Earlier this year, the Department for Education published its latest statistics on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in schools in England. The document showed trends that the number of pupils with SEND is increasing and so is the number of pupils with SEND in mainstream schools – continuing patterns seen since 2017.

So, what does this look like in the classroom?

In many cases, pupils with SEND are able to cope and thrive in a mainstream school environment, nevertheless teachers are still able to make small adjustments to make the school experience more comfortable and engaging, which can benefit both SEND and non-SEND pupils. Adaptations could look like, creating a quiet area for those who need to get away from loud, busy environments, creating a visual routine in the classroom to help students manage expectations throughout the day or by planning interactive activities that approach topics in a different way.

Teaching assistants are valuable in classrooms with SEND students too, to provide smaller group or one-to-one support. They can give further explanations on tasks, help with behaviour management, and support the teacher to create a fun and engaging learning environment for everyone.

Other support staff are also available for those pupils who need more dedicated time. Often, they provide one-to-one support to help with communication, social skills and other requirements specific to that pupil. Being able to support pupils this way enables them to experience and embrace the classroom environment, but with the right assistance that they flourish.

Having experienced and passionate SEND staff in your school will help you provide the best education to your pupils. If you need to recruit further support for your pupils, we have plenty of qualified and experienced SEND teachers and support staff including roles such as autism support workers, behavioural support assistants or classroom assistants.

Why not give us a call today to discuss your requirements? Our dedicated recruitment consultants are ready to help you with all your staffing needs. Contact your local branch today.