Shared Practice Event: Sensory Stories

“Sensory stories enabled me to teach my whole class; more than that, sharing sensory stories with the children with profound and multiple learning disabilities felt meaningful and I could clearly see that they were responding. By using sensory stories I was able to facilitate learning at a level appropriate to all people, including those with profound and multiple learning disabilities.”

- From the Introduction, Sensory Stories: Making Narratives Accessible Through the Senses written by Joanna Grace

Join Scottish Book Trust for an engaging and insightful shared practice event to learn more about Sharing Sensory Stories.

Designed for teachers and support staff working directly with children and young people with additional support needs, this event is also perfect for educators in mainstream settings eager to enhance their teaching toolkit.

- Immerse yourself in 45-minute in-person presentations from seasoned professionals who have successfully integrated sensory storytelling into their practice.

- Explore the 'how' and 'why' behind their methods, as they share practical tips, valuable resources, and real-life experiences.

- Presentation from CALL Scotland: Learn how to incorporate Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in sensory storytelling.

Following the presentations, there will be the opportunity for guided discussions and activities in small groups, allowing you to reflect on your existing practices and discover fresh, effective strategies.

Don't miss this chance to elevate your professional development; reserve your spot now for an event that promises inspiration, practical takeaways, and collaborative learning.

Programme

3.30 - 4pm: Arrivals

4 - 5pm: Presentation and group activities

5 - 5.30pm: Break for refreshments

5.30 - 7pm: Presentations and group activities

Speakers:

Ceanna MacGregor is an AAC Specialist Teacher at CALL Scotland, dedicated to supporting learners with disabilities and additional support needs through specialist communication and assistive technology. With over a decade of experience, including her role as a principal teacher in an ASN primary school, she is passionate about empowering learners and those who support them. Ceanna delivers professional learning, develops resources, and engages in research to enhance AAC strategies. Her multisensory approach to storytelling ensures inclusive, engaging, and accessible learning experiences for all. 

Dan Serridge is a storyteller, community artist, and facilitator who helps people share their experiences through storytelling. As Artform Development Lead at The Village Storytelling Centre, he mentors emerging storytellers and delivers impactful community projects. Blending personal, mythic, and folkloric narratives, Dan explores the power of metaphor and connection. With extensive experience working in schools and communities across the UK, he performs nationally and internationally, collaborating with organizations like Theatre by the Lake and NHS Scotland. His energetic and engaging style makes storytelling an accessible and transformative experience for all. 

Gail Wilson is a Primary Teacher of ten years, working in Greenhills Primary in South Lanarkshire. She has a passion for Literacy and uses this in her role as Literacy Coordinator to support both Mainstream and pupils with ASN. She has led her school's efforts to become a Gold accredited Reading School recently and enjoys the opportunities she has to celebrate and promote reading for pleasure. Her interest in Sensory Stories grew out of a need to support the pupils in her school that find interacting with books and stories challenging due to, for some, multiple, additional support needs. The project, 'Sensory Story Sacks, Supporting all Children to Engage with Stories,' was supported by her participation in the SLC Teacher Reading Group in 2023-2024 and has had a very positive impact on pupils and staff as it enters its second year.  

Access and Support

We are committed to making this event accessible to all learning practitioners. If you encounter any barriers that may prevent you from attending, please let us know—we are happy to explore ways to support your participation.

A limited amount of financial assistance is available to registered event participants who are working learning professionals in a school, nursery, or other formal learning setting. Financial support is not available to individuals attending outside of a professional capacity. All financial assistance is subject to final approval at the event manager’s discretion.

• Travel Subsidy – We can reimburse up to £30 per participant for public transport or 45p per mile for car travel. For attendees traveling from areas with limited transport options (e.g., the North of Scotland), additional support may be available at the event manager’s discretion. Reimbursement requires travel ticket receipts and pre-approval. For more information, please contact signe.rudovica@scottishbooktrust.com.
• Accommodation Support – Participants traveling from areas with limited transport options may be eligible for overnight accommodation support of up to £80 per night. This is available for a limited number of attendees and is subject to pre-approval and the event manager’s discretion. If you require accommodation support, please contact signe.rudovica@scottishbooktrust.com before making any bookings.
• Childcare Grants – A limited number of grants are available to help cover private childcare costs for parents attending the event on the afternoon and evening of 13 May. Proof of childcare costs may be required. If you would like to apply, please reach out to signe.rudovica@scottishbooktrust.com.

Please note that financial assistance is only available to participants residing in Scotland and must be approved in advance.

Venue information:

Fully accessible located on the ground floor

By train YOTEL Edinburgh is a 15-minute walk from Waverley Station.

By car The nearest NCP car park is at Castle Terrace, EH1 2EW. There is limited on-street parking nearby.