The aim of the research project is to investigate: The knowledge of disablist bullying by student teachers’ in both jurisdictions, The confidence of student teachers’ in both jurisdictions in dealing with disablist bullying. Looking at priorities for North/South Initial Teacher Education in moving towards improving the preparation of teachers to address effectively the issue of …
Read More Disablist bullying: An investigation of student teachers’ knowledge and confidence

Guidance and Assessment Materials for Children with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties Quest for learning is the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment’s (CCEA) first assessment tool and comprehensive guidance materials to support the teaching and learning of Northern Ireland pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD).  It was launched at the Dunadry …
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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 …
Read More Alternative Education Provision (NI)

This section of the site has been set up as a resource for students and new teachers in mainstream classes to further their knowledge and help them understand and provide for the special needs of many children in their classes. Your ideas and opinions are important to us and we would appreciate your suggestions for …
Read More Supporting Special Educational Needs in Initial Teacher Training

1. Are some children with special needs not  a danger to a computer? I teach a Year 1 class, many of whom have severe learning difficulties. Very few are even toilet trained and I know that if I let them loose on a computer it would be broken or smashed within minutes. I realise that …
Read More ICT and SEN: Questions and Answers

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 …
Read More English as an Additional Language

If you have a pupil in your class who has medical needs then it is important that you have a thorough knowledge of the school’s policy on administration of medicines or aid.  Adherence to this is vital.  You might like to take your Union’s advice on this. Even if the school policy does not normally …
Read More Medical Conditions: a brief introduction

Resources for Deaf/hearing Impaired Children Books for Teachers Professional Development Courses For Teachers Resource Books/Text Books Software Teaching Packs Videos Websites Word Games for Children with SLD(Dyslexia) Listening Activities for Young Children with SLD(Dyslexia) Brain Gym – an approach to physical exercise which some people claim can help learning for all children. These articles are …
Read More Resources & Help

Class Teacher Classroom/Special Needs Assistant (NI) Classroom/Special Needs Assistant (RoI) Learning Support Teacher Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) Paediatrician School Management Educational Psychologist (NI) Educational Psychologist (RoI) Parents Occupational Therapist Resource Teacher Physiotherapist Visiting Teacher/Peripatetic Service Speech and Language Therapist

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 …
Read More About Miscellaneous Needs