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Special educational needs (SEN) teacher

Special educational needs (SEN) teachers work with children and young people who need extra support.

£24,500 to £70,750 average per year

37 per week

1. Entry requirements

To become a special educational needs teacher, you'll need:

GCSEs (A* to C) in English and Maths or equivalent qualifications
GCSE science (A* to C) to teach in primary schools
passes in numeracy and literacy skills tests
some school experience to support your application
enhanced background checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service

If you have a degree, you can train through a postgraduate teacher training course. There are 2 main routes: school-led and university-led. Both provide you with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed for teaching, but are delivered differently.

If you don't have a degree, you can qualify by taking a course that awards qualified teacher status (QTS).

Depending on the route you take, you could get a salary, a bursary, or a student loan.

Get Into Teaching has more information on funding.

Most independent schools prefer qualified teachers, but it's not essential.

To teach pupils with hearing impairment, vision impairment or multi-sensory impairment, you’ll need further specialist qualifications. Mandatory qualifications: specialist teachers has more information.

2. Skills required

You'll need:

planning and organisational skills
creativity and ability to adapt to changing situations
excellent communication skills
the ability to manage classes and deal with challenging behaviour

3. What you'll do

You'll work with children who have:

general learning difficulties
specific learning difficulties like dyslexia
physical disabilities
hearing or visual impairment
challenging emotions or behaviour

You could work in a mixed class, a special class in a mainstream school, a special needs school, a pupil referral unit or a further education college. You may teach whole classes, individual pupils or small groups, often supported by a teaching assistant.

Your day-to-day duties could include:

teaching national curriculum subjects
helping pupils develop self-confidence, independence and abilities
preparing lessons and teaching materials
marking and assessing work
working with medical staff, therapists and psychologists
talking to parents and carers about a child's progress
attending meetings, statutory reviews and training workshops
organising outings, social activities and sporting events

4. Salary

Starter: £24,500 to £35,000, increasing to £40,000 in inner London

Experienced: £38,500 to £41,250, increasing to £50,000 in inner London

Highly Experienced: £43,000 to £63,250, increasing to £70,750 in inner London

These figures are a guide. They include the SEN allowances of £2,085 to £4,116.

Your salary will depend on where you're based, class size, and your responsibilities.

Get Into Teaching has more information on salaries.

5. Working hours, patterns and environment

You'll usually work 37 hours a week for 39 weeks a year, split over 3 school terms.

You'll spend extra time planning lessons, marking work and taking part in school activities.

6. Career path and progression

You could become the SEN co-ordinator or head of department. At a special needs school, you could become deputy head or headteacher.