6 April 2023
Special education needs (SEN) teaching assistant and SEN learning support officer working in alternative provision
In recent years, there has been an increase in young people being educated in Alternative Provisions (APs). This is to enable children that have found mainstream schooling difficult to “still fulfil their potential and give them the life chances they deserve”.
That’s why Pathway are constantly looking for kind and caring people to work as teaching assistant and SEN learning support officer to work in our partner SEND (special education needs) and alternative provision (AP) schools.
We’ve created a helpful guide to Alternative Provision, outlining what it is, why it’s important, and why you could find your calling in this form of education.
What is an alternative provision?
Alternative provision is nothing new in the education sector. Simply put, alternative provision is ‘education arranged by local authorities for pupils who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education’.
There are many forms of Alternative Provision:
- Pupil Referral Unit (PRU)
- Sports Facilities
- Outdoor Learning Facilities
- Vocational & Practical Courses
- Therapeutic Farms
- Hospital Schools
- Forest Schools
The most prevalent form of AP is PRU, which essentially are smaller schools designed to accommodate students who aren’t able to attend mainstream schools, with small classes and more vocational based lessons.
Why is Alternative Provision Important?
AP is important because it ensures no child is left behind, and grants children who don’t have the opportunity to attend mainstream schools a better chance at succeeding. AP possesses a symbiotic quality, for not only does it benefit the students involved, but also the educators.
AP teaching enables teachers to break from the traditional form of education seen in mainstream schools, it allows teachers to adopt unique and tailored teaching strategies for the students who need them most.
A job as a special education needs (SEN) teaching assistant or SEN learning support officer at an Alternative Provision
AP is a completely unique form of education, suitable for candidates currently outside of the teaching profession. special education needs (SEN) teaching assistant or SEN learning support officer do not have to have worked in schools before. It’s all about transferrable skills, so if you have effective inter-personal skills and care about the next generation, becoming a special education needs (SEN) teaching assistant or SEN learning support officer may be the calling for you.
A job in an alternative provision with Pathway Education provides competitive salaries (additional £2000 SEND allowance) and career progression opportunities.
If you are looking for a career in special education needs (SEN) teaching assistant or SEN learning support officer register with Pathway Education today.
Alternatively email candiate@pathwayeducation.uk