Primary Education Programme
Access the training, information, and ongoing support you need to confidently support a child with Down syndrome in your class, helping them to thrive and fostering an inclusive learning environment for everyone.
Down Syndrome UK’s Primary Education Programme is an accessible, online training course created by Dr Becky Baxter in collaboration with other specialist professionals. Designed for teachers, SENCOs, teaching assistants and school leaders, the programme provides practical knowledge, strategies and information to help staff confidently support children with Down syndrome in the classroom. Participants receive a full year’s access to the course for all staff, including downloadable guidance and ongoing support, making it easy to fit learning around busy schedules while ensuring children are given the best opportunities to thrive.
Why choose us?
The Primary Education Programme is an expert-led, online programme designed to help primary school staff successfully support pupils with Down syndrome. With flexible access for your whole team, the programme includes video training, practical tools – all developed by our Director of Education, Dr Becky Baxter.
Expert-led
Practical and flexible
Cost-effective
CPD Accredited
Ongoing support
Wealth of information
Dr Rebecca Baxter
This programme is designed and led by Dr. Becky Baxter, Director of Education and Speech and Language Therapy at Down Syndrome UK. With over 15 years of experience working with schools and families, Becky has successfully supported hundreds of children with Down syndrome of all ages across a range of education settings. Becky has worked collaboratively with specialist professionals across education and health to develop the programme, ensuring that school staff have access to relevant and up-to-date information from experts within the Down syndrome community.
Our programme is built on a strong foundation of evidence-based insight into the learning needs of children with Down syndrome, while our services focus on providing practical advice and support to improve outcomes in the classroom.
Not sure about signing up? Download our free 'supported listening times' resource
Supporting children during listening times can be one of the biggest classroom challenges. Pupils may struggle to access key information if it’s delivered only verbally, leading to frustration, reliance on adult support, and missed opportunities for independence.
One of many resources in our Primary Education Programme, Supporting listening times, is packed with practical classroom strategies you can use straight away, including:
Visual supports and extra copies of resources to aid understanding
Target vocabulary and signing to strengthen engagement
Tips for fostering independence and inclusion during whole-class inputs
This resource has been designed specifically for teachers and support staff working in primary schools, helping you to unlock learning, reduce barriers, and build confidence for pupils with Down syndrome.
👉 Download your free copy today and discover how our Primary Education Programme can transform listening times into real learning opportunities
What schools think of DSUK's Primary Education Programme...
Support your pupil today!
Join hundreds of schools benefitting from our expert-led programmes- 12 month subscription from date of sign up
- Includes all staff
- Unlimited access for the year
- Ongoing support from our experts
- Could be funded through an EHCP
FAQs
Our school finds it difficult to release staff for training during the school day. How can we access the training?
The training recordings, which cover a range of topics, can be used flexibly via the portal at times which best suit the staff working with the pupil who has Down syndrome. We would recommend that everyone watches the accredited training videos first, entitled ‘Teaching pupils with Down syndrome’, which include information about the learning profile of pupils with Down syndrome and how to best support their needs.
How long does the training take to complete?
The core training consists of three 40–minute recordings. In addition, the programme includes a library of recordings. information and resources covering literacy, numeracy, health, physical development and classroom strategies. These can all be used flexibly throughout the year of your subscription.
Do the drop-in sessions run during the school day or in after school hours? Are they at specific times?
The live drop-in sessions take place once a month after school. Our monthly newsletters for professionals signed up to the PEP share details of the up-coming sessions. Dates and subject matter are also listed in the PEP portal.
If a school has more than one child with Down syndrome attending, is the subscription still the same price?
Yes — the annual subscription covers the entire school, regardless of how many pupils with Down syndrome attend.
Does the Primary Education Programme include information on speech, language and communication?
Yes, the PEP does include a section focused on speech and language therapy It’s a valuable resource especially if your school’s current SALT provision is limited. Maintaining consistency in the use of signing, visuals and spoken language between home, nursery and school as well as between classes is important.
Can parents use the same resources from the PEP at home?
Yes! School can share whichever PEP resources they wish with parents. Some of the resources, such as toilet training, are already available to parents via DSUK website. All PEP resources are downloadable from your portal so staff can easily share specific resources they are using with parents. It is important that school and parents communicate about what they are using to ensure consistency for the child.
We’re in Wales — is the Primary Education Programme relevant?
Yes! While the curriculum and SEN support systems may differ, families in Wales have found the PEP resources highly relevant and helpful.
One school has told us their staff have been using them this year with great success:
“Being part of the Primary Education Programme over the last year has given us access to a wide variety of resources that we have used to support our young learner. It has also given us access to a number of professional learning opportunities which have supported an increasing number of staff to develop a deeper understanding of how we can support young learners who have Down Syndrome. It is reassuring to know that we have a point of contact that we can go to for advice and support if we need it.”
The pupil in our school has some behaviour challenges. Does DSUK offer support and advice for this?
Whilst children with Down syndrome do have strengths in early social skills, there can also be challenges. Dr Becky Baxter leads an Individualised Behaviour Support Service which primary schools can access to receive training videos, resources and online support from Dr Becky Baxter. Schools already signed up to the PEP can also access this at a discounted rate.
Can school pay by invoice rather than via the website booking page?
Yes, you can. To request an invoice, simply email education@downsyndromeuk.co.uk. We will invoice your school and you can add colleagues to the portal as soon as the invoice is paid.
Should our school sign up to the PEP before a pupil joins our school?
Schools can sign up at any point in the year and will receive 12 months membership. Staff can access the online resources at any time to familiarise themselves with the programme and understand about the learning profile of pupils with Down syndrome before the child joins their class. The programme also includes resources and guidance about successful transitions which will be invaluable as staff welcome a new pupil to their class.
