Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
How to become a special educational needs teacher
Help children with special needs reach their full potential in the classroom.
What is a special educational needs (SEN) teacher?
SEN teachers work in the classroom with children who need extra support with their learning. This can include children with a range of emotional, physical or learning challenges.
How do I become a SEN teacher?
Our specialist undergraduate degree, BA (Hons) Psychology in Education provides the theory and knowledge to underpin your understanding of SEN / SEND education in further qualifications you may take towards achieving QTS.
We'd also recommend the course as an additional qualification to expand and develop your expertise with the most up-to-date theory and practice if you are already a SEN / SEND practitioner or hold QTS status as a comprehensive programme to advance your career prospects or move into SEN / SEND education.
To qualify as a SEN teacher, you'll need a degree and qualified teacher status (QTS).
To achieve QTS you can take:
- An undergraduate Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree
- Or another BA / BSc (Hons) which includes QTS
- A degree apprenticeship
If you already have a degree you can gain QTS in other ways:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) – available at many universities, colleges of higher education and teacher training led by schools
- Salaried teacher training – schemes which offer on-the-job training while you earn a salary
What would I do as a SEN teacher?
As a SEN teacher you'll make learning accessible and fun for children with a range of special needs.
You'll work with children with a range of physical, emotional, behavioural and communications difficulties. Their challenges could include autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia and ADHD, as well as impaired hearing or sight. As a SEN teacher, you could also work with gifted children, so you'll need to develop learning programmes to suit many different needs.
Typically, your responsibilities will include:
- Developing learning programmes, and planning and preparing lessons
- Adapting teaching materials and using special facilities and / or equipment
- Face-to-face teaching with students individually or in a class setting
- Assessing students' work and monitoring their progress
- Meetings and reviews with parents and other specialists, such as speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and educational psychologists
Becoming a SEN teacher could be for you if...
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You have staying power
Working with special needs children can be challenging. You’ll need to show empathy, understanding and patience.
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You're flexible
Children's needs vary widely, so you'll need to adapt your approach to them.
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You're committed to inclusion
You'll need to be committed to inclusion and inclusive practice in your role - day in, day out.
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You're the one with the plan
You’ll be planning, preparing, reporting and liaising with other professionals, as well as teaching, so you'll need to be super-organised.
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You see the potential
You're dedicated to helping children with the most challenging behaviours to achieve their best.
What are the typical working hours for a SEN teacher?
You'll typically work school hours, usually 08:30 - 16:30, although you may need to work extra hours for special activities and parents' evenings.
New SEN teachers receive a starting salary of £28,000 rising in stages to £38,810. Starting salaries depend on qualifications, experience and level of responsibility. Teachers working in or near London receive a little more.
With experience, SEN teachers can apply to move up to the next pay scale which ranges from £40,625 to £43,685.
Salaries for lead practitioners can rise to £67,685.
