The document provides 5 tips for trainee teachers to support students with special educational needs (SEN) in mainstream classrooms. Tip 1 is to understand why a student may be behaving in a certain way by considering their perspective and context. Tip 2 is to carefully consider assessment of students. Tip 3 is to have a toolkit of resources ready to support students with different needs. Tip 4 is to structure conversations with parents using questions. And Tip 5 is to be empathetic with students. The document aims to equip trainee teachers with strategies for teaching students with SEN.

1. Supporting SEND in Mainstream
Classrooms for Trainee Teachers
ResearchSEND Conference
2nd March, 2019
Terri Cawser
Partners on the pathway to a positive future for children and young people
www.accesstoeducation.birmingham.gov.uk

2. Aims
The aim of this session is to give you my 5
top tips for starting to teach children with
Special Educational Needs.

3. Remember…

4. Remember…

5. 4 Broad Areas of Need
1. Communication & Interaction
2. Cognition & Learning
3. Social, Emotional &
Mental health
4. Sensory and/or Physical
Needs

6. Code of Practice Terms
• SEN Support
• Education, Health and Care Plan

7. Assess, Plan, Do, Review

8. Tip 1: Understand behaviour

9. Tip 1: Understand behaviour
Daniel is 8 years old.
When the teacher goes to the playground to collect the class
after play he is stood next to the teacher on duty being told
off. When she asks what is wrong the teacher on duty tells her
that he has hit another child.
Daniel’s teacher becomes annoyed with him and says “This is
the third time this week Daniel – you are in trouble now!”
Daniel tells his teacher that he “doesn’t care!”.
The teacher becomes more annoyed and tells him that he
will have no more playtimes this week.
Daniel runs away.

10. Tip 1: Understand behaviour
Earlier that day…
Daniel is 8 years old.
He wakes up and his little brother, with whom he shares a bed,
has wet the bed – again! He’s going to have to change his bed
sheets – again! But not until he’s got his little brother’s breakfast.
He looks at the clock, it is 8:45 – he is going to be late for school -
again! No time for him to eat then. The lady in the office is
going to moan at him - again! His teacher is going to tut as he
walks into the room - again! He is going to miss what the
teacher tells the class to do in the lesson and so he’ll have to
guess and then get it wrong–again!

11. Tip 1: Understand behaviour
Can you open the door?

12. Tip 1: Understand behaviour
When you understand why a child is behaving in the
way they are dealing with it becomes much easier.
My golden rules would be:
• Consider the language you are using
• Take care with reward systems
• Pick your arguments
• Set the tone
• Do with not to
• Follow through

13. Tip 2: Consider Assessment Carefully

14. Tip 2: Consider Assessment Carefully

15. Tip 3: Have a Toolkit of Resources Ready

16. Tip 3: Have a Toolkit of Resources Ready

17. Tip 3: Have a Toolkit of Resources Ready

18. Tip 3: Have a Toolkit of Resources Ready

19. Tip 4: Structure Your Conversations With
Parents
http://helensandersonassociates.c
o.uk/person-centred-
practice/person-centred-thinking-
tools/4-plus-1-questions/

20. Tip 5: Be Human
http://esheninger.blogspot.com/2017/05/empathy-and-leadership.html

21. Terri Cawser
terri.cawser@birmingham.gov.uk
@A2Education
@tcawser
www.accesstoeducation.birmingham.gov.uk