Sep
2025

Social Story Generator Created with Gemini

categories: Communication and Interaction needs, SEND

I’m excited to share a new tool I’ve created using Gemini to help parents and professionals working with children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). This “Social Story Generator” is designed to help you quickly create personalised social stories tailored to a child’s specific situation.

Social stories can be a powerful way to help a child understand a new situation, prepare for a transition, or navigate social interactions. This tool makes the process of creating them much faster and easier.

Simply describe the situation, and the generator will provide a well-structured social story you can use. You can then edit and adapt it to fit the child’s individual needs.

Get in touch if you’d like to know how to employ AI tools to support inclusion and learning in your setting.

Click here to try the Social Story Generator


Jul
2025

Embedding Assistive Technology in Mainstream Classrooms

categories: Cognition and Learning, SEND

Using Everyday Technology to Remove Learning Barriers

This guide has been adapted from a presentation to Tower Hamlets’ seconded SENCOs. It outlines practical strategies for embedding assistive technology (AT) into classroom practice — not as an add-on, but as part of everyday, inclusive teaching.

AT is no longer optional. It’s a priority area for the Department for Education, aligned with wider reforms in digital inclusion and SEND support. The tools themselves — speech-to-text, immersive readers, guided access, and more — are already built into the devices and platforms we use daily, and are developing fast thanks to advances in AI.

At the same time, schools are under huge financial pressure. The effective use of assistive technology isn’t just good for learners — it’s good for budgets, workload, and whole-school strategy.

Done well, it can:

  • Empower students to work more independently
  • Free up support staff to focus on interaction, not transcription
  • Help teachers focus on relationships, wellbeing, and learning — the reasons most of us came into education in the first place

What does it include:

  • Built-in accessibility tools in Microsoft, Google, and Apple ecosystems
  • Strategies for supporting literacy, focus, and access needs
  • Setup checklists for devices and learning platforms
  • Training tips for students and staff
  • Advice on adapting tools over time
  • Common barriers — and how to overcome them
  • AI-powered supports for differentiation and planning

This isn’t about buying new kit. It’s about using what we already have, better — to reduce barriers, improve outcomes, and create classrooms where all learners can thrive.

📎 Download the full guide here

If you’re based in Tower Hamlets and would like help implementing any of this, refer via the online form, or contact me at ben.annett@towerhamlets.gov.uk. Or if you share an interest in technology, inclusion or education reach out on Linkedin.

© 2025 Ben Annett and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. This resource may be shared and adapted for educational use with appropriate credit.

Please do not republish or distribute commercially without permission.


Feb
2025

Masters in Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) Information Event

categories: Cognition and Learning, SEND

Looking for the next chapter in your teaching career?

Interested in training to become a qualified dyslexia specialist?

Join the UCL for a free online event on Wednesday 12 February at 5pm where you can learn more about our Masters in Specific Learning Difficulties (dyslexia) programme.

You will find out:

  • How you can gain a Master’s degree from the world #1 university for Education as well as professional practice qualifications, AMBDA, APC and ATS/APS
  • How you can develop your knowledge and skills of dyslexia from leading experts and researchers through a combination of in-person and online teaching.
  • Everything you need to know about how to become qualified to teach and assess for dyslexia at Level 5 and Level 7.

In addition to a presentation from lecturers, you will also hear from past students who will tell you about their experiences of the course and the positive impact it has had on their career.

Register here: KA7 MA SpLD (Dyslexia) Course Information Event | UCL Online Store

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