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Professional Development & Teacher Training
Special training for
special needs
by Mark Bowes, Trainer and
Consultant at JBE Training and
Development
“The number of SEN pupils being
integrated into a mainstream setting has
sharply increased as a result of the
Government’s Inclusion Agenda in 2006.
Three years on and the issue of SEN teacher
training remains in the spotlight, with
many industry experts arguing that
mainstream schools are ill equipped to deal
with pupils with special education needs.
Given that many pupils with special
educational needs are now absorbed into
mainstream education it is obvious more
needs to be done to equip teachers with
the skills needed to manage young people
with special educational needs.
Invest in your staff
The National Union of Teachers has also
stressed that mainstream schools are not
properly equipped to deal with pupils U
nfortunately, in a recession, one of the first standards in schools as staff development equips
areas of investment to be dropped is that of the school workforce with the skills to effectively
with special educational needs. In a ongoing training and development. In every walk of support pupils and help them reach their full
Cambridge University report published life, not just teaching, continuing professional potential.
two years ago it claimed that teachers development or CPD is known to significantly There are many types of continuing professional
were regularly having to deliver specialist contribute to performance. But it can be compared development (CPD). It's important to help
services without adequate training. to healthy eating – we know it does us good – colleagues identify the CPD opportunities that best
More recently, the Government advisor, however, we also know that we can still function meet their development needs and objectives, so
Sir Alan Steer, went on the record to state without it. that you can help improve standards in your school.
that bad behaviour in schools is being And, just like healthy eating, for CPD to have any There are CPD opportunities for individuals,
fuelled by teachers' failure to properly real effect, it needs to be part of a sustained plan, within school, through networks and outside of
identify children with special educational tailored to the individual. This takes time and schools in the form of training days and courses. It is
needs. It is estimated 17.2% of pupils have investment and a willingness on the part of all those worth considering how many of these opportunities
an SEN, but fewer than 3% (222,600 involved to see the training through. your staff and colleagues are taking advantage of.
children) have been statemented. David Grailey, chief executive at qualification
Although there are some educational awarding body NCFE believes that now more than Opportunities for individuals
institutions which are now addressing this ever, schools should invest in professional training Examples include:
shortfall in basic teacher training this is and development. “Amidst the doom and gloom of • reading books, periodicals and the educational
mainly through post graduate the recession, it can be easy for organisations to let press
qualifications or masters certificates. This team morale slip and lose sight of their focus,” he • self-directed study
means that the majority of teachers are says. “Tension, financial strain and other hurdles • watching programmes (eg Teachers TV)
still not getting SEN training or very little between staff can often hamper progress both • keeping a learning log or reflective diary
of it. collectively and as individuals.
JBE Training and Development offers “Investing time and resources into the Opportunities within school
continuing professional development professional development of employees can help These enable staff to learn with and from each
programmes to primary and secondary strip down these obstacles and improve working other, and from their pupils. A CPD leader can help
schools throughout the UK on behavior practices to reap generous rewards. Workplace staff identify colleagues who have skills and
management, compelling learning, barriers can inhibit individual career progression and experience they can pass on. Advice and
emotional intelligence and identifying in turn negatively affect business, therefore suggestions from experienced, or particularly skilled,
special needs amongst many other special identifying key areas for improvement is vital in colleagues can help other staff gain new skills and
education areas. To find out more visit order to overcome them,” he adds. improve their performance.
www.jbetraining.co.uk The Training and Development Agency claims Examples include:
there is a clear link between CPD and raising • working with different colleagues
October 2009
www.education-today.co.uk
29
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