Autumn Meeting 07.11.08

Apologies for the lack of minutes from the previous meeting.
Session 1
Jamie Munro (Don Johnston Special Needs) demonstrated Co-Writer and the new portable devices available for use. This included the light weight 'Asus' machine and the Neo 2 with the added bonus of the built in voting system. Jamie mentioned that Co-writer on the Neo would be supported by speech early in 2009. He also mentioned
* Google writer which allows pupils to work across PCs
* 'Project Gutenburg' for on line texts and LibraVox which supplies free audio books
Andrea alerted us to
* 'Thunder' a Free screen reader available from the Internet

Session 2
Julie Burton from Wakefield SENSS showed how she had oraganised Durham's 'It's in a bag' to make it easy to use in school. Julie has separated the tasks in to nine activities in each of two boxes. The boxes are left in school for half a term. Feedback has been good so far.
* An electronic copy was provided for every body in the meeting
* Andrea suggested members look at www.dotolearn.com (do2learn)

Lunchtime
Eileen provided a copy of 'Achievement for All' Wakefield's SEN strategy.

Session 3
Tracy Locking gave an account of 'Fit to learn' and its development from the 'Jump Ahead' scheme. We had an opportunity to look at the new folder. The discussion prompted a suggestion that we organise a joint training session across the LAs involved in the NE branch of NNATPIP. The rationale for the scheme and the DCD pathway devised by Tracy and Heather Angelly the Physiotherapist would be of interest to others.

Session 4
Shelley Williams gave an account of the progress of the Paediatric Therapy files in use in Wakefield primary schools and Lyn circulated the version for early years developed by the Wakefield Pre 5 Service.

Session 5
Sue Coulter shared the York guidance on planning for trips which include PD pupils.
We agreed to circulate
* The guidance for planning trips
* Guidance for using hydrotherapy pools devised in Durham. Wendy to forward to Lyn
These will be circulated by email.

Agenda for the next meeting on 06.03.09
Standardising symbol sets - York team
DCD meeting in Newport - report from Sue Eyres
It's in a little bag - Wakefield Pre 5 Service
School trip planning
Fire evacuation planning
Regional training event

Lyn Clarke 07.11.08