twilight talks promo image purple background with white text that reads twilight talks alongside the nasen logo and a cartoon owl on a branch

Twilight Talk: Strengthening provision for Service children with special or additional education needs: Awareness, evidence and action

  • Webcasts
  • 01 May 2026
Twilight Talks

Children can feel immense pride in having a parent in the Armed Forces. Evidence suggests, however, that the specific nature of the Armed Forces lifestyle presents unique challenges that can amplify the needs of Service children with special or additional education needs or disabilities. Taking place during the Month of the Military Child, this session will present an overview of Armed Forces life which can include frequent school moves and long periods of separation from the serving parent.  

Findings will be presented from Supporting All to Thrive, an Oxford Brookes University project to investigate the educational opportunities, experiences and outcomes of children with special or additional needs from Armed Forces families. The research combines analysis of national level attainment data, a survey and arts-based methods to provide a clear picture of children's educational outcomes and a rich understanding of the complexities of their educational trajectories and experiences. 

The session will raise awareness of the needs of Service children with special or additional needs, highlighting how they can be supported to progress and thrive, experiencing learning and development journeys that mitigate the unique challenges of Armed Forces life. A follow-up session in autumn 2026 will provide further information on practical support that schools can provide, linking to bespoke tools and resources. 

You can read more about our Twilight Talks sessions on our dedicated page.

Suitable for: A parent/carer, Administration Staff, Assistant Head Teacher, Consultant, Deputy Head Teacher, Early Years Practitioner, Educational Psychologist, Governor, Head Teacher, Inclusion Manager/Leader, Newly Qualified Teacher, SENCO, Senior Leader, Student, Support staff, Teacher, Tutor, Young person, Other

Full access to this resource is available for:


Free

You must be logged in to to get access

LOG IN
Complete our short evaluation

You may also be interested in

twilight talks promo image light green background with white text that reads twilight talks alongside the nasen logo and a cartoon owl on a branch

Twilight Talk: The role of attachment and trauma in education for those with SEND

  • Webcasts
  • 23 Oct 2026
Free
Twilight Talks

The Twilight Talk will explore the role of attachment in education and how secure relationships can support regulation, engagement and learning.

View resource
twilight talks promo image dark green background with white text that reads twilight talks alongside the nasen logo and a cartoon owl on a branch

Twilight Talk: Why Is Learning So Hard? What Brain Science Tells Us, and How We Can Help Every Child Learn

  • Webcasts
  • 15 Oct 2026
Free
Twilight Talks

Why do some children make steady progress while others, given the same teaching, remain stuck despite effort, support, and time? This talk draws on cognitive neuroscience.

View resource
twilight talks promo image dark green background with white text that reads twilight talks alongside the nasen logo and a cartoon owl on a branch

Twilight Talk: Supporting children and young people with Down syndrome in mainstream schools

  • Webcasts
  • 15 Oct 2026
Free
Twilight Talks

This twilight talk explores how mainstream schools can effectively support children and young people with Down syndrome to achieve positive educational, social, and emotional outcomes.

View resource