school support for special needs

[hmb]

I'm teaching my first lesson of the term with a class of 18 year 8 pupils today. Of these, 12 are on the special needs register, one is statemented, 7 are school action plus and the rest are school action. They have a wide range of different needs, some physical, some emotional, and some cognition/learning. I wait with baited breath to find out the level of support that I will be given to help to meet their disparate needs

Best of luck Hmb!

Well keep us posted won't you. Best of luck.

Guess what? None! They are a great class with some fabulous kids in there. They were well behaved and worked very hard. I did my best, but at the end of the leason I could have cried. These kids deserve and need the very best, with lots of support, and I couldn't do that for 18 kids with such different needs. Head of department has kicked up a fuss as the understanding was that if we formed a SN class we would be given the support. I just hope I can do better by them in the next lesson......they deserve so much better.

Hi Hmb,
At least you are doing a wonderful job?
Couldnt you send a note home to parents asking if they could volunteer a couple of hours a week to help out in their childrens class? Just a thought.

Thank you for your kind comments. sadly parental help will be near impossible as it is a secondary setting, in a science lab. So the person would have to have insurance cover and as an adult be vetted by the CRB. However, I have been told that as assistant will be given to us, and one of the Sixth formers has offered to help. The sixth former will be under my supervision, unlike an adult IYSWIM. This has restored my faith in human nature and will be very good for this class. It will make them feel very special and important to be working with one of the sixth form!