Welcome to SEN Beach

Discover the world of Special Educational Needs

Leaders

Research, Resources, Support
Professional Development

Teachers

Research, Resources, Support
Professional Development

Families

Help, Advice,

About

I unexpectedly washed up on one part of the vast, unknown and unexplored SEN Beach almost 25 years ago. I arrived as a parent of a child with complex Special Needs gasping for breath and trying to make sense of this strange new place. It was a world that I would come to inhabit and explore for much of my adult life, as a SENCo in primary and secondary settings, as an SEN parent and, more recently, as a Specialist Foster Carer. Beaches can be inhospitable, even dangerous, and the world of SEN can be a complex, frustrating and exhausting place that pushes you to the edge. Beaches can also be places of unspeakable beauty, reflection and respite. There are new things to discover, beauty in unexpected places and treasure that you simply cannot buy.

What you will find here is rooted in first-hand experience; it reflects my journey and my story. I hope it will be a place of encouragement for you on your journey – whatever that looks like and whatever your role.

Seaside SENCo

Stephen Tippett is an Inclusion Lead (SENCo) in a coastal primary school. He is married to a Cake Artist and has four, mostly grown up, children. His daughter has DYRK1A Syndrome and is non-verbal. One of his son’s is dyslexic. His foster daughter is tube fed and also non-verbal. His aim is to live a quiet ordinary life, but all evidence, so far, points to this being a somewhat lofty ambition! He loves gardening, cycling and cooking curries; although never at the same time. His home is guarded by chickens. His secret skill is juggling – actual and metaphorical. Sometimes, he will drop a ball and that’s alright! He blogs and masquerades online as Seaside SENCo.