The ROMBi Partnership Programme

The ROMBi Partner Programme is a research project with UK primary schools facilitated by Education Specialist & Director of Access 1st, Penny Georgiou.

The programme involves Penny facilitating SENcos and teachers in working with ROMBi to research the benefits that structured hand-play can bring to primary school children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

ROMBi Overview

ROMBi is a-puzzle-and-learning-aid-in-a-box; a desktop activity for people of any age from 7+. ROMBi play is as valuable for CPD as it is for SATS.

The construction of ROMBi prioritises perceptual organisation and spatial awareness as a basic framework in the learning process. This is as vital for effective learning and problem solving as it is for physical dexterity. Perceptual (spatial) organisation determines how the mind coordinates information drawn from cognitive functions, memory, attention, organisation of ideas, fine motor skills (hand-eye operations) and gross motor skills (walking or playing ball).

There are many products available for pupils that can contribute to the development of perceptual organisation in play, e.g. body games, play shapes, ball games, Lego, jigsaw puzzles etc.

ROMBi goes a step further in distilling the essentials in to a design conceived to work systematically to address perceptual gaps across the board; being effective retrospectively and in advanced preparation, regardless of age or level of education.

Consistent work with the puzzle patterns repays dividends in steady progressive enhancement of capabilities at all levels; even with notable perceptual issues, eg. gross and fine motor coordination, speech and language development, toileting, and emotional management.

With ROMBi, raising achievement levels and wellbeing does not have to mean a pain-for-gain trade-off, as tasks are accomplished with greater clarity and ease.

Penny commissioned the development of ROMBi, with precise specifications in mind to reduce perceptual issues affecting learning, wellbeing and capability enhancement. For example, with a better understanding how people learn in practice and what can obstruct this process, we can work to reduce the effects of elements such as anxiety, problems with perceptual organisation, sensory overload, discernment in phonics etc.

A ROMBi Partnership Programme pack has been developed by Penny to be a user-friendly companion for teachers to access the best of what ROMBi has to offer, both for their pupils and their own CPD discovering new possibilities for coaching autonomous learning. The pack comes with guidance for the programme, including starting points for ROMBi usage and monitoring. There will also be opportunities for Q&A as the programme continues.

Benefits of ROMBi include:

• User-friendly for teachers and pupils, as teaching aid increasing learner independence;
• Capability enhancing, perceptual and motor integration begins from first use;
• Assists development of core skills, dexterity, attention, information processing, memory, organisation, with discernible effects on literacy and other STEM subjects.
• Supports users with diagnostic conditions including, dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism spectrum conditions, ADHD, physical and mental health issues, anxiety;
• All ROMBi Research Partner Programme participants will be allocated time with Penny Georgiou for discussion and Q&A.

How ROMBi is used:

The ROMBi set is to be held by the teacher, who can decide how it may be deployed in the classroom.
This set can be used:

1. In group work
2. In one-to-one work between teachers/LSAs and pupils
3. By individual pupils to assist with classroom challenges, e.g. to practice for improving literacy, or perhaps presenting behavioural issues – to play with the puzzle when they are feeling anxious or stressed

The vision for ROMBi is for pupils to come to be able to work with it solo, preferably daily or prior to commencing challenging tasks. If they are unable to work with it alone initially, an LSA can support them to get them started. In this way, pupils increasingly work towards their own independence, and become better able to participate in class-based and other activities.

Participating in the ROMBi Partnership Programme:

A collection of primary schools, UK wide are participating in the programme; supporting research on the benefits of using the puzzle with pupils.

This is an exciting new collaboration that will be driven by a designated ROMBi champion within each school.

Why take part in the programme?

• Cultivate and demonstrate your commitment to Special Educational Needs;
• Use the Partnership Programme as part of your CPD;
• Support your Ofsted inspection, in particular the ‘quality of education’ section of the framework under which it is noted:
• “leaders take on or construct a curriculum that is ambitious and designed to give all learners, particularly the most disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or high needs, the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life” (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/801429/Education_inspection_framework.pdf

As part of the programme schools will receive:

• A FREE ROMBi worth £69.95
• A Champion’s Toolkit
• Introduction Pack
• Meeting and support from ROMBi founder, Penny Georgiou

To enquire about taking part in the programme get in touch with Danielle today at danielle@rombipuzzle.com.