Good practice guidelines for primary schools
A guide for primary practitioners on what Down syndrome is, the learning profile, health and wellbeing, and how to help a child with Down syndrome make progress, including using Makaton or Signalong.
Advice for professionals working in primary schools
Practical advice from advisory visits for primary staff, covering seating, the role of the supporting adult, pre-teaching and visual prompts to help children with Down syndrome learn alongside peers.
Developing independence: information sheet for primary teachers
Ideas for primary staff on stepping back and setting tasks at the right level so pupils with Down syndrome have regular chances to work independently from reception onwards.
Working in the classroom: information sheet for primary teachers
General guidance for teachers and teaching assistants on working together in lessons, so the teacher stays responsible for the pupil’s learning and support helps rather than separates.
Supporting listening times: information sheet for primary teachers
Explains why long spoken input can be hard for pupils with Down syndrome and gives primary staff practical ways to make carpet and listening times more visual and accessible.
Vision and eye care: information sheet for primary staff
Helps primary staff make sure pupils with Down syndrome can see learning materials clearly, building on vision as a common strength and explaining simple ways to adapt visual resources.
Occupational therapy, PE and break times: information sheet for primary staff
Guidance for primary staff on how gross motor skills affect PE and break times, with ideas for adapting the environment and activities so pupils with Down syndrome can join in.
Handwriting and tool use: Live & Love It information session sheet
An occupational therapy handout made with Live & Love It, helping primary staff think about the pupil, the environment and the task to support handwriting and using tools such as scissors.
SEP: Romeo and Juliet, simplified scenes and questions
Scene-by-scene summaries of Romeo and Juliet, simplified to functional skills levels, with multiple choice questions. Helps secondary students with Down syndrome follow the play and check their understanding.
SEP: Macbeth, simplified scenes and questions
Scene-by-scene summaries of Macbeth, simplified to functional skills levels, with multiple choice questions. Helps secondary students with Down syndrome follow the play and check their understanding.