Secondary teacher becoming a primary Sendco - can this happen?

[Rufus27]

Have over 20 years' successful secondary teaching experience, the majority of which is teaching children with SEN in a mainstream setting. SEN has always been my passion so have voluntarily supported the Senco with mentoring, ECHP applications, PEP meetings, oversight of literacy interventions etc.

Love what I do, but have increasingly preferred working with lower school rather than the older students. This, combined with the fact that I have a young DS so have been reading more about EYFS/primary teaching, has made me feel I would be more suited to a primary setting than secondary.

Have just seen a part time primary Senco post advertised (no teaching) which I'd love to apply for, but am not sure whether a) I'd even get an interview and b) if I did get an interview, would my skills and experience transfer effectively - or would it just be too steep a learning curve? Would I be totally lost when it came to data analysis and assessment indicators (which would be different to those used at secondary level).

I can be a perfectionist (typical teacher) and would only want to do the job if I knew I could be effective and successful in the role. Is this possible? Did you or anyone you know make this transition? What were the greatest hurdles you had to overcome? Would you do it again? Were you accepted by new colleagues and parents? Any advice appreciated.

• Happy to be told I am in Cloud Cuckoo Land!

Anyone?

I think it would be beneficial for you to get some experience teaching in a primary first. How familiar are you with implementing SEN interventions for EYFS/KS1?

I can't imagine tracking data would be a problem as data is data, but I can see there would be other hurdles.

You'd obviously have to get the masters level NASEN qualification within 3 years of being in role as well.

Thanks Rollon - Much appreciated. I am planning to do the qualification anyway, so that shouldnt be a problem (current school had agreed to support). My experience of non secondary interventions is limited and very much self-taught/researched, so I can see that would be problematic, as you suggest. I will see if I can do some volunteering at the local primary on my day off (am 0.8ft). I desperately want to make this move , but realistically, I know I will need more specific experience before applying.

I think it would be worth you doing a year or two teaching in primary rather than just volunteering. That would give you a good idea of the practicality of provision. If you've taught in a primary school, it would give you a far better idea about eg writing outcomes and provision for a child once you knew exactly how feasible that would be to implement. I think primary/secondary days and timetables are very different. A lot of the Senco job involves giving teachers practical advice about how to do x/y/z in their classroom. If you've not ever had a primary class, I think it might be hard.

My first thought was 'would they have me teaching?' as I am not primary trained. However, thinking about it, most of the children I teach are working on the (equivalent of) P scales or levels 1-3 in English, so it wouldnt be such a contrast (compared to the level most secondary teachers are used to). Emotionally, a number of my students are functioning at KS1 ages (or below) so again, the difference wouldnt be so great. I have also done a lot of training in attachment disorders/FAS in primary aged children (am an adoptive mum) which might be of use too? Guess I need to see it as a long term project. Have decided to contact our county SEND adviser today and see what she suggests.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond. Really appreciated.