New pilot teacher training programme for special schools
The National Institute of Teaching has launched a new ITT programme specifically to support trainees who want to teach in special schools.
The NIoT is working with Eden Academy Trust on a small pilot programme to ensure that trainees can develop and thrive in both special schools and mainstream settings, and to give them the skills and knowledge on how to work with pupils with SEND successfully.
It comes after a recent Ofsted report on professional development suggested that 1/3 of all teachers wanted more training and development on how to teach pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
There are now approximately 1.5 million pupils in England who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), representing 16.5% of all pupils in England - the vast majority of which are educated in mainstream schools.
The Eden Academy Trust (EAT), a MAT of special schools in London and the North of England, is currently supporting the implementation of this pilot with its staff, offering them the opportunity to complete a Primary Post Graduate Teacher Apprenticeship (PGTA).
The 14-month PGTA will be completed in a special school setting and include a 6-week placement in a mainstream setting. It’s expected that around 8 or 10 participants will take part in September 2023.
Additional training
Additional training will take place on core skills for children with Mild Learning Difficulties (MLD) and Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD). This includes communication development, social and emotional learning for pre-language learners and the Assess, Plan, Do and Review cycle for special schools. There will be a focus on very early maths and very early literacy.
The apprentices will be supported by special school expert colleagues, both mentors [SF2] in school and tutors from the NIoT/EAT, who will enable them to apply their learning to each of their individual contexts. They will have an extended contrasting school placement in a mainstream setting in the age-range they are training to teach in. They will also have an opportunity for a further placement in the Summer Term to ensure secure knowledge of early reading including phonics, at the age range they are training to teach.
At the end of the apprenticeship, staff will achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Level 6 teaching apprenticeship whilst have the overwhelming benefit of extensive experience in a specialist setting for children with wide-ranging Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
If an Early Careers Teacher (ECT) decides to then continue their teaching in a mainstream setting, they will take knowledge about teaching pupils with SEND with them - an invaluable benefit for those mainstream settings with pupils who either have an EHCP, are on the SEN Register or being monitored for potential support needs.
Reuben Moore, Executive Director of Programmes for the NIoT, said: “This is a small pilot programme that could make a big difference in giving trainee teachers the tools they need to support children with special educational needs and disabilities to flourish.
“The SEND sector is understaffed and there is demand for this type of training. If the pilot is successful, it could be an additional, focused, recruitment stream for special schools and can give trainees in mainstream schools a stronger foundation in SEND training.”
Susan Douglas, CEO, Eden Academy Trust said: “Ensuring all ECTs enter their career with considerable SEND knowledge can only be a positive thing for mainstream and special schools alike.”