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In the latest episode of Chatting with Channing, we sit down with Mrs Gardiner, Head of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Department at Channing School, for an inspiring conversation about how the school ensures every student can thrive.
Mrs Gardiner shares the comprehensive ways her team supports pupils with additional learning needs — from adapting lessons to be more accessible, to working alongside external specialists, and most importantly, empowering students to take ownership of their own learning. At the heart of her work is Channing’s ethos of inclusion, respect, and high aspirations for every student, whether or not they have a diagnosed need. As she explains, it’s about creating a school environment where every child feels valued, understood, and supported to reach their potential.
Throughout the episode, Mrs Gardiner explains how her role spans both Junior and Senior Schools, overseeing provisions that ensure individual needs are met academically, socially, and emotionally. She describes how teachers collaborate with the SEND team to adapt lessons, making them accessible while remaining challenging and engaging. A central theme is the importance of the student voice: through personal learning plans and passports, pupils are encouraged to share what helps them learn best, developing both independence and self-advocacy.
The conversation also highlights how students’ needs are identified and supported from the earliest stages. Screening tests, teacher observations, and regular discussions with families provide insight into potential learning differences. Once needs are identified, collaboration becomes key, with external specialists such as educational psychologists and clinical professionals contributing to tailored interventions.
Mrs Gardiner also sheds light on the practical side of SEND provision, such as access arrangements during exams. Adjustments like extra time or supervised breaks are designed not to give unfair advantages, but to remove disadvantages and level the playing field. Transition processes are another vital part of the department’s work, ensuring pupils moving from Junior to Senior School — or joining from outside — are supported every step of the way.
In addition to describing the school’s ethos of inclusion, Mrs Gardiner also reflects on her personal journey. Having originally worked in finance, she discovered her passion for education and supporting children with SEND through volunteering. That initial spark led her back to university, into specialist teaching, and eventually to her current leadership role at Channing.