Our approach

Our research-based approach ensures that we provide the most appropriate training packages, support plans and access to helpful resources, including pilot studies. It is our unique knowledge of assistive technology and pedagogical approaches that enables our partners to overcome challenges in delivering improved learning outcomes.  

The guidance provided is underpinned by the Education Endowment Foundation's recommendations for adaptive teaching and the Early Career Framework, which encourages teachers to use AT to create inclusive classrooms and scaffold learning as part of an adaptive approach. It works, and we are excited to share our case studies and approaches with you.  

Empowering Tech in education partnership project

Case study: Inclusive practice for cognition and learning needs 
Integrating literacy strategies for SEND learners in Birmingham (The Hub Project)   
 
This case study explores how Birmingham Local Authority's Developing Learning Provision (DLP) Team for the North West improved literacy and learning outcomes for children with SEN across the fifteen mainstream schools linked to the Hub network.   

Find out how through the North West DLP team's innovative use of news strategies, Reciprocal Reading Strategies, Literacy Junction, and Scanning Pens were identified as effective strategies and used extensively during the intervention programs delivered at the hub.  

After six weeks, every student has their successes celebrated, and when they return to their home school, they exit with a transition passport identifying the strategies they need to achieve learning independence at their home school. 

Alexandria Hough (DLP Lead) describes providing SENCo training for adaptive teaching, use of AT and reading strategies that she has found to be the most impactful during this three-year program.  

Next steps? Enabling schools in the Hub to become flagship schools for SEND and making this initiative self-sustaining.  
 
(Look out for the Scanning Pens Beacon School Case Study in 2025!) 

Liz Darby (Nishkam High School) is mentioned in this video. You can find out more about Nishkam’s independent research into the use of the DLP reading strategies below: