Why some children need specialist teachers

Ofsted has found that teacher training is only "above satisfactory" in one third of schools. Young teachers are often not trained properly to deal with pupils who have learning or physical disabilities, and the children are suffering.
Sadly, this news won't surprise many in education. Recently I have been talking to a number of dyslexia specialists who are concerned about their status and about the children they hope to help. One told me that many specialist teachers are being replaced by teaching assistants, or higher level teaching assistants, who have little or no training in comparison.
"I have just qualified with my PG Diploma in Dyslexia and Literacy and have found that it is not easy to find a job because most schools have a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and a group of TAs," one told me. "It's a shame because dyslexic individuals of whatever age usually need very specialised assessment and teaching which is what we are trained to do to a high level."
This may not sound as if it's relevant to your child, but it might be. Twenty percent of children have dyslexia and other specialist learning difficulties, and if they're not given the right support, it can be disastrous for their education.
This issue is being taken seriously by the government, with the Rose Review and say no to failure ongoing, and there is a definite sense that we need children to perform to their potential. However, for those with dyslexia and other learning difficulties, that means specialist help, from qualified people, right from the start. The longer these children aren't helped, the worse their progression through education. Many never catch up. 
The parents of these children know that's true, but let's be honest, the key issue is, of course, money. The funds for employing these teachers is devolved to the schools, and everyone wants their share of the school budget. The question, as in all of education, is what to prioritise?

Read School Gate on:

What a dog can teach you about ADHD

Helping your child with Aspergers through school

Comments

[j]

I have steered two children with SEN through state primary school. I see a big difference between parents who make the school their ally and those who expect the school to magic up funding and staff. I was my headteacher's Rottweiler- I would say to her, let me know when you need me to put on the stroppy middle class cow act with the LEA- and she would.

I have to say though that I did teach both my disabled children to read myself in the end. I found Reader Reflex very helpful, even for the very seriously disabled one.

[diana]

Talking of special needs - the validation system (black text on a blotchy grey/ black background)for posting comments prevents those with sight problems having their say!

[diana]

GPs are paid a lot more than teachers & their training lasts longer but they are not expected to be able to diagnose and treat all their patients without referral to test results, databases (e.g. poisons) & specialists. Teachers can be teaching a child whose learning is affected by epilepsy, where medication makes a huge difference but is changed every 6 months by consultants. Or a mute child whose support is hindered first by parents being fearful of the SEN register then by the complexity of his/ her needs. And all the while, there are 28 other children in the class and the ever changing educational iniatives. OFSTED recognises that teachers in training and NQTs who face situations like these act professionally, learning about and trialling teaching methods to benefit the pupils. A reasonable level of funding and good access to expert knowledge are always nice!

[Alice]

I work in a state secondary school.

The SENCO leads a team of TAs, yes, but she also leads the whole of the teaching staff in teaching SEN pupils. SEN learning isn't left to the TAs. The TAs support the SEN pupils in the classroom, but the teachers do the teaching. All staff have a duty towards the SEN cohort, and have training and resources to support their work.

However, some schools don't provide enough TAs to support the pupils and the recent reorganisation of the Statement system, with the withdrawal of earmarked funding to provide specialised support, means that this lack of proper resources is likely to grow.