What communication channels are available for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinators (SENDCOs) in Bristol.
Head teachers weekly newsletter
The head teacher's weekly newsletter aims to communicate with all leaders in education across Bristol. It includes information about educational issues, SEND and high level strategy, such as updates from the Department of Education.
Vik Verma, the Director of Education, sends the newsletter every Monday to all head teachers. The newsletter is sent to SENDCOs by the Trading with Schools team.
If you're a SENDCO, you can sign up by emailing tradingwithschools@bristol.gov.uk
SENDCO email list
The Trading with Schools team holds the email list of SENDCOs in Bristol. The list is used for regular updates throughout the year. It includes information about the SENDCO briefings and the conference.
If you're a SENDCO, you can sign up by emailing tradingwithschools@bristol.gov.uk
Local Offer website newsletter
The SEND Local Offer website team send a monthly newsletter. It includes information about Bristol's Local Offer website, upcoming events, and Bristol's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support (SENDIASS) service, run by SEND And You (SAY). It will help you to signpost young people, parents and carers to the latest information and advice.
Sign up for the Local Offer newsletter.
SENDCO conference
The SENDCO conference facilitates networking, inspiration and strategic Continuing Professional Development.
The events combine national and local keynote speakers and a range of workshops with practical strategies.
More information is sent out by Trading with Schools via the SENDCO email list. You can sign up by emailing tradingwithschools@bristol.gov.uk
SENDCO briefings
Regular briefings provide SENDCOs with clear information about how SEND is implemented and supported in Bristol. They provide information:
- from different teams supporting SEND, such as the SEN team and the Inclusion in Education Group (IEG)
- about processes such as Top Up funding
The briefings are held 3 times a year, in November, February and June. They're organised by the Educational Psychology team and the SEND manager.
The next SENDCO briefings will be held on Zoom. Dates for September 2025 and onwards will be published here.
More information will be sent out by Trading with Schools via the SENDCO email list. You can sign up by emailing tradingwithschools@bristol.gov.uk
Training offer
The training offer will be made available online by Trading with Schools.
It aims to provide:
- new SENDCOs with support and training
- continual professional development
It's organised across Bristol City Council teams and includes a range of delivery methods:
- webinars
- surgeries
- face to face training courses
It includes information about:
- using the Bristol SEN Support Plan
- identification and early intervention across the 4 areas of the SEND Code of Practice
- Autism Awareness Training from the Bristol Autism Team (BAT)
