SEN professionals often give a good
36-38 hours a week (and significantly more) of their time, both in the classroom and in office administration, to ensure their pupils have the chance to thrive through their learning.
One of the biggest concerns we hear from the SEN teachers that we recruit however is how they can keep their SEN teacher career progression moving forward. Because surely, after you’ve
become an SEN teacher/teaching assistant role and been promoted to become the school’s SENCo, there’s nowhere else to go?
There’s a constant stream of research taking place in the SEN sector; and with every new discovery made, there are new training and CPD opportunities to be had (the latest Talis report has shown that teachers want more SEND training, too)!
2. A different environment
Although most people think of mainstream/special schools in particular when it comes to SEN teacher recruitment, you can actually expand your skill set in a number of different environments.
For example, once you feel you’ve taken your abilities as far as they can go in your current school, you could find yourself stretching them further and in a different direction in settings such as Pupil Referral Units or hospital schools.
You could also take your skills out of the classroom and into private tutoring, or even visit a different number of schools through supply work!
3. Senior management
One of the best things about being an SEN teacher is that you’re not restricted to just that position; in fact, you can apply your knowledge and skill set in pretty much any other education-based role!
This is why a lot of SEN teachers find themselves progressing into more senior roles within their current school, such as head of department, or head of key stage.
And who knows, with enough training and development, you could find yourself deputy head or head teacher one day, whilst still being able to do what you love most – support your SEN pupils.
4. Out of the classroom, into your Local Education Authority (LEA)
Once you’ve reached the greatest heights of your SEN teacher career progression in the school setting, you might decide it’s time to take your knowledge and skills in a different direction altogether.
Many SEN professionals elevate their career by taking on the role of Special Needs Officer or Special Needs Assessment Officer in their LEA, where they assess the provision required to meet children's special educational needs and manage the development of these provisions to ensure that the best recommendations are made.
The great news is that you can still go back to your roots and
work with SEN pupils alongside this role!
5. Training provision and further education
For some SEN professionals, they take their career full circle by providing training to PGCE students and SEN trainees, or becoming a university or college lecturer.
Again, you can still return to the classroom setting and work with SEN pupils in these roles – in fact, this is encouraged to ensure you’re up to speed with the latest teaching methodologies and best practices!
Ready to fulfil your potential?
As you can see, a career as an SEN teacher opens up a multitude of opportunities for you to fulfil your potential!