16, 2025 at 2:01 PM
nasschools.bsky.social
Safeguarding doesn’t stop at 18, but the systems change dramatically. In this guest blog for NASS, safeguarding expert Carolyn Eyre explores the “cliff edge” of transitional safeguarding and the challenges facing schools.

www.linkedin.com/pulse/safegu...
April 9, 2025 at 12:09 PM