Education Authority (Northern Ireland)
Teacher - Special Educational Needs
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Teacher - Special Educational Needs
# Teacher - Special
Job Title: Teacher - Special
Reports To: Principal
About the Role
This role operates under the Teachers’ (Terms and Conditions of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987, Schedule 3, Regulation 5, encompassing the professional duties outlined for a teacher engaged in a special school setting. The role requires adherence to legal frameworks, equality legislation, and the promotion of safeguarding and inclusion.
Key Objectives:
- Deliver high-quality education to pupils with special educational needs (SEN), including severe learning difficulties.
- Support social and emotional well-being, foster positive behaviour, and promote equality of opportunity.
- Collaborate with parents, colleagues, and external specialists to meet the needs of the diverse pupil cohort.
Professional Duties
Core Responsibilities
- Teaching:
- Plan, prepare, and deliver stimulating lessons tailored to individual pupil needs.
- Set, mark, and assess pupil work, monitoring progress and attainment.
- Student Engagement & Well-being:
- Promote positive behaviour; affirm restorative practices and inclusive environments.
- Provide career advice, pastoral support, and guidance to pupils and families.
- Reporting & Assessment:
- Maintain accurate records of pupil progress, SEN requirements, and safeguarding concerns.
- Support public examinations, including preparation, assessment, and supervision.
- Professional Support & Development:
- Participate in staff training, CPD (Continuous Professional Development), and curriculum development.
- Offer advice on teaching methods, materials, and pastoral strategies.
- Discipline & Safety:
- Uphold safeguarding protocols and maintain self-directed discipline policies.
- Supervise pupils during school hours, assemblies, and extracurricular activities.
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Administrative & Team Commitments
- Curriculum & Management:
- Assist in teacher selection, induction, and professional development.
- Coordinate teamwork, manage teaching workloads, and oversee deployment of support staff (where applicable).
- Time Commitments:
- Teaching Days/Hours: Available for classroom teaching for no more than 190 days annually (of 195 total work days) or 25 hours/week in primary/special schools.
- Staff Cover: Available to cover classes almeno than a supply teacher if required under exception clauses (e.g., long-term or prearranged absences).
- Out-of-Hours Engagement:
- Breaks: Mandatory 30-minute breaks for standard schools, extended 30-minute break for nursery settings.
- Travel: Time outside school premises for lesson preparation and marking does not count towards the teaching hour limit.
Requirements
1. Essential Criteria
Qualifications & Registration
✔ Hold a recognised teaching qualification for Northern Ireland grant-aided schools. ✔ Registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI).
Experience & Skills
🔹 Minimum of 1 year of demonstrable experience in:
- Using effective classroom strategies for children with SEN across all abilities.
- Teaching pupils with severe learning difficulties in Foundation/Key Stage 1/2, within a special school setting (last 6 years).
- Delivering adapted curricula for pupils with SEN.
- Collaborating with a range of specialists to individualise support.
- Using specialist equipment/techniques to meet SEN needs.
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Knowledge (Interview Stage)
📌 Curriculum Knowledge: Northern Ireland curriculum framework. 📌 Safeguarding: Understanding of safeguarding and child protection policies. 📌 SEN & Assessment: SEND Code of Practice application, inclusive learning strategies. 📌 Tech: Usage of digital tools/tablet technologies in education.
Skills
- Proven classroom management and inspirational teaching skills.
- Ability to adapt strategies to meet diverse learning needs.
- Teamwork & collaboration, with pupils, parents, and staff.
- Self-motivation for ongoing professional development & self-improvement.
2. Desirable Criteria
- Experience working with pupils with autism.
- Experience coordinating/curricular aid (assistant curricular work).
- Team Teach-accredited in positive behavioural handling strategies.
- Longer-term teaching experience (preferably ≥2 years).
Additional Notes & Legal Obligations
- Equality & Dignity: Compliance with the Equalities Act and good relations principles.
- Pre-Employment Checks: Applicants will undergo Enhanced DisclosureChecked (cost borne by candidate).
- Staff Flexibility: Responsibilities may evolve per school needs, subject to regular review.
Apply for the opportunity to join the Education Authority—an equal opportunities employer.**
(Application instructions Per Section 1 require clear mapping to each criterion.)
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