NQT Year in Special Needs School

[Charlie679]

Hi,
So I've just completed my PGCE in Primary / SEN and got a job in a secondary SEN school for children with profound and multiple learning difficulties.
I have a KS3 class but I'm yet to find out what P levels they are working towards. I think from possible messages passed on I may have some children with autism and possibly some physically disabled children too but nothing has been confirmed yet.

I'm quite nervous about the first couple of days and wondered if anyone had any tips or ideas of what to do to get to know my class.
All I've really thought of so far is maybe doing a sensory story but I'm not sure what's a good one to do!

Any ideas of activities or tips for the first day would be gratefully appreciated!!

And anything you think is a must in your classroom!

Thank you! xx

Ask the school if they have any policies around how the classroom should be set up etc eg do they all have the same visual timetable for the class and labels etc or not (some are moving towards a cohesive approach.) or rules around displays etc.

You may find your team has started making things for the classroom eg labels etc.

Sensory story sounds great! They may have some planning guidance for you or autumn topics. Sometimes new staff go in to plan the next term's topics? Sometimes there's a class hand over meeting to discuss the children. Obviously I don't know how all this has been affected this year but my own school has tried to do as much sent out on line.

Could you have a chat with the school to clarify all this?

Oh I'll ask my school about visual timelines & displays that hadn't crossed my mind! Thanks.

I have the LTP & MTP so I know what we're covered and I've been getting used to the curriculum... I'm hoping that I'll be able to go in at the end of term to discuss children and their needs, abilities etc but with everything going on, I'm not sure. Still awaiting confirmation on this!

Just not sure what are good activities / ice breakers I could do to get to know the students?

They often like to know things about you!

Take in some of your favourite things to talk about then open up the floor to them?

With asd it's often about setting up routines and ways you're going to work.

I think I used to either start with all about me and lots of pics about me and my house/ pets etc or a good story that we can do branch out activities relating to? Sensory story is a good idea, some fun and easy science and art experiments too?

If I was you I'd be asking to go in NOW (unpaid) and spend some time in school watching and learning from the other teachers. If you can spare the time you will find it so valuable.

Good luck!

Yes! That's a great idea.

Unless they panic about insurance.

We can't go in due to COVID measures otherwise I would most definitely be in there right now! :(