CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty
Online training & information sessions
CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty online training & information sessions run throughout the school term.
Join us at 15.30 to 16.00 (GMT) on Thursday afternoons to find out how a wide range of assistive technologies are used to support learning and communication in mainstream and special educational settings.
We are currently planning our Thursday Thirty sessions for the Back To School Term in September 2026 so stay tuned.
Who should attend? Our training sessions are suitable for teachers, SENCOs, school SEND teams, TAs, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, parents and carers supporting children and young people using assistive technology to access the curriculum and/or to communicate.
Training joining details
Thursday Thirty online sessions are held via Microsoft Teams. You will receive a Microsoft Teams meeting invite via email to join the meeting. You will also receive reminders and joining details via EventBrite. Please check your spam or junk mail folder and contact CENMAC at newsandevents@cenmac.com if you do not have the joining details one day before the session.
AAC – A Parent’s Perspective
Date: Thursday 17th September 2026
Time: 15.30 – 16.00 (GMT)
Description: Join Laura to hear her lived experience perspective on introducing an AAC device to her autistic, non speaking son – Ethan. Laura discusses their AAC magical moments & life changing highlights, whilst also reflecting on the challenges along the way. Laura will also briefly discuss the story behind her parliamentary campaign, “Speak Up for Autism”. Join for top tips, video footage of Ethan in action on his AAC device & a boost of AAC advocacy.
Presenter: Laura Brown, AAC, Autism & Inclusion Advocate, Spinning World of Autism
Training joining details
Thursday Thirty online sessions are held via Microsoft Teams. You will receive a Microsoft Teams meeting invite via email to join the meeting. You will also receive reminders and joining details via EventBrite. Please check your spam or junk mail folder and contact CENMAC at newsandevents@cenmac.com if you do not have the joining details one day before the session.
Inspiration 12 for Exam Arrangements
Date: 1 October 2026
Time: 15.30 to 16.00 (GMT)
Description: In this 30 minute online session, discover how students who use Inspiration 12 for their normal way of working, planning and writing, can seamlessly transition this familiar workflow into JCQ-regulated exams.
Through visual thinking techniques, Inspiration 12 transforms ideas into organized plans and structured documents. Learn how the software helps students brainstorm, outline, and write with confidence, ensuring their exam experience mirrors their daily learning habits to bridge the gap between classroom success and exam-day achievement.
Presenter: Donald Macfie III, Customer Relationship Associate, TechEdology
Training joining details
Thursday Thirty online sessions are held via Microsoft Teams. You will receive a Microsoft Teams meeting invite via email to join the meeting. You will also receive reminders and joining details via EventBrite. Please check your spam or junk mail folder and contact CENMAC at newsandevents@cenmac.com if you do not have the joining details one day before the session.
Thinking Ahead Around Exam Access
Date: 15th October 2026
Time: 15.30 to 16.00 (GMT)
CENMAC Advisory Teacher Maureen De Longhi provides useful information about organising access arrangements for the 2027 SATs, Key Stage 2 tests and the GCSE exams.
During exams, organising access arrangements can be difficult. Throw Assistive Technology into the mix and there is the potential for some students to miss out on arrangements that may better support their needs, because their teachers are either unaware of what assistive technologies are available or unsure of whether they would contravene the rules.
Schools may wish to consider the use of technology to a much greater extent than they do currently. Assistive Technology not only allows candidates to work more independently and is a far better preparation for further and higher education and the world of employment but is also a far more cost-effective way of supporting their SEND students through the exam period.
Aims of this session:
- Outline the role of AT to improve the ability of students to communicate, learn and achieve as a usual way of working and explore some of the technology available
- Look at JCQ guidance to schools and colleges with regard to the use of assistive technology for access arrangements and identify the key points
- Consider how to make the necessary applications to enable students to use AT in exams.
Missed a Thursday Thirty Session?
Thursday Thirty sessions are recorded > View recorded sessions
If you have any changes in school and need training to implement the students’ assistive technology please do get in contact with your advisory teacher or mail@cenmac.com.
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