special school teachers

[SpecialCircumstances]

Hi, just wondering if there are many other special school/special needs teachers on here? I've just moved from a base in mainstream to teaching in a school for children with complex communication and multi-sensory needs. Loving it but constantly exhausted!

I did a 2 month placement in a ss, I loved it but was exhausted too! Massive pros and the odd con but I felt it was more meaningful and suited to my caring nature. Are you loving it enough to stay?

I'm not in a special school, but I am in a specialist setting. We have children with a wide range of needs and it is never boring! Much better work/life balance too

Definitely not planning on moving back. I love the freedom- think of a half decent idea and you get told to just give it a go! I think when I'm more settled I should have a better balance!

I'm one and I LOVE it. Best job in the world

Yes, much more freedom to do what will work for the children. Great job!

Yes I love it too and could never teach in mainstream again.

Agree about the work/life balance.

Biggest difference for me is managing a big LSA team! I'm supernumerary most of the time which is also a shock!

Yes, I have six. We work cheek by jowl in challenging circumstances so it can be... erm.. interesting. Most of the time it is amazing though and the feeling of being a slick team is great.

Is anyone still about?

I'm just making the move from primary to post-16 PMLD provision. There's nothing in place at all in terms of planning or assessment.

What do you all use for tracking? Have you made your own grids? Are there any assessment tools (like 2simple in Early Years that you use on the iPad) available?

I'm really excited but pretty daunted.

We mostly use p-levels, the Victoria msi curriculum and the Welsh gov released 'routed to learning which is prettty good

Thanks special, I've started devising something based on routes for learning.