Today's news review welcomes the announcement that, for the first time, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will form part of the core learning for teachers, when they undertake their Initial Teacher Training (ITT).
Initial Teacher Training review – SEND training
During Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday 25 May, George Osborne confirmed that ITT will include a requirement that trainee teachers are trained to ensure they have an understanding of how to support pupils with SEND. The Education Secretary confirmed this on Twitter shortly after PMQs.
The Chancellor’s comments have been picked up by the Telegraph and the Daily Mail, with the news being welcomed widely by charities including the National Autistic Charity and Nasen.
The news comes ahead of the publication of a report due to be published in the summer, of a review of ITT being chaired by Stephen Munday.
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
Ensuring teachers are trained to have an understanding of the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those with conditions such as Autism, is a key part of our drive to give all children access to the education they deserve.
Following a review of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) carried out by Stephen Munday, the Education Secretary has confirmed that SEND training will form part of the new core content for ITT. Further detail will be published in due course.
Stephen Munday CBE, Chief Executive of Comberton Academy Trust, has been appointed to chair an independent expert group that would develop a new core content framework for ITT courses. Find out more here.