5 ways to make the most of your SEN pupil contact time

 

As a specialist SEN recruitment agency, the sharp increase in the number of SEN pupils attending state special schools over the last six years hasn’t gone unnoticed at Class People. Coupled with all the administrative tasks and other duties expected of SEN teachers, the time SEN teachers actually have to spend with their SEN pupils is sadly becoming increasingly limited.

 

In fact, research has found that 74% of SENCOs stated that they do not have enough time to ensure that SEN pupils are able to access the provision that they need, and 47% of primary SENCOs and 36% secondary SENCOs stated that they had two days or less per week to focus on the role.

 

As every SEN teacher knows, taking the time to build relationships and trust with their SEN pupils is vital to their learning success. So, as an SEN teacher, how can you make the most of the time you do have?

 

We’ve come up with 5 ideas below that will help…

 

Make your classroom SEN-friendly

 

This is a great starting point for being able to make the most of your SEN contact time; a regular classroom often has features that can make learning more difficult for SEN pupils, such as unsettling noises and bright, artificial lighting. By designing your classroom to be as SEN-friendly as possible, this will help to prevent any disruptions or distractions during your lessons, meaning that your pupils will be able to maintain focus for longer, and you’ll therefore be able to make the most of your time with them. Consider whether you need to make more space for your pupils to move around in, whether there are enough windows in your classroom to accommodate natural light, and how you can keep any aural distractions to a minimum. 

 

Getting to know you

 

If you’re new to your role or haven’t had an opportunity to do so yet, a “getting to know you” session or two can have an amazing impact on your following lessons. Building strong teacher-pupil relationships has been found to help SEN teachers understand their pupils’ individual needs better, and subsequently offer them more impactful and enjoyable learning experiences. There are lots of different free activities available out there to help you get to know your pupils better - and they get to know each other - and build the foundations they need for a positive learning journey, such as these ones from twinkle and these ones from TES.

 

 

Take the time to listen

 

Although you will undoubtedly have a lot to get through in the short space of time you have with your SEN pupils, it will be much more impactful in the long run if you slow things down, take the time to really listen to them when they try to express themselves, and respond appropriately. This will allow them to practice their communication skills, and they will gradually be able to do so more quickly. 

 

Take the classroom outdoors

 

One of the things we hear a lot from teachers as a SEN recruitment agency is that SEN pupils are often unable to enjoy outdoor play and learning opportunities due to supervision and transportation requirements. However, it can be wonderfully beneficial for their learning - particularly for pupils with sensory sensitivities, as it gets them away from the artificial lighting and aural overload of the classroom, and gives them a chance to really explore their senses. And you don’t even have to go far - simple gardens or local woodlands can provide some versatile learning opportunities! Learning outdoors can also help to relieve the stress that SEN pupils often feel when engaging in learning activities, and be an opportunity for them to expend their energy, ready to help them focus again when they’re back in the classroom. In a similar vein...

 

Make their learning fun!

 

Learning through fun is an effective teaching method for most pupils, but for SEN pupils, it’s especially powerful! As mentioned above, SEN pupils can sometimes feel stressed or overwhelmed with the work presented to them, so putting it into a fun context can relieve this stress and help them to see the problem in front of them in a way that is easier to understand. There are some fantastic resources out there that you can start implementing right away, so you won’t need to worry about spending time preparing.

 

Conclusion

 

Making the most of the time you have with your SEN pupils is absolutely essential for their learning and development. Class People are a specialist SEN recruitment agency, offering flexible teaching opportunities for teachers, teaching assistants, therapists and school leaders, so by taking a role with us, you’ll have opportunities to spend time with SEN pupils and help them to thrive! If you are considering taking on a career in SEN, get in contact with our team today, we’d love to hear from you!