to be saddened that nobody wants to apply for this teaching job?

[DisAstrophe]

Dc's school advertised for a Special Needs teacher but hasn't been able to recruit.

Dc attends a special needs "provision" (new word for unit!) at a mainstream primary. It is a great school - outstanding according to OFSTED. The Head is fantastic and the whole school has a great ethos of inclusion (whether the kid is G&T, has ESOL/SEN etc).

A fab school in a good residential area should surely attract loads of teachers?

Perhaps it is because there is lots of paperwork involved but I do feel sad that so few mainstream teachers want to specialise in SEN.

They have probably had loads of applicants but no one was suitable?

Agree that the right candidate may not have come along. If this is the case, it's more sensible to hold interviews and not make an appointment than it is to fill the job for the sake of it.

Maybe they haven't liked any of the applicants so far.

I taught children with SEN in Ireland and loved every minute but I can't teach it here as my qualifications are not considered up to scratch. I can teach mainstream though (I just can't get a permanent job).

The training for SEN as part of the PGCE tends to be absolutely appalling, so a lot of teachers don't feel able to do it.

How long have they been advertising?

The school I'm a Governor at gets inundated with applicants for most positions they advertise so I find that a bit strange.

There is a shortage of qualified candidates in the UK. Special Needs teachers are even on the list of positions for which International candidates can apply and be given work visas.

I got the impression that they didn't even get any applications but I may not have the full story.

Agree with those saying that they should only appoint the right candidate. But I worry that there just aren't enough teachers specialising in SEN to go round.

CailinDana - wouldn't schools take you on and help you through the qualification process?

Worraliberty - not sure how long they've been advertising

If it's outer london no applications for leadership or specialist posts for some areas, last two jobs I was the only applicant. We're only overwhelmed for NQT/CTposts

Also SEN is particularly difficult now, as a SENCO I'm laughing for jobs. You now need a masters level qualification, which few have, plus funding for new applicants has been withdrawn. Couple that with the fact many SEN teachers/ SENCOs are nearing retirement as it often attracts teachers later in their careers.

Unfortunately no, Dis, it's more to do with the Irish system than the British one to be honest, I would have to go home and do a year of teaching there in order to gain a certain level of qualification that would be recognised here. The only other option would be to do the PGCE again and there's absolutely no way on Earth I'm doing that!

My oldest is in a sen school on the whole his teachers are young, enthusiastic and brilliant with the children and young adults or maybe i am just getting to the age where anyone under 35 seems young to be.

ghoulelocks that is a very interesting though worrying explanation. Makes me wonder why the government provides a bursary for "shortage" subjects like Maths and languages but not for SEN teachers?

Cailin - such a shame - you are obviously needed!

DD wants to specialise in SEN but won't qualify for another 2 years yet. She is hugely frustrated by the lack of teaching and knowledge around all aspects of SEN.

www.education.gov.uk/b00201451/sen-skills/advanced-skills

Oh they did fund some this year, but now all funded places full. So 9000 funded in total, for nearly 19000 primary schools and 3000 secondaries and however many nurseries etc. which all need all their own SENCO. Some of those 9000 will fail/ drop out etc.

I work in a,special school and we're practically beating teachers away when we advertise. Over 60 applied for 5 jobs last time.

cantsple excellent that your dc is so well-supported. What part of the country do you live in - I wonder if that makes a difference?

hell yay - you must be very proud of your dd

ghoule not nearly enough but at least there is some training going on.

Guess it's all on area cocolepew, we either get no applications or nonsense applications mainly. Neighbouring school last week advertised for inclusion manager, deputy and SEN teacher, 1 applicant applied (for deputy).

cocolepew - I wonder why that is? Do you think perhaps it is the area or because as teacher in a unit the job is different - more paperwork?

DisAstrophe I am in west sussex and my son is in a sen high school which caters for 11 to 19 year olds.

I don't know but we are in N.Ireland and,I dont think there are many jobs but a lot of teachers are loooking to get into our school once they have did a placement in it.

From what I hear Ireland and Wales are very very difficult places to get teaching jobs generally with 100+ applicatants for posts. There are a lot of Irish teachers in London hoping to return if they get work back home.

It seems that SEN job plus greater London location is not a happy combination.

Still hope somebody marvellous applies when they advertise again for the job

H would take it! He teaches SEN and loves it. But it does seem to take a special type of person - ie someone with more patience and tolerance than me! He specifially chose to go into SEN rather than mainstream. And the paperwork is scary!

I think other posters have hit the nail on the head, OP. It's less a shortage in people willing to do the job than a shortage of candidates with the exact qualifications needed. My sis volunteers in a brilliant SEN school in Glasgow, and the staff there have echoed your sentiments - how it seems like nobody wants to volunteer/work there. In many ways, I don't think it's made very easy for prospective teachers to find out how they go down the SEN route (in Scotland anyway). My sis didn't pass the interview for PGCE this year, got told she was too focused on SEN!