The four key teaching techniques that SEN teachers apply
‘Special Education Needs’ (SEN) is a term applied to a child or young person who presents learning difficulties. Depending on the student, the difficulty could be physical, developmental, behavioural/emotional or sensory impaired, all of which make up the four types of special needs. Special education provisions must therefore be made for each SEN student.
While a one size fits all approach is not suitable within SEN teaching, there are certain teaching methods that facilitate the development of SEN students while considering their individual needs. This factors in the understanding that the classroom isn’t just a place to teach students the curriculum. It’s a place where teachers should address each child’s social and emotional development and prepare them for the future.
Here are four key teaching techniques that SEN teachers can apply - both in a mainstream school or special school - to empower their students with the skills they’ll need in later life:
Group work
Disruptive and withdrawn behaviour are barriers for learning for some SEN pupils and though not every student will exhibit these behaviours, it will most likely be displayed in an SEN classroom. Group work is a key teaching technique used by SEN teachers to engage the class and it encourages social participation. Social skills are essential as they’re required beyond a student’s years, when they are required to integrate with their community and play an inclusive role.
When it comes to group work, there are two options: mixed ability and ability grouping. However, student must be exposed to a range of learning contexts, including whole-class work and individual work, which will prevent them from becoming passive learners.
Developing individuality
It’s important that SEN teachers create a supportive environment to help pupils cope with stress and anxiety. It also helps students in mainstream schools visualise their pathway to GCSEs and A-levels, and prepares students in special schools for life outside of education. A person-centred approach involves them in the discussion about their learning, supporting them to be independent and in control of their future.
Because ‘special education needs’ is a term that encompasses a broad group of students - each with unique difficulties or disabilities - adopting a differentiated approach is the best way to ensure that they get the most benefits from their education.
Thematic learning
Some teaching styles are more effective in an SEN classroom, one being the thematic approach. This teaching techniques takes a central theme, combining the basic disciplines – reading, maths, science and so on - and creates a framework that allows students to build on the knowledge they already have of the topic.
For example, a central theme could be, ‘The mighty and powerful oceans’, and each subject would relate to this topic. In English, students would study Gulliver’s Travels and in art, they’d draw the rolling waves and biology teachers would explain the wonderful diversity of sea life, with history lessons exploring the journey of pirates. Topics like these are relevant to the students because they are real-world examples they can easily relate to. A thematic approach puts the learning into context and makes it more meaningful for pupils, stirring their curiosity and desire to learn.
Praising positive behaviour
Together with an SEN teaching assistant, SEN teachers should create a classroom environment that is encouraging and rewards positive behaviour. Praise is one of the top behaviour management strategies and there are three key forms: personal, effort-based and behaviour specific. Imagine a scenario where a teacher is addressing their students but one is looking around the classroom and is close to distracting other students. This will be a familiar situation for SEN teachers and by using signals to praise students they can ensure they don’t disrupt the flow of the lesson. For example, a teacher catches the pupil’s eye as they bring their attention back and the teacher praises them with a simple thumbs up or a smile. This behaviour-specific praise enforces the correct behaviour without any other students being distracted.
Though effective praise is one of the most powerful ways to enforce positive behaviour, merit systems and reward nomination systems are helpful tactics to teach SEN students what is acceptable both inside the classroom and outside.
Find an SEN teaching job with Teaching Personnel
These four key teaching techniques can be applied by SEN teachers both in a mainstream school or special school and if you’re ready to put them in practice we’ve got a range of SEN teaching positions for you to browse. Whether you’re looking for your next teaching role in a primary school, secondary school, as part of the National Tuition Programme or as a learning support assistant, our dedicated SEN branches and consultants can help. We live by the philosophy that we recruit for the role, deliver for the child.
