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Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teacher

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Primary Secondary Post-16

Special Educational Needs (SEN) teachers work with children and young people who require additional support due to learning difficulties, disabilities, or behavioural challenges. Their role involves adapting lessons, developing individual education plans (IEPs), and working closely with parents, carers, and other professionals to create a supportive learning environment. SEN teachers often work in mainstream schools, special schools, or units within mainstream settings. Patience, empathy, and strong communication skills are essential for success in this career. SEN teachers play a crucial role in helping pupils reach their full potential and make progress both academically and socially.

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teacher

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

SEN teachers in the UK typically earn between £28,000 and £48,000 per year, depending on experience and location.

Number of Positions

There are over 35,000 SEN teaching positions in schools across the United Kingdom.

Work Hours

Most SEN teachers work around 37 hours per week, following the school term schedule.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Autism Specialist Teacher

Works specifically with children and young people who have autism, helping them develop social, communication and learning skills in a school or specialist unit.

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SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)

Manages and coordinates support for pupils with special educational needs within a school, ensuring they receive appropriate help and tailored learning plans.

Speech and Language Support Teacher

Focuses on helping pupils with communication or language difficulties, often working alongside speech and language therapists in mainstream or special schools.

Gain Relevant Qualifications

Complete GCSEs or Equivalent

Achieve at least grade 4 or C in English and maths GCSES, as these are essential for teacher training.

Most teacher training providers will require you to have at least GCSEs in English and maths at grade 4 or C or above. If you wish to teach at the primary level, a science GCSE is also usually required. If you do not already have these, you can study for them at college or through adult education centres.

Obtain a Degree

Earn a bachelor’s degree, ideally in education or a subject relevant to special needs.

You can either complete a Bachelor of Education (BEd), a BA/BSc with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), or a degree in any subject followed by a postgraduate teaching qualification. Some universities offer degrees specifically focused on SEN or inclusive education, which will give you valuable knowledge and experience.

Teacher Training and Gaining Experience

Complete Initial Teacher Training (ITT)

Apply for and complete ITT through a PGCE, School Direct, or similar route to gain QTS.

Initial Teacher Training is essential for all aspiring teachers in the UK. You can apply for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), School Direct, or other routes like Teach First. Choose a programme that offers experience or modules in SEN if possible, as this will be directly relevant to your future career.

Gain Classroom Experience

Undertake placements or paid work in mainstream and SEN schools to build practical experience.

During your training, you will have placements in schools, but you can also volunteer or work as a teaching assistant in an SEN setting. This hands-on experience is valuable for understanding the needs of pupils and learning how to adapt your teaching methods.

Specialise in SEN and Secure a Role

Pursue SEN Qualifications and Training

Take additional courses or gain qualifications in SEN, such as the National Award for SEN Coordination.

Once you are a qualified teacher, you can specialise by taking further training in areas such as autism, dyslexia, or communication difficulties. The National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) is a popular postgraduate qualification for teachers who want to become SENCOs (Special Educational Needs Coordinators).

Apply for SEN Teaching Positions

Search and apply for SEN teacher roles in mainstream or specialist schools.

You can look for jobs in mainstream schools with SEN units, special schools, or academies. Highlight your SEN experience and training in your applications and be prepared to discuss your approach to supporting pupils with additional needs during interviews.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teacher. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

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Sample Qualifications

The role of a SEN Teacher closely aligns with that of a Special educational needs (SEN) teacher in the list, as both focus on supporting students with special educational needs. They require specialised qualifications and training to develop tailored learning plans and manage behavioural or learning difficulties effectively within the classroom context.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University

Most teaching courses include options on teaching children with special educational needs.

Undergraduate degree

You can do an undergraduate degree that leads to qualified teacher status (QTS), for example:

  • Bachelor of Education (BEd)
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) with QTS
  • Bachelor of Science (BSc) with QTS

Postgraduate certificate

If you already have a bachelor's degree without qualified teacher status, you can complete a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE). This is a common choice and can be done at university or through a training programme based in a school.

More teacher training options

There are more training options if you want to change career or specialise in teaching certain subjects.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
  • GCSE science at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) for primary school teaching
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

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Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Teacher Level 6 Apprenticeship, if you already have a degree.

You could take training to complete a Teacher for the Sensory Impaired Level 7 Apprenticeship. This is equivalent to postgraduate study.

These can take between 1 and 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths
  • GCSE science at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) for primary school teaching
  • a degree for a teaching apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as a teaching assistant and do a part time degree. You could then move onto a postgraduate teaching course to qualify as a teacher.

Volunteering

You'll find it helpful to get some experience of working with young people with special educational needs or disabilities. 

You could volunteer at a school or work at a youth club or on a holiday scheme.

You can also find volunteering opportunities through Do IT. 

Direct Application

If you're a qualified teacher, you can get extra training to teach students with special educational needs. You can find a course through your local education authority. 

Many local education authorities offer courses for teachers who want to do this.

More Information

Registration

Career tips

You can attend a Get Into Teaching event before you apply to get advice about teaching, funding and the different training routes available. You can attend events in person and online.

Professional and industry bodies

You could become a member of the National Association for Special Educational Needs to help with professional development.

Further information

You can find out more about teaching students with special educational needs from Get Into Teaching and the National Association for Special Educational Needs.

You can also search for jobs through the Teaching Vacancies service.

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