19th December 2014 1:00
By Blue Tutors
SEN reforms this year have brought about the biggest shake up in the last 30 years in provision for students with special needs.
Alongside the new title of SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), there is a shift towards parents having more control of financial support for children with SEND. This, coupled with newly -published advice from independent education consultant Adam Caller, suggests that there will be more opportunity for tutoring students with SEND, as an alternative or a supplement to other schooling options.
How, then, can tutors offer effective tuition to students with additional needs?
The advantage of tutoring as opposed to whole class teaching lies precisely in the one-to-one relationship that it affords. Tutors are able to get to know the pupil closely, looking at what drives them as well as any barriers to learning, and developing lessons and learning experiences that are specifically tailored to that student’s specific needs and abilities. Tutors working with students with SEND will draw out strengths and tackle areas for development with sensitivity, which is a skill as important as having a deep understanding of the subject.
As stated by Caller in his report, “A good private tutor can react in that moment to the situation, adapting teaching techniques to suit an individual child’s pattern of concentration, and ensure they fully understand the lesson before moving to the next.”
With the SEND umbrella now stretching from birth to 25 years old, tutors specialising in SEND provision may find themselves more in demand from students and parents requiring additional support for learning.