Teacher assistant partnerships in special schools

The number of assistants in schools in Ireland and Northern Ireland has increased significantly over the years in response to changes in educational policy and although the role of the assistant has been the focus of many research studies, ambiguity still surrounds the role.  There is also a notable gap in the research on the …
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Alternative Education Provision (NI)

In recent years a number of different forms of Alternative Education Provision (AEP) have emerged in Northern Ireland and three of these were the focus of a major study conducted for the Department of Education (DENI, 2007) by Rosemary Kilpatrick, Claire McCartan and Penny McKeown with Tony Gallagher. The three forms considered in the study were the …
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English as an Additional Language

Increasingly schools in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are becoming multi-cultural and many of our pupils are beginning school without English being their first language.  The growth in numbers of pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL) has been significant over recent years as the Northern Ireland figures below exemplify.  2001-2002: 1366 pupils with …
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About Miscellaneous Needs

It is often quoted that everyone has a special educational need at some time in their life. For some this may be very temporary and mild, such as during a period of illness. For others it could be a lifelong condition. Below is a selection of ‘special needs’ which do not fit easily into other …
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Alternative Education

Suspension and Expulsion (NI) Suspension and Expulsion (RoI) Minority Groups Traveller Education (RoI) English as a Second or Additional Language Refugee Children


Bullying

A new problem? Although bullying is not new, the systematic study of the nature and incidence of school bullying is often considered to have begun as recently as the 1970s in Scandinavia with the work of Dan Olweus, seen by many as the ‘father’ of research into bullying. Towards a definition… Despite three decades of …
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Parental Separation

Many pupils experience the break up of families but those with special educational needs may find it more difficult to express their feelings. It is particularly important that those who have verbal weakness are given another means of seeking help. It is important though that you get parental consent when beginning to work with the …
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Depression in Children and Young People

Research shows that approximately one in ten children in the UK are known to suffer from severe psychological disorders such as depression, obsessive thoughts, anxiety and self-harm. It is suggested that teachers and schools can play a key role in supporting these children as around 40% of them don’t receive and kind of specialist help. …
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Children in Care/Looked After Children

Children who are fostered or are living in residential care away from their natural parents are among the groups most likely to underachieve and to have special educational needs. In some local authorities schools are required to have drawn up policies to address this issue. It is likely that one teacher will be designated to …
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Bereavement

Teachers often have to deal with the special needs of children who are dealing with a bereavement, especially if the child(ren) do not show obvious signs of distress. It may be best to tell pupils of the death of a member of staff or pupil, just before the end of the day so that they …
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