What is SEND teaching and how to support students with special educational needs and disabilities

Introduction

SEND teaching is the practice of providing inclusive and accessible education for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). SEND students may have learning difficulties, physical impairments, sensory impairments, mental health issues, communication difficulties, or social and emotional challenges that affect their ability to learn and participate in school activities. SEND teaching aims to identify and address the barriers that these students face and to ensure that they receive the appropriate support and adjustments to achieve their full potential.

SEND Teaching Principles

SEND teaching is based on the following principles:

• Every student has the right to an education that meets their individual needs and enables them to achieve their goals.
• Every student should be valued and respected as a unique learner and a member of the school community.
• Every student should have access to a broad and balanced curriculum that is differentiated and adapted to suit their abilities and interests.
• Every student should be involved in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of their learning and have their views and preferences taken into account.
• Every student should be supported by a collaborative team of teachers, teaching assistants, specialists, and parents or carers who work together to provide the best possible outcomes.
• Every student should be monitored and assessed regularly to track their progress and identify their strengths and areas for improvement.
• Every student should be provided with appropriate feedback and guidance to help them improve their learning and self-esteem.
• Every student should be encouraged and challenged to develop their skills, knowledge, and confidence and to celebrate their achievements.

SEND Teaching Strategies

SEND teaching requires a range of strategies and interventions to support students with different needs and abilities. Some of the common strategies are:

• Using clear and simple language and instructions.
• Using visual aids and concrete materials to illustrate concepts and tasks.
• Using multisensory approaches to engage different learning styles and modalities.
• Using scaffolding and modelling to demonstrate and guide students through the learning process.
• Using differentiation and personalisation to tailor the content, pace, and level of challenge to each student.
• Using cooperative and collaborative learning to promote social interaction and peer support.
• Using positive reinforcement and praise to motivate and encourage students.
• Using formative and summative assessment to monitor and evaluate students’ learning and provide feedback.
• Using individual education plans (IEPs) or individual learning plans (ILPs) to set specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) goals and targets for each student.
• Using additional support and resources, such as teaching assistants, specialists, mentors, or external agencies, to provide extra help and guidance for students who need it.