SEN schools

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Hello,

I’m thinking of applying to an SEN school.
Can anyone give me any advice of what to expect and how to know if I’d enjoy it and be happy there?

My current school I know I need to leave as there’s no support whatsoever so the SEN children struggle and are dysregulated and disruptive constantly so the rest of the class can’t learn either.
The TAs are burnt out so just ignore things and I’m trying to juggle teaching the whole class whilst being 1:1 for 1 child all the time and another child who is volatile and can be violent. I’m just on my knees and I love supporting the SEN but I just can’t do it all anymore.

How do I know if this is right for me or not?

Thanks all

You won't know until you try as it is so different. I wanted to try it but it it was daunting, how do I support these young people with such complex needs? But I made the leap and I wouldn't go back. There is likely to be children in crisis all the time, we wouldn't call it violence as it is communication. SEN schools will be set up for this, there will be training, you will feel supported when this happens and you won't feel like you have to continue putting demands on pupils when they are not ready which will decrease those moments of dysregulation. The paperwork is immense (but in my school we are given time for it and I don't mind it) and can be complicated, you will have to be resilient as you learn. Tough skinned.

@Traceability thanks so much for replying. There’s a part of me which thinks I’ll love it but I also don’t want to be rubbish at it and not be able to give what they need.
I think it’s that scary thought that I just don’t know. I looked around and the staff were so lovely and one person in SLT said they wondered what they’d done when they first moved over.
There’s a mainstream job I could go for too but I don’t know if I just need a change, a new challenge and to do things differently.

Do many people realise it’s not for them and leave? Or if they’ve made that decision is it usually the right one?

People do leave, but I found it was more so due to paperwork and meetings. Are you strong in writing paperwork (after learning how to do it of course) l, would you feel confident in chairing meeting with multiple outside agencies? If so, then go for it.

@Traceability I’m good with paperwork generally and wording things and writing policies and reports is something I’m good at. But obviously paperwork at this end is entirely different and I’m not a SENCO.

Do the class teachers chair the meetings then? Would I know the pupils really well and their needs etc so well that I’d just be discussing them together? When do the meetings tend to be - during or after school?