When it comes to facilitating the needs of children that require special education, regular education may not be a suitable option for them. So, read on as we look closer at how these special schools can aid with their educational foundation and look at the support assistant jobs if this is something you wish to pursue.
For most parents, selecting a school is a huge responsibility and if you live in England then this may seem like an even bigger challenge for you. Up to 50% of children within the UK alone require an EHC plan or an SEN statement are successfully educated in regular secondary and primary schools. Have you ever thought about how you can work with them to provide full support and the best for their delicate needs?
What Is a Special School?
These are an educational institution that fosters the right environment for children with disabilities or special educational needs. While there are tons of special schools they fill in the gaps that are created by regular schools. Hence, they meet the needs of these children as long as their parents have agreed to enrol them.
According to Alex Grady the Educational Development Officer of the Special Needs Association, some parents require these types of schools for their children. Roughly 2% of children at the required school age will need to attend a special school that is suited for them. However, the majority of children still tend to have an EHC plan or the statement.
In order for children to be accepted into these schools, they need to be properly diagnosed or identified as having a disability or a learning difficulty. When these are met, only then will they be allowed to enrol into a special school.
Types of Special Schools
Thus far, there are several schools located within each area. Some fall under the state, some are independent and the remaining are academies. Depending on the situation, students as early as age three can be admitted where they may stay until the age of 19. However, if the need arises, they will be able to stay until 25.
Some schools contain assessment nurseries that cater to their needs. These nurseries tend to determine what they really need. Others will also have what is known as Early Years classes that are located within the setting of a special school.
According to the specialism of the government, there are four broad types that were designed according to the needs of these children:
- Learning and cognition
- Interaction and communication
- Mental, emotional, and social health
- Physics and sensory needs
While some schools may seem quite generic, they do in fact help with an array of special needs. The previously mentioned areas are inclusive while others tend to focus on particular ones. However, there are also some that work with subcategories such as speech and language schools.
Hence, selecting a school is quite challenging. Some of the more mainstream schools will have resources or units that children can integrate with to ensure that they have everything that they need. This allows them to mix with others in their peer group.
What Can Special Schools Offer That Mainstream Schools Can’t?
The main difference is that there is a higher ratio of staff to students in a special school. This is mainly due to the fact that there are a ton of students that require proper supervision. Additionally, the teachers in a special school were trained to deal with the needs of your children while those in a regular school may not be.
There are also tons of care and teaching assistants. Their main objective is to provide adequate support to teachers as they facilitate the learning process while caring for them. However, it should still be noted that students may not necessarily receive that one on one support.