You will:

• plan lessons and prepare teaching materials
• teach whole class lessons, work with small groups and support pupils individually
• help pupils develop self-confidence, independence and skills for life
• manage pupils' behaviour, motivate and encourage them to learn
• mark and assess work
• take registers and write reports

You'll sometimes also:

• work with specialist teaching services, medical staff, therapists and psychologists
• talk to parents and carers about their children's progress
• attend meetings, statutory reviews and training workshops
• organise outings, school social activities and sporting events
• run training sessions for other teaching staff on special needs issues

You could work at a school, at a special needs school or at a pupil referral unit.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You could become a special needs co-ordinator, head of department, deputy head or headteacher in your school, through training and promotion.