Special Educational Needs Teacher
What is the work like?
Special educational needs (SEN) teachers work with children and young people who have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn or access education than most children of the same age. This could include teaching children with:
- mild to moderate learning difficulties
- specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia
- physical disabilities
- hearing or visual impairment
- emotional or behavioural problems.
As an SEN teacher your work would involve:
- helping pupils to develop their self-confidence, independence, abilities and attitudes
- teaching National Curriculum subjects, which may have been adapted to pupils’ needs
- preparing lessons and teaching materials
- marking and assessing work
- putting up displays in the classroom
- liaising with other professionals (such as medical professionals, speech and language therapists and educational psychologists)
- speaking to parents and carers about their children's progress
- attending meetings and in-service training
- organising outings, social activities and sporting events.
You could work in an ordinary class, a special class in a mainstream school, or a special school. You could teach pupils individually or in small groups, and would often be assisted by teaching assistants.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To work as an SEN teacher in a state school you would need:
- a teaching qualification
- mainstream teaching experience
- additional training to teach pupils with special educational needs.
Most independent schools will also prefer you to be qualified, although it is not always essential.
For details of entry requirements and routes to becoming a qualified teacher see the Nursery Teacher, Primary School Teacher and Secondary School teacher profiles and the Training and Development Agency for Schools website.
Northern Ireland
For details of routes into teaching in Northern Ireland see the Department of Education Northern Ireland website.
What further training and development can I do?
Your initial teacher training (ITT) course will include a special needs element. Once you are a qualified and experienced teacher you can take further training for special educational needs.
As an SEN teacher in a mainstream school you will usually do periods of in-service training arranged by your local education authority.
You can do relevant postgraduate certificates, diplomas or Masters degrees at some universities. Course content and titles vary according to the type of special education or disability being covered. These courses are usually offered part-time or by distance learning.
You will need specific qualifications for teaching pupils with hearing impairment, visual impairment or multi-sensory impairment. Some universities offer relevant postgraduate diplomas or masters degrees. These can be studied one year full-time, two or three years part-time or as modular or distance learning courses.
You must have basic sign language skills if you want to teach hearing impaired pupils. To become a Qualified Teacher of Visual Impairment you must be able to show that you are proficient in Braille.
Where can I go for more information?
Rathael HouseBalloo Road
Bangor
BT19 7PR
Tel: 028 9127 9279
London
WC1H 9NE
Tel: 020 7388 1266
Block 4
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3UZ
Tel: 0191 383 1155
Textphone: 0191 383 7915
London
SW1W 9SZ
Teaching Information Line: 0845 6000 991
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
Related profiles...
Nursery/Primary School Teacher (Scotland)
Special Needs Teaching Assistant
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
The main salary scale ranges from £20,627 to £30,148 a year (£25,000 to £34,768 in inner London).
Teachers who reach the top of the main scale may apply to be assessed to progress to the upper pay scale. This ranges from £32,660 to £35,121 (£39,114 to £42,419 in inner London).
Teachers of special needs students may receive extra allowances.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
In state schools in England and Wales you would work 39 weeks a year in school. School hours vary, but are usually 9am to 3.30pm or 4pm. You would also work outside school hours, for example to prepare lessons, and go to meetings.
In Scotland you would work a standard 35-hour week for 195 days a year.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- an interest in the education and welfare of pupils
- good communication and 'people' skills
- the ability to work in a team but also use your own initiative
- organisational skills
- the ability to manage classes and deal with challenging behaviour
- willingness to assist with personal care needs if necessary
- patience and a good sense of humour.
What opportunities are there?
You will find most opportunities for SEN teaching in mainstream schools, as there is an increasing tendancy to teach pupils with special educational needs in these schools wherever possible.
However, you could also be employed in a special school. Some special schools are for pupils with a specific disability, others are organised according to the severity of learning difficulty. Local authorities run most special schools, others are run by organisations such as Barnardo’s and the Royal National Institute for the Blind.
In mainstream schools you may have the opportunity to progress to special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO), or head of the special needs department. In special schools you could be promoted to deputy headteacher or headteacher.
There are also opportunities to work in pupil referral units (PRUs), hospital schools or youth custody centres.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Education Guardian
Times Educational Supplement
Teachernet
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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