Something came up repeatedly when I asked about training for Special Education Teachers.

Several teachers told me that they learned much of what they know about special education after qualifying, often from experienced colleagues or through courses they pursued themselves.

One comment put it simply: “You have to see it to be it.”

This made me wonder about teaching practice. We expect newly qualified teachers to be ready to teach every child who arrives in front of them, yet it seems entirely possible to qualify as a primary teacher without ever having spent a substantial placement working in a special school, special class or SET setting.

So here’s the question:
Should every student teacher have to complete a long special education placement before qualifying? An actual, meaningful placement working alongside experienced teachers and children in a special education setting for as long as we expect them to do so for classroom practice.

Would it make newly qualified teachers better prepared?

And for anyone who has recently completed teacher training: how much practical experience of special education did you actually get?