SEND Teacher
Job Description:Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) teachers work with children and young people who need extra support.
Job Category:What you will do:
You’ll work with children who have:
- general learning difficulties
- specific learning difficulties like dyslexia
- physical disabilities
- hearing or visual impairment
- challenging emotions or behaviour
You could work in a mixed class, a special class in a mainstream school, a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school, a pupil referral unit or a further education college. You may teach whole classes, individual pupils or small groups, often supported by a teaching assistant.
Your day-to-day duties could include:
- teaching national curriculum subjects
- helping pupils develop self-confidence, independence and abilities
- preparing lessons and teaching materials
- marking and assessing work
- working with medical staff, therapists and psychologists
- talking to parents and carers about a child’s progress
- attending meetings, statutory reviews and training workshops
- organising outings, social activities and sporting events
Skills:
You’ll need:
- knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
As well as:
- planning and organisational skills
- the ability to manage classes and deal with challenging behaviour
- creativity
- ability to adapt to changing situations (adaptability skills)
- excellent communication skills
- the ability to understand people’s reactions
active listening skills - ability to collaborate with other professionals, including educational psychologists, speech therapists, and parents (teamwork)
- patience, empathy, and the ability to create a nurturing and inclusive learning environment
Restrictions and Requirements
You’ll need to pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults.
Entry Requirements:
You’ll need:
- to have studied English and Maths
- to have studied science to teach in primary schools
- passes in numeracy and literacy skills tests
- some school experience to support your application
- enhanced background checks
If you have a degree, you can train through a postgraduate teacher training course. There are 2 main routes: school-led and university-led. Both provide you with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed for teaching, but are delivered differently.
If you don’t have a degree, you can qualify by taking a course that awards qualified teacher status (QTS).
Depending on the route you take, you could get a salary, a bursary, or a student loan.
Most independent schools prefer qualified teachers, but it’s not essential.
To teach pupils with hearing impairment, vision impairment or multi-sensory impairment, you’ll need further specialist qualifications.
School Subjects
To become a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Teacher in the UK, you should focus on GCSE subjects that provide a well-rounded foundation in education, communication, and understanding diverse needs. Here are the recommended GCSE subjects to pursue:
- English: Strong language and communication skills are essential for effectively engaging with students and adapting teaching methods to support their learning.
- Mathematics: Basic mathematical skills are necessary for teaching and assessing numeracy concepts.
- Science (optional): A science subject can be helpful as it may relate to certain aspects of the curriculum and provide additional teaching opportunities.
- Psychology (optional): Knowledge of psychology can be beneficial in understanding various learning difficulties and behavior management techniques.
- Sociology (optional): Sociology can provide insights into societal issues and inequalities that may affect students with SEND.
- Physical Education (PE) (optional): Familiarity with physical education can be useful for planning inclusive activities and accommodating physical disabilities
Working Hours and Environment:
You’ll usually work 37 hours a week for 39 weeks a year, split over 3 school terms.
You’ll spend extra time planning lessons, marking work and taking part in school activities.
Career Path & Progression:
You could become the SEND co-ordinator (SENDCo) or head of department. At a SEND school, you could become deputy head or headteacher.