Jennifer Kellie

Learning About Neurodiversity at School (LEANS) is a research-informed educational programme developed by the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh. Launched in response to the growing recognition of neurodiversity within mainstream education, LEANS aims to foster greater understanding, acceptance, and inclusivity for neurodivergent pupils — those who may think, learn or communicate in ways that differ from the majority.​ Personalising literacy to make it accessible...

A significant new piece of research published in Frontiers in Education (June 2025) titled “Digital literacy and academic performance: The mediating role of self-efficacy and metacognitive strategies” offers compelling insights into how digital literacy skills influence student achievement. Though not specific to neurodivergent learners, its findings have strong implications for how specialist literacy educators can better tailor digital tools and strategies to meet diverse learning needs....

New Zealand’s Budget 2025 promises a transformative boost to learning support, with headlines touting $2.5 billion in education spending over four years and major investments in additional learning needs, teacher aides, early intervention, and specialist provision. At first glance, this seems a watershed moment— more teacher aide hours, expanded early intervention, and increased operational grants for schools. However, a closer reading exposes both strengths and substantive gaps, especially...