Overview

This bill mandates that all initial teacher training programs in England include statutory guidance on special educational needs (SEN) awareness. The aim is to better equip trainee teachers to identify and support students with various learning disabilities.

Description

The Teacher Training (Special Educational Needs) Bill requires the Secretary of State, in consultation with the National College for Teaching and Leadership, to create and publish statutory guidance for accredited initial teacher training providers. This guidance must ensure that trainee teachers receive training covering:

• Awareness of common learning disabilities (including autism, moderate learning difficulties, behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, dyslexia, speech, language and communication needs, and others as defined by the Secretary of State).
• Basic child development or psychology.
• Understanding of common learning disabilities sufficient to support students and determine when specialist help is needed.
• Awareness that students may have learning disabilities unfamiliar to them.

Accredited providers must adhere to this guidance. The bill defines "accredited initial teacher training providers" and "initial teacher training" according to the Education (School Teachers’ Qualifications) (England) Regulations 2003. The bill applies only to England and section 1 comes into force two months after its passage.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending figures. The cost will likely involve the creation and dissemination of the statutory guidance, as well as any potential adjustments to teacher training programs. No figures are provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

• Trainee Teachers: Required to undertake specific SEN awareness training.
• Accredited Initial Teacher Training Providers: Must adapt their training programs to meet the new statutory guidance.
• Students with Special Educational Needs: Will potentially benefit from better-trained teachers who are more equipped to support their learning.
• The Secretary of State for Education: Responsible for creating and publishing the statutory guidance.
• National College for Teaching and Leadership: Involved in the consultation process for developing the guidance.

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