Teacher Training for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
If you are passionate about supporting children with additional needs to develop and thrive, our specialist SEND training routes will enable you to complete your training in a special school and develop the skills to teach diverse learners effectively.
PGCE SEND
Our PGCE SEND is grounded in current educational practices, the course focuses on fostering inclusive environments, understanding the complexities of SEND, and implementing evidence-based strategies to enhance learning outcomes. It will develop your subject knowledge and teaching skills, so you'll be better equipped to adapt your lessons to different contexts and learners with varying abilities. The PGCE also leads to 60 master's level credits.
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or international Qualified Teacher Status (iQTS)
QTS is the professional qualification required by the DfE to teach in state-funded maintained schools in England. iQTS is the equivalent international award and holders are automatically awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which certifies you to teach in state-maintained schools in England should you wish to.
Mainstream placement
Your QTS/iQTS award from the DfE is not specific to SEND, so you will be required to complete your second school placement in a mainstream setting.
SEND Specialist Teacher Training Routes
Postgraduate teacher apprenticeship plus PGCE SEND
The postgraduate apprenticeship route is a nationally recognised work-base route to QTS. The PGCE SEND offers apprentices the opportunity to specialise in SEND.
PGCE with QTS: SEND (Employed)
This course certifies trainees to teach in state-maintained schools in England, while employed in SEND schools.
PGCE with iQTS: SEND
This course enables trainee teachers to gain iQTS and study for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education while in employment or on placement in special schools outside England.
PGCE with QTS: SEND (Tuition Fee)
This course certifies trainees to teach in state-maintained schools in England, while on unsalaried placement in SEND schools.
FAQs
Information for SEND schools
Find out how our SEND focus courses can help you develop and retain your staff.
Already a qualified teacher?
Our MA Education offers a SEND Specialist pathway.
Just looking for QTS?
If you have a degree and at least two years of teaching experience, you could gain QTS without further study through our assessment only route.
No degree?
If you are working in a school, our Foundation Degree in Professional Practice for Teaching Assistants could be your next step.