Developing inclusive pedagogy and culture through training, support and reflective practice.
The Low Arousal Supports Educational Resilience (LASER) Programme, launched January 2020, focuses on implementing Low Arousal approaches in education settings and developing inclusive practice. Applicable to a wide variety of environments such as SEND schools, mainstream schools, and home learning, the LASER programme has developed over the last year to incorporate online learning during the pandemic. Available for individual practitioners, teachers, and family members as well as school staff teams, the LASER programme covers a range of topics, including emotional regulation, stress, Low Arousal, inclusive pedagogy, and applying whole-school approaches. The LASER Programme has been a major element of the Studio 3 online educational offer during the last 18 months. Our Educational Advisor, Gareth D Morewood has delivered a variety of bespoke tailored and open access courses, available to book on our website.
The design of the LASER programme is very much about allowing individual settings/schools to develop personalised approaches to the key themes. There is a strong focus on the importance of stress reduction and well-being for all members of the school/setting community – including staff, parents and pupils. The individual elements of the programme are designed to be customisable based on the specific needs of the school or organisation. For example, a focus on restraint reduction (with an aim for elimination) may be a key area of concern for one school, but less necessary for another. As such, the contents and focus of the course can be adapted based on the requirements of the organisation or school in question.
The LASER programme consists of eight sections that are delivered over four sessions:
Section 1: Stress and Well-being (of staff and for young people including the PERMA model)
Section 2: Whole-School Approaches (including The Saturation Model and co-production)
Section 3: Inclusion (including inclusive pedagogy, classroom structures and routines)
Section 4: Low Arousal Approaches (focus on key elements of Low Arousal)
Section 5: Reducing Restrictive Practices (including practical alternatives)
Section 6: De-Escalation (developing and embedding structures, practice and policy)
Section 7: Being a Reflective Practitioner (how to develop this as part of a systems approach)
Section 8: Developing metacognition and self-regulation (including Stress Support Plans/Passports)
It is possible to create bespoke packages of training from these elements, depending on the specific areas of focus for a setting or school. Two sections equate to one 2-hour session; four equate to two 2-hour sessions (or one INSET day, for example).
To date, there has been a huge variety of settings and individuals who have undertaken the initial training from over 16 different countries, where ongoing support, coaching and supervision continues to help embed change.
The next open access LASER Programme is available to book on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 July - contact admin@studio3.org to book your place! Sign up to our special education newsletter for details of other options in the new academic year and beyond.
Quotes from previous delegates:
‘Fantastic and very thought-provoking programme. We have several action points to work on within our short term and longer-term planning, thanks so much.’ - SENCo, Secondary School
‘It was just so amazing to have a course that welcomed parents as well as professionals. The emphasis on working together was so important and I hope this makes more schools understand the power of proper collaboration.’ - Parent
‘Really useful sessions in helping us develop the strategic vision across our schools.’ - CEO of a group of settings
‘The ability for some of our parents/carers to also undertake the Introduction to Low Arousal as part of our package of support has been amazing, thanks so much.’ - Headteacher, Primary School
For further information or to discuss tailoring your bespoke package, contact garethm@studio3.org.