Helpful information
We know how challenging this process can be. To make things a little easier, here’s some helpful information to help guide you.
Term dates
Autumn 2024
| Associate INSET training day | Mon 2nd Sep 24 |
| Autumn term 1 | 3rd Sep 24 – 25th Oct 24 |
| Half Term break | 28th Oct – 1st Nov 24 |
| Autumn term 2 | 4th Nov – 20th Dec 24 |
| Christmas break | 23rd Dec 24 – 3rd Jan 25 |
Spring 2025
| Spring term 1 | 6th Jan 25 – 14th Feb 25 |
| Associate INSET training day | Wed 29th Jan 25 |
| February half term | 17th Feb – 21st Feb 25 |
| Spring term 2 | 24th Feb – 4th Apr 25 |
| Easter holidays | 7th Apr – 21st Apr 25 |
Summer 2025
| Summer term 1 | 22nd Apr – 23rd May 25 |
| Bank Holiday Monday | 5th May 25 |
| Half term | 26th May – 30th May 25 |
| Summer term 2 | 2nd Jun – 22nd Jul 25 |
| Associate INSET training day | Thurs 19th Jun 25 |
Glossary of terms
There’s a lot of acronyms in this field and we want to help provide you with clarity and simplicity as part of the process. Here’s some commonly used terms and acronyms with their meanings:
ADHD
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and covers a range of behaviour aspects including poor concentration, hyperactivity and learning difficulties
Associate
Associate refers to any staff member contracted by SENse Learning including volunteers
CL
CL stands for Case Lead. A Case Lead manages the overall package of education for our students
CPI
CPI stands for Crisis Prevention Institute. This is the training programme that teaches management and intervention techniques to help a person cope with escalating behaviour in a professional and safe manner
DSL
DSL stands for Designated Safeguarding Lead. This person has the authority and status within SENse Learning to carry out the duties of the post including committing resources and, where appropriate, supporting and directing other Associates
EHCP
EHCP stands for Education, Health and Care Plan. It outlines any special educational needs a child has, and the provision a local authority must put in place
LA
LA stands for Local Authority, the Local Authority is responsible for all the public services including education in a particular area
LADO
LADO stands for Local Authority Designated Officer, who works with Children’s Services and provides advice to SENse Learning
EM
EM stands for Education Mentor, they support the learning of the students at SENse Learning
NCFE
NCFE is a Functional Skills awarding body and provider of educational services in the UK
PDA
PDA stands for Pathological Demand Avoidance; it was first documented in the 1980s and is characterised by an extreme avoidance of everyday demands and an anxiety-driven need to be in control
The WILL Framework™
This is SENse Learning’s curriculum framework and stands for Wellbeing, Interaction, Learning and Life skills
Helpful resources
Reaching Families
Reaching Families is a parent-carer led, grassroots charity which aims to support parents and families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in their daily lives, in particular through the delivery of information, training and peer support.
PACA MK
PACA MK is an independent and voluntary group of parents and carers of children and young people with disabilities or additional needs. The group is open to parents and carers of children and young people aged 0—25 years old with disabilities or additional needs who live in the city of Milton Keynes.
BaNES PCF
The B&NES Parent Carer Forum is a CIC run by parent carers of children and young people from birth to 25 years living in BANES. Through feedback and consultations with parent carers, we work in partnership with service commissioners and providers to help advocate for and raise the voice of parents and carers.
Mental Health Natters
Mental Health Natters (MHN) supports children, young people and their parent carers with mental health and educational outcomes. We support families struggling with mental health and school attendance. We offer 1:1 therapeutic mentoring, 1:1 tuition, group sessions and drop in sessions. The basis of our support is kindness, empathy and acceptance of everyone.
West Sussex Mind
West Sussex Minds change minds across England and Wales by making mental health an everyday priority. By standing up to the injustices – in healthcare, in work, in law – which make life harder for those of us with mental health problems.
The Mix
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. We are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
YoungMinds
YoungMinds is leading the movement to make sure every young person gets the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.