View our special needs teacher jobs and SEN support teacher jobs and explore the specialist roles we are looking to fill. If you can’t find the right position, get in touch and we’ll find it for you.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£75 - 85 per day
Location free text
Bournemouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Special Needs
Location
Bournemouth
Description
Teaching Personnel has been approached by a specialist provision in Wimborne which caters for pupils aged 6-19 with complex social, emotional, and mental health difficulties, specialising in Autism. M
Reference
JDVBYGIB
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset SENAuthor
Dorset SENSalary
£12.90 - 14.00 per hour
Location free text
Hayle
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEND Support
Location
Cornwall
Description
We are currently recruiting for a 1:1 Teaching Assistants to work in the Hayle area.The ideal candidate will have experience with SEN and SEMH needs and have strong behaviour management skills. It is
Reference
KP 367
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Cornwall PrimaryAuthor
Cornwall PrimarySalary
Market related
Location free text
Clevedon
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEMH
Location
Somerset
Description
A unique provision in the Nailsea area is looking for a deeply understanding and patient Teaching Assistant who understands young people who have faced immense trauma and struggle in their life and ai
Reference
CHIndeed7
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Bristol SENAuthor
Bristol SENSalary
£31,350 - 46,179 per year
Location free text
Caterham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Special Needs
Location
Surrey
Description
Role: Music and Performing Arts Teacher Area: Caterham, Surrey Start: September (or sooner for the right candidate) Contract: Full time, Permanent Salary: £31,350 - £46,179 per year (M1 - UPS2 Fringe)
Reference
JHA21
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Permanent StaffingAuthor
Permanent StaffingSalary
£12 - 15 per hour
Location free text
Manchester
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Primary SEN Support
Location
Manchester
Description
SEN Teaching Assistant Role Location: ManchesterStart date: As soon as possibleContract type: Full time (long-term and short-term roles available)Pay rate: £12.82 - £14.00 an hourA mainstream primary
Reference
764456
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester South PrimaryAuthor
Manchester South PrimarySalary
£31,350 - 46,179 per year
Location free text
Caterham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teacher
Location
Surrey
Description
Role: ICT Teacher Area: Caterham, Surrey Start: September (or sooner for the right candidate) Contract: Full time, Permanent Salary: £31,350 - £46,179 per year (M1 - UPS2 Fringe) Plus £5,000 Welcome b
Reference
JHA20
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Permanent StaffingAuthor
Permanent StaffingSalary
£77 - 90 per day
Location free text
Wisbech
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £20,000
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Primary SEN Support
Location
Wisbech
Description
A Fantastic Primary School in Wisbech are looking to appoint for a ASC Support Specialist to work on a 1:1 basis with a KS2 Pupil who is due to begin at the school in the new academic year.If you have
Reference
JC10007ASCTA24A
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Cambridge PrimaryAuthor
Cambridge PrimarySalary
£12.90 - 12.90 per hour
Location free text
Fishponds
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEMH
Location
Bristol
Description
Are you a caring individual with a passion for supporting vulnerable adolescents in the community? Have you felt discouraged by the emphasis on exam results and OFSTED inspections in education? Or per
Reference
JMIndeedFish
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Bristol SENAuthor
Bristol SENSalary
Market related
Location free text
Stockport
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SLD
Location
Stockport
Description
Are you a Learning Support Assistant looking for a new and rewarding role in education?Are you passionate about supporting children with Special Educational Needs?One of our partnership SEN schools in
Reference
48 TA SEN SM
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester East SENAuthor
Manchester East SENSalary
£12.90 - 12.90 per hour + Benefits
Location free text
Bournemouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Special Needs
Location
Bournemouth
Description
Teaching Personnel have an exciting opportunity to join a specialist SEN school in Poole, Dorset. We are currently seeking a number of Education Support Workers and Teaching Assistants to join the sc
Reference
CR TA BH
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset SENAuthor
Dorset SENRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
Planning for the Easter break? The Teaching Personnel payroll team wants to make sure you get paid on time. This table outlines the Easter 2024 payroll date, along with the corresponding deadline
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Supply TeachingContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Table of Contents 1. Why do people become supply teachers? 2. What does it take to become a supply teacher? 3. How can I find work as a supply teacher? <!-- b--> 4. How shou
by
Alex Schulte
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in schools is a critical aspect of education that demands attention in 2024. According to the Department for Education, over 1.5 million pupils in England
Teaser
Multi-Academy TrustsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Laura Williams is an education leadership coach with fifteen years of leadership experience in education across business, operations, HR, finance and governance. She is a former Business Manager, CO
by
Scott Owen
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Creating a safe and nurturing environment for pupils is paramount in the age of evolving social dynamics. One issue that has gained significant attention in recent years is the distinction between
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson addressed the Labour Party conference in October, where she announced plans to reform primary maths. Currently, one in four children leave primary school
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
Mock exams are a crucial milestone in a pupil's academic journey, serving as a practice run for the real deal. As educators, you play a pivotal role in helping pupils navigate through these trial ex
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
In the fast-moving world of education, headteachers and schools face the challenge of ensuring a continuous and reliable supply of qualified teachers. Unforeseen teacher absences due to staff sickness
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Embarking on the journey to become an educator is both exhilarating and demanding. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is crucial to achieving your teaching ambitions. The road ahead
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD08YY
Summary
Teaching is a rewarding profession that plays a crucial role in shaping our society's future. However, it comes with its challenges. The workload can be demanding, which might sometimes lead to feelin
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job