SENCO Forums

SENCO’s in the DSPL3 area have the opportunity to attend termly SENCO forums. These are often held in two different locations on different days, due to our large geographical area and to help ensure higher attendance.

These are an excellent way to keep up-to-date with local and national SEND information, network with other local schools and share best practice.

SENCO Conference

Our team are working hard to put on a most enjoyable event for you.  This will be held once again at Fanhams Hall, Ware on Monday 2nd February 2026 (approx. timings 9am-3pm).  We have managed to keep the ticket price at £50 - further details to follow.  Please put the date in your diary to join us and click on the link below to book your space: Annual DSPL3 Conference – Fill in form  

SEND Benchmark & Planning Toolkit

This tool provides Hertfordshire schools with a framework for discussion about their policy and provision for children and young people with SEND, set within the statutory guidance of the SEND regulations (2014) and the SEND code of practice: 0-25 years (2015).

Using a collaborative, solution focused approach; schools can identify strengths in current practice and plan next steps through:

• Working with children and young people with SEND, their families and colleagues within and beyond the school to identify current practice using a “best-fit” model
• Exploring practice within the five outcomes from the Hertfordshire SEND Quality Offer In order to use the tool, simply tick on the statement that best represents current practice.

The following dates have been reserved to complete the benchmarking toolkit:

VSEND

VSEND training workshops are as follows:

4th March 2026 (9.30 - 11pm):

This training is for:

• Anyone new to VSEND
• Those wanting to find out more about VSEND and its applications (including those who will not be the actual online users)
• SENCOs who want a refresher (e.g. having been trained over a year ago and not used VSEND)

(Please see our VSEND page for further information)

Transition Day

Following the success of our first Transition Day last year, we will be holding this as an annual event.  This years event will take place on Tuesday 5th May 2026 at Herts & Essex Sports Centre in Bishop's Stortford (9 - 3.30pm).  It is an expectation that SENCO's from every DSPL3 School will attend.  A variety of professionals from various Teams will also be in attendance.

(Please see our Transitions page for further information)

Herts for Learning (HFL) Briefings

HFL briefings are offered termly online, alternating with the SENCO forums above. They enable SENCO’s to receive detailed developments not only within Hertfordshire but also nationally.

To book your fully funded place, click on this link and select DSPL3: DSPL Briefings Booking Form

* A copy of the Autumn '25 SEND briefing is available as a PDF below: