First time teaching in SEND? Here’s my advice.
Author: Amber Witko
During Amber’s gap year with Yipiyap, she discovered her passion for supporting SEND learners. In this blog, she shares both her experience and some practical tutoring tips,
SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) is a term that encompasses a wide variety of learning difficulties. Working with SEND pupils can be challenging, but is an incredibly rewarding experience.
In my opinion, these students can sometimes be overlooked. It’s so important to remember that they can still perform well academically, when given the right tools and support!
They key is to be adaptable - you may have to go through your explanations more slowly, or revisit a topic more than you usually would, or change your approach entirely. As tutors, it’s our job to problem-solve and do what’s best for our students - and most importantly, not give up!
Keeping an open mind
I was immediately paired with SEND pupils on my very first day as a Yipiyap tutor, and it was daunting, to say the least! Working with these students, you meet such a variety of people, each with a different set of circumstances, and different ways thinking. As such, you need to open your mind and try to understand the way they process information; this will help you tailor sessions and resources that suit them. Time helps too - as the pupils get used to you, and you get used to them, your days will become so much easier!
Understanding individual needs
Spending time at the beginning to scope out the different students will help you get a bigger picture of who they are and what kind of support they need. Much of my work has been aiding students with their reintroduction to school after extended periods off. We would cover content across all the core subjects. When working with these learners, creating a calm and comfortable environment is so important, as this can encourage their permanent return to school!
The importance of scaffolding
When delivering sessions to SEND learners, it’s paramount to scaffold work in a way that will actually help them. Giving them an A4 sheet of text is going to get you nowhere. Once you understand how your individual students learn, you can structure your resources in a way that benefits them.
For example, try to avoid giving large chunks of text and only include what they really need to know. I personally found that mini whiteboards were a godsend when supporting students within the classroom. They help condense the information from the teacher’s board, into a less overwhelming format for the pupil.
My top tips for working with SEND pupils
Speak to staff: Ask questions to those who have prior experience supporting your students - they’ll definitely have some advice for you.
Trial and error: Some sessions might not go as planned, especially at the beginning, but that’s OK! Failure is important as it helps you figure out new ways to approach your teaching.
Utilize SEND training: Take advantage of online training courses or the training available at your school. If you’re a Yipiyap working in SEND, head over to the Skills Hub and read our articles on SEND. You can also book in a one-to-one with Jasper to have more specialised chat. Contact your Regional Director (RD) for the link.
Be patient on off days: Sometimes students will have days where they struggle more or just won’t focus. It’s not your fault! Stay consistent and patient.
Safeguarding: Make sure you’re extra familiar with safeguarding procedures at the school you’re working in, and with Yipiyap if you’re one of our tutors!
“Being a Yipiyap tutor has made me discover a passion for supporting SEND learners that I never knew I had. ”
Finding reward in the challenge!
All in all, SEND pupils are one of the most challenging but rewarding groups of learners to work with, and I loved that working with them was such a big part of my role in school. Being a Yipiyap tutor has made me discover a passion for supporting SEND learners that I never knew I had. They are some of the most endearing pupils you will ever meet, and they absolutely have the potential to do well. Just remember—you’re not alone in helping them learn! You’ve got this!
If you’re interested in becoming a Yipiyap tutor, whether working with SEND pupils or in mainstream education, click here to apply or find out more about our opportunities.
