PGCE Special needs

The only one I could find on the GTTR website was one at Manchester Metropolitan University - Secondary English and Special Needs

Hey, I was thinking of doing this a while ago, although there aren't really any specialised pgce courses for special needs (not that I know of anyway) Some might be Primary PGCE special needs specialism etc but im not sure. I did some work experience at a special needs school and apparently you can just do a normal pgce to become a special needs teacher anyway. You then have the option to teach in 'normal' schools too then.

It might be a good idea to get some experience working with SEN pupils first though.

Yeah, i'd definately say that! You don't know if you you handle that environment until youve tried it

Hi,

I'm a student studying BA (Hons) Learning Disabilities Studies. I'm interested in going into teaching for special needs after this. I've heard of a PGCE in special needs, but I can't find much about this, does anyone know about this?

Hiya,

There is no right or wrong answer here since it all depends on the preference of the head teacher. I know NQTs working in special schools for SLD/PMLD kids, I know somebody training to be a teacher in a special school for people with physical disabilities (though all have learning disabilities, from moderate to severe). At the same time, I know a head teacher in an SLD/PMLD school who advises that applicants have at least 2-3 years mainstream experience, with additional SEN experience. Some only employ experienced special school teachers.

So yeah, it all depends on the school - there is no "fast track" since special school teaching has long been neglected in teacher training (whereas in the 1980s SEN PGCEs/Cert Eds were around).

The best think you could do, as mentioned, is (1) get some experience(whcih you say you have), and (2) read job adverts for SEN schools. I've seen some places wanting any willing teachers (i.e in East London), where there may be a shortage of willing candidates. If you are prepared to subscribe to something, like TES jobs,and move where ever when you get your PGCE, then being an NQT won't be a problem. I've seen jobs advertised in Devon that will allow NQTs apply, even though Devon is sooooo difficult to find a job for because they have an abundance of teacher training colleges/departments, and very few jobs since people don't want to move.

Don't get me wrong, it's not an easy thing to get into as an NQT, but it can and does happen. Just look out for the job and keep improving your CV.

Hope this helps.

Hi, thanks for your advice. It’s taken me a while to reply, but I was trying to get as much as information as I could, and I've just spoken to the Head Teacher at the Special School where I worked previously and He also gave similar advice. So really it’s not a case of where I need 2-3 years experience, it’s about finding the right school. He also spoke about looking into Graduate Teaching Programmes, which seems like a good idea too. Again He said there’s no PGCE for Special Needs in particular, but from what He was saying it seems possible to work in a Special School with any PGCE, yet I am still trying to find out as much as I can about this Special Needs PGCE as I now know some universities that do this course

I also have been looking for the same thing for ages, you really think they would have one for it wouldnt you?

The bridge in islington does sen pgce but doesn't count as qts