Developing Special Schools as Placements
in Initial Teacher Training
25th June 2012
Dr Melanie PeterSenior Lecturer in Education
Anglia Ruskin University, [email protected]
0845 196 3536
A Quiz! • How many disabled children are there in the
UK (2009)?
• Is this figure rising or falling? By what percentage?
• What is the survival rate (percentage) of children born prematurely at 26 weeks? 31 weeks?
• How many children in a small primary school of 100 pupils will be pre-term?
The education of children with SEN is ‘not fit for purpose’
House of Commons Select Committee (2006)
‘We must now strengthen support for teaching children with SEN in school to ensure we have the right expertise in place in the classroom’.
Alan Johnson, Education Secretary, 2006
‘These children need properly organised provision from specifically trained teachers and support staff’
Steve Sinnott, Gen Sec of the NUT
The Lamb Enquiry, 2009
Improving parental confidence and outcomes for children:implications for Higher Education Institutions and training providers
• Equipping the workforce
• Preparing for partnerships
http://www.education.gov.uk/complexneeds/modules/Module-2.1-Planning-to-meet-needs/All/m05p010b.html#
Potential to enhance the trainee experience
• Greater coherence for trainees gaining from special schools/SRBs within ITT
• Inform the respective roles for future partnership between ARU and training special schools, in line with the government intentions for increased school-based teacher training
• Inform the development of possible specialist PGCE degrees in Inclusion and SEN-D with QTS, in response to the growing call from our partnership of schools and nationally
• Inform school-based placements across disciplines in relation to
children with SEN-D
• Strengthen multi-agency input on professional training programmes across Faculties
• Enhance diversity of trainees through national and international reputation and recruitment.
‘Teaching SLD/PMLD is considered an area of specialist expertise, with higher status and value, attracting some of the best applicants’
Salt Review, 2010
Where do we want to be?
• Watch the clip of an English session in a special school classroom…
• What do you think might be some of the training challenges– A) for a trainee?– B) for a visiting tutor?– C) for a placement mentor?
http://www.education.gov.uk/complexneeds/modules/Module-2.2-Considering-communication-and-interaction/All/m06p040a.html
Some issues for SEN-D in Initial Teacher Training
High support needs for trainees due to:• Complexity & individuality of placements• Emotional support for trainees• Ensuring compliance with QTS
The changing SEN population: 25% of children with SLD and PMLD are now in mainstream schools (Salt Review, 2010)
Preparing trainees for educating children with complex needs Engaging with research for ‘new generation pedagogy’ (Carpenter 2010)
Stipulations for gaining professional standardsEg Teaching Agency experience in consecutive age ranges -not demands of types of provision - hampers developmental placements in special schools
Project aims
• To evaluate the impact of differentiated placement structures and practice tools to support trainees in special schools/mainstream specialist resource bases (SRBs) within ITT
• To identify strategies for sustaining trainees developing specialism in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEN-D) on placement in specialist context
• To identify implications for the respective roles of the provider and training special school in the changing professional context
Anticipated project outcomes
• 1. a differentiated developmental placement design to support trainees on alternative and assessed special school/SRB placements
• 2. strategic deployment of TDA and other materials to support trainees on special school/SRB placements in their direct work with children with SEN-D, including those with CLDD
• 3. issues and strategies for mentoring trainees on ITT
across levels in specialist placements
• 4. guiding issues, principles and strategies for work-based learning placements on professional training courses for working with children with SEN-D across disciplines
Training and Development Agency: SEN-D developments in ITT
• TDA ‘SEN Training Toolkit’ – Primary and Secondary’ - flexible sets of materials2008: undergraduate, Primary & Secondary2009: PGCE
• Specialist placements since 2008 – 4 x week extended placements in special schools / Specialist Resource Bases (paired placements)
• Establishment of regional SEN clusters and networks – ARU is the Eastern Region facilitator
On-line training resources for SEN-D• ‘The Salt materials’Training resources for special education for the 21st Century
Severe learning difficultiesProfound and multiple learning difficultiesComplex learning difficulties and disabilities
www.education.gov.uk/complexneeds/
• ‘The Lamb materials’Advanced training materials for
Autism, Dyslexia, Speech, Communication and Language Needs, Behaviour, Emotional and Social Difficulties, Moderate Learning Difficulties
www.education.gov.uk/lamb/
The Teaching Agency’s vision for ITT for Inclusion and SEN – Anglia Ruskin University 2012
CORE SKILLS
All trainees
ADVANCED SKILLS
Some trainees
SPECIALIST SKILLS
A few trainees
Specialist module for PGCE - severe & complex needs focusPossible specialist PGCE (tbc by TA)
Final 3rd year / PGCE placement in a special school or SRB
SEN module in 2nd year; preparatory workshops for special school placement
Extended 2nd year / PGCE enrichment placement in a special school
Inclusion/SEN embedded on all modules; intro to signing workshops
Optional 2-week specialist enrichment placement in 2nd year / PGCE
What should a newly qualified professional (teacher) be able to do competently in relation to children with SEN?
How might a specialist placement enable a trainee to meet professional standards?
What will be the support needs of trainees at different levels?
What barriers might there be for hosting placements for trainees in a special school & how could these be overcome?
What should be the design of a developmental training structure in the specialist context?
What sensitive issues might arise with regard to trainees?
