The Sunbeam Journal
Guides for families navigating special educational needs
Practical advice on ADHD, dyslexia, autism, EHCPs and exams — written by SEN tutors and coaches.
Latest articles
36 articles-
ADHD · ADHD Coaching
6 GCSE revision tips for students with ADHD (that actually work)
Understanding dyslexia is a journey of discovery, support, and learning. Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone with dyslexia seeking deeper insight, these seven books offer practical strategies, research-backed knowledge, and real-life experiences to help navigate challenges and embrace strengths.
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SEN
The Parent’s Guide to EOTAS Funding & EHCPs (2025)
For some children, school can feel impossible. Whether due to severe anxiety, sensory processing needs, or medical conditions, a classroom setting cannot always meet a child's needs. In these specific cases, parents may need to secure EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than At School).
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SEN
The Ultimate Guide to GCSE Maths for Neurodivergent Students (2025/26 Syllabus)
Many parents assume their child struggles with maths because they "aren't a maths person." For neurodiverse students, this is rarely true. The barrier is often not the mathematics itself, but the working memory required to hold numbers in their head, or the processing speed needed to finish the paper.
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Dyslexia · SEN
The Guide to GCSE English for Dyslexic Students (2025/26 Syllabus)
For a student with dyslexia, GCSE English exams present multiple difficulties: rapid reading, heavy demands on working memory, and the stamina to handwrite pages of text under time pressure. This is a difficult combination for the neurodivergent brain.
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SEN
SEN Tutor vs Mainstream Tutor: 9 Differences Parents Should Know
Choosing between an SEN tutor and a mainstream tutor is about who is the best fit for you. If stress is rising, progress has stopped or is reversing, or exams are approaching, the right support educator can reduce the pressure.
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SEN
What Does an SEN Tutor Do?
SEN tutoring has become more visible and widely available in the UK. This guide explains what a Special Educational Needs tutor does, who can benefit from tutoring, how tutoring fits with school and therapy, and what to expect in the first session.
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Dyslexia · SEN
Dyslexia Tutoring vs English Tutoring: What’s the Difference?
Starting a new school year can be nerve-racking for any pupil. For those with ADHD, new school routines, sensory demands (such as scratchy school uniforms or loud cafeterias), and the uncertainty of what the new school year will hold can result in heightened anxiety and feelings of overwhelm. This guide explains why that happens, shares UK guidelines on reasonable school adjustments, and gives you a one‑week transition plan to try with your child at home in the lead-up to their first day of term.
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ADHD · ADHD Coaching
How Parents Can Ease Back-to-School Anxiety in Pupils with ADHD: A One-Week Plan
Starting a new school year can be nerve-racking for any pupil. For those with ADHD, new school routines, sensory demands (such as scratchy school uniforms or loud cafeterias), and the uncertainty of what the new school year will hold can result in heightened anxiety and feelings of overwhelm. This guide explains why that happens, shares UK guidelines on reasonable school adjustments, and gives you a one‑week transition plan to try with your child at home in the lead-up to their first day of term.
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SEN
A Parent’s Guide to UK Exam Access Arrangements – GCSEs & A-Levels
This guide explains the rules for exam support, known as Access Arrangements, for students with conditions like ADHD, autism, and dyslexia among other Special Educational Needs. These adjustments are a requirement under the Equality Act 2010, where exam boards have to make 'reasonable adjustments' to ensure fairness.
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