What is it about?
Given the rise in discussion amongst teachers about the sensory needs of certain groups of children, this research sought to find a baseline of current understanding, resourcing and provision amongst in schools, from the perspective of SENCOs, who would be the gatekeepers of this information. What do SENCOs know about Sensory Processing Difficulties? What training or support has been available to them? What benefits, if any, do they see in meeting the sensory needs of pupils: social, emotional and/ or academic? What resources are available to them? How do they assess SPD, allocate resources and determine which strategies/ interventions would be appropriate? How involved are Occupational therapists in supporting teachers?
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Why is it important?
Recent government and independent reports into levels of SEN pupil support in Northern Ireland indicate that sensory provision is becoming increasingly visible in our mainstream schools. However, no government directives/ guidelines exist as to what form this should take or which children should be benefitting from these approaches. No previous review of current practice in SPD had been carried out. This research was Phase 1 of a doctoral study which sought to consider if SENCOs believed sensory provision should be a element of school-based pupil support. It also sought to ascertain if current teacher training was available, and if not, was there need for a teacher education programme, designed with cross-professional cooperation between OT and educational input, to build teacher capacity in this area.
Perspectives
Working on this research provided insight into the opinions of those in the field of teacher education. It demonstrated that while some SENCOs were well-trained the majority were enthusiastically trying to find their own training or developing ad hoc, trail and error approaches to sensory provision. It provide alarming evidence that pupil voice is largely under-represented in the identification and support process. This information informed Phase 2 of the research and focused the cross-professional approach to the creation of an effective teacher education programme.
Dr Gillian Joanne Beck
Queen's University Belfast
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: In need of review: Developing Sensory Provision in Northern Ireland’s Mainstream Primary classrooms, Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, June 2021, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/1471-3802.12519.
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