'First of all, I think engagement levels have really improved across the trust, and particularly from my experience, that surely was the case. And children feel more empowered in their learning now, the ability to be more independent in their learning because they've got access to tools that help them overcome those barriers and challenges they may have faced. In the past, they relied very heavily on teaching assistants or adults to work with them, and technology has enabled them to be more in control of their learning. 

I think the other thing that's helped is that our approach to teaching and learning now uses the universal Design for learning approach. And this in itself, giving children opportunities and options in the way that they explore their learning, but also in the way that they present their learning, has really helped many of our learners to be able to access the learning in the classroom'

Emma Dallimore
Associate Principal & Director of Safeguarding
LEO Academy Trust