{"id":22781,"date":"2023-01-18T12:44:51","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T12:44:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ounews.co\/?p=22781"},"modified":"2023-01-18T12:44:51","modified_gmt":"2023-01-18T12:44:51","slug":"a-special-school-airs-on-bbc-cymru-wales-and-iplayer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/education-languages-health\/a-special-school-airs-on-bbc-cymru-wales-and-iplayer\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018A special school\u2019 airs on BBC Two, BBC Cymru Wales and iPlayer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two academics from The Open University used their specialist skills to advise the BBC programme makers on a second series of A Special School, <\/em>which airs on BBC Two on 20th February at 7pm.<\/p>\n

The three-part series goes behind the scenes in a compelling observational documentary that shows what is possible when boundaries are pushed.<\/p>\n

View the entire series on iPlayer<\/a> and watch as the staff and pupils push boundaries and challenge misconceptions in this infectiously positive series that will leave you smiling, laughing and crying.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr Wendy Turner<\/a>, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care and Leigh Worrall<\/a>, PGCE Curriculum Tutor for The Open University in Wales, both brought their differing academic expertise to inform the programme makers.<\/p>\n

Leigh, a teacher of 17 years, said:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe advised on the possible storylines to follow, building on what was highlighted in the first series. I was particularly interested in showing the educational journey, both within and outside the classroom, at this school.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve worked mainly in mainstream but was very interested in highlighting the successful approaches used in this setting, which would be of interest to the audience and are applicable across different educational settings.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Leigh said this applied to fostering positive wellbeing, supporting pupils returning to school after covid and managing conflict and behaviour.<\/p>\n

\u201cWithin Wales there has been significant education reform over the last few years with the introduction of a new Curriculum for Wales alongside an Additional Learning Needs transformational programme and it was useful to bring my knowledge about this to the film makers,\u201d <\/em>she said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The programme also covered what it\u2019s like to train as a teacher in a special school setting and highlighted the varied roles and opportunities that exist to contribute to children\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n

Wendy has worked as a healthcare professional with children with Additional Learning Needs and Disabilities for more than 20 years in their homes, schools and communities.<\/p>\n

She said:<\/p>\n

\u201cMany of these children, as seen in the broadcast, have complex and multiple health needs that might be hidden such as emotional or mental health, physical or chronic health issues.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBy supporting these health needs enables children to get the most out of school life. My higher education teaching crosses the boundaries of health, education and social care in developing multi-skilled professionals ready to support, advocate and care for these children and their families.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Wendy was able to provide advice to the programme makers through a multi-needs lens, highlighting the varied roles, need for extensive skills and knowledge of the whole<\/em> child and their family.<\/p>\n

This series was commissioned by Broadcast & Partnerships<\/a> and is supported by the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies,<\/em> with particular relevance to Q94 BA (Honours) Education Studies (Primary)<\/a>, Q42 BA (Honours) Social Work (Wales)<\/a> and K36 PGCE in Wales<\/a>:<\/p>\n