Key issues for mentoring:
Practical issues for mentoring
• Number of adults to children ratio in classes• Low numbers in primary age range specialist
provisions, especially in MLD• Best staff (role models) are across the age range, not
just primary• Children on 2 school rolls, or move between mixed
specialist provision & base class• Management of mentoring of more than one trainee• Specialist teachers (eg physiotherapist, speech
therapist, music therapist) – affects the teaching context
Newly Qualified Teacher – New QTS Standards
1. Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils
2. Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils3. Demonstrate good subject and curriculum
knowledge4. Plan and teach well structured lessons5. Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and
needs of all pupils6. Make accurate and productive use of assessment7. Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and
safe learning environment8. Fulfil wider professional responsibilities
Specialist placements at ARU2008-9:10 x 2nd year trainees paired in 4 x special schools & 1 x mainstream Specialist Resource Base (SRB)
2009-10: 4 x 1st year and 6 x 3rd year trainees paired in split placements in
mainstream schools with Specialist Resource Bases
2010-11:6 x 2nd year trainees paired in 2 x day special schools and 1 x
residential school
2011-12: 14 x 2nd year trainees on 4 week extended enrichment placement in
special schools3 x 3rd year trainees on final ASSESSED 7-week school placement in
special schools1 x PGCE trainee on final ASSESSED school placement in a
mainstream hearing impaired provision
Developmental placement structure for SEN contexts
PLACEMENT EXPECTATIONS ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES
LEVEL 1:INCLUSIVE MAINSTREAM PRIMARY CLASS
50% of teaching by final weekTeach & track a child with SEN – build up a portfolio case study
Observations of the child with SEN Shadowing of SENCO, specialist teacher, LSAPlan & teach lessons
LEVEL 2: SPECIAL SCHOOL / SRB – enrichment placements, 2 or 4 weeks
Directed tasksTeach routine sessions (eg snack time, register/hello, end of day)Plan a whole morning/afternoonInnovate a story-based sessionWork up to taking over up to 40% of teaching daily timetable in special school class
Observations of child(ren) & planning across range of contextsPlanning for LSASome teaching – under direction
LEVEL 3 & PGCE:Final 7-week placement in SPECIAL SCHOOL / SRB
Teach up to 70% of timetableAttending & contributing at reviews & related meetings (10%)Plan teaching of Individual Education Plans (individual priority needs) across contexts
Planning for extended opportunities in partnershipObservation of outreach support role
Evaluation
• 1. Evaluation of effectiveness of the differentiated placement design to support trainee progress
• 2. Evaluation of materials to support trainees at different levels in their direct work with children with SEN-D, including CLDD
• 3. Identify issues and strategies for mentoring trainees across levels in special schools / SRBs
• 4. Articulation of key guiding issues, principles and strategies for SEN-D placements on professional training courses
Data gathering & analysis
• Evaluative questionnaires post-placement to trainees (2-week, 4-week and 7-week)
• Evaluative questionnaires post-placement to school mentors
• Analysis of observation feedback and tutorial notes from visiting tutor and school mentors
• Analysis of session evaluations to preparatory workshops
• Analysis of evaluations from school mentors attending SEN-D Mentoring Events at ARU
• Analysis of student perceptions – reflective journals, trainee presentations to peers
Overall achievements & gains - trainees• Empathic relationships with pupils with SEN • Confidence – making a difference• A strong sense of identity - personal & professional
Knowledge and understanding of specialist provision• Understanding of inclusion• Regard for special educators• Acquiring specific skills
– Communication approaches– Differentiation– Team-working– Care aspects– Observation – Holistic regard– Behaviour approaches – Specialist interventions
‘…those involved in SEN are special themselves and seem to have that little bit more to give’
‘The school, staff and pupils make a wonderful place to be every day and an unforgettable
experience’
‘The placement has given me a lot more confidence in myself as a trainee teacher’
‘The mentors in the school were very
supportive and helpful throughout’
‘This pilot scheme has inspired me to gain
extra experience’ in a SEN setting’
‘I can positively say that our mentor could not do any more
than she did… and was an inspiration to me’
‘I have enjoyed every single minute, it was an invaluable
experience…THANK YOU!!!’
Quality mentoring
• Personalised placement• Value of paired placements & peer support• Cascading of mentoring• Emotional nurturing – provision of an outlet• Keep reflective learning journals• Brief class team and rest of staff • Study time protected• Daily feedback, debrief• Extended debrief on Fridays, but ‘open door’• Allow to make mistakes – take risks• Challenge – extend trainee, high expectations, innovate,
praise successes• 3-way trust, with University Placement Tutor – negotiate
development targets, personalised support• Developmental placement design
‘The UPT visits were very helpful… discussions
were very useful for my own development as a mentor and teacher’
‘The assessment descriptors were very
helpful, also the quality of the students was very high. They rose to the
challenge and listened… it was hard to hold back their
keenness!’
‘It has been a really rewarding experience
watching the trainees grow in skill and confidence’
‘Special education deserves this
specialist input at teacher training level’
I learned a lot from the UPT and hope she learnt from me
as well’
It gave a boost to our staff…we are a good school with much to offer training in SEN
‘…it was useful to have a continuing relationship with
the university during the placement… to see that both institutions were working in
the same way’
‘It has been a privilege to input to a new initiative’
Overall achievements & gains - university
• Developmental placement structure • Mentoring support for schools • Expertise within hubs• Personalising placements• Strategies for diversity• Strengthening the curriculum• Inclusive ethos• Peer support for SEN amongst trainees• Networking with other providers• National prominence!
Ofsted, May 2012
• SEN – A particular feature of the provision!
‘the lead taken by the university in a number of developments – such as … in the teaching of primary age pupils with special education needs– these are clear signs of restored self-confidence and of the confidence that others have in the work of the university’
• SEN - A key strength!
‘as a result of improvements in the training, trainees’ ability and confidence in promoting pupils’ good behaviour and teaching early reading and pupils with different needs and abilities’.
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