Ally2900

I've already posted this question once on these forums, so I apologise if I'm going to sound like a broken record....but want to ask again to be completely sure. (I'm making a big decision next week!) Has anyone successfully passed the skills assessment to become a SEN Teacher? I know there was someone on these forums (Leah?) who did a PG Cert SENCO after her BEd and it was accepted. However, I don't have a BEd - I have a 3 year BSc in Psychology. I'm applying to do a PGCE next week and thankfully have dodged a bullet by NOT choosing a School's direct, over a traditional PGCE thanks to the advice given here. I've found 4 courses in the UK that offer a traditional PGCE with Special Educational Needs. I think I will need to do a Masters on top of this to qualify, according to the gov website. I don't think the SEN part of the PGCE will be accepted. However, now I'm worrying in case this PGCE will not be accepted by Aus because it may concern less modules than a PGCE without SEN. I know it sounds ridiculous, but Aus seems so anal on transcripts and modules covered. I would just to hear from anyone who have has their qualifications (BA/BSc + PGCE + MA?) accepted...and is now a SEN Teacher in Aus. Thank you.

@chouse - Just out of interest - did you do an initial teachers training degree, then this postgrad course? Thanks

clarity*

Thanks for your reply. Wow - Aus are very very picky! I think there is a new qualification in SEN that has just become available over here, but will need to check this out. The PGCE will be something like Primary with Special Educational Needs. I think I will phone the Migration people on Monday for some charity. I definitely want to do SEN. I've been working with a literacy charity for 8 months, helping kids with Dyslexia and other learning difficulties and I'm also a qualified ESL Teacher. The annoying thing is, the School direct is a lot more heavily involved with SEN than the traditional PGCE route but I'll phone on Monday to get some clarity on this one. Thank you.

@Quoll thank you SO MUCH. This has saved me worrying and searching for hours. My gut tells me Aus will eventually recognise the School direct route, but not taking any chances for now. I have actually been on the Assessment Migration website too and will call them Monday to confirm. I have one more question relating to SEN teaching. I will do a PGCE + Specialism in SEN. Do you think I will be eligible? This is what it says under the classification of SEN Teacher. Professional Theprofessional criterion must be met in one of two ways: an initial teacher education qualification of at least one year full-time study (or part-time equivalent) at the higher education (university) level that includes a minimum of 45 days of supervised teaching practice with students in a school setting, and a formal post graduate qualification in special needs of at least one year in duration (full-time or part-time equivalent) at the higher education (university) level. NOTE- Applicants relying on a postgraduate special needs qualificationto, in-part, meet the professional criterion must have completed aminimum of 45 days of supervised teaching practice in a schoolsetting as part of their initial teacher education qualification tomeet the professional assessment criteria. or (ii) an undergraduate initialteacher education qualification with a specialisation in specialneeds of at least one year full-time study (or part-time equivalent),at the higher education (university) level that includes a minimum of45 days of supervised teaching practice with students within aspecial needs setting. Theprofessional qualification/s must be assessed as comparable to theeducational level of an Australian bachelor degree or higher.

Thanks.... I will need to hurry as I need to get my application done and in for Tuesday. Does anybody know who I can contact regarding this issue? I don't want to make a mistake and then wait another year... Thank you!

Sorry, I realise I may not have been very clear. The course I want to do (School's direct) came into practice in 2011. The course is the same as a Traditional PGCE pathway. I will still need to attend lectures at the Uni and I will receive the same qualification (PGCE + QTS) The only difference is, it is more practical. I will spend a lot more time teaching in schools, rather than in lectures. I just don't know if Oz will want experience on top of the qualification, even if I have the 60 points already...

It is University based...I will need to attend University for lectures etc, but the majority of my time will be spent teaching in schools. In fact, I thought it would be better for me, since you need to have 45 days of observed teaching experience. With a traditional PGCE pathway, I don't even think you have that.

It's school based, but credited by a University. Most of my time will be teaching in schools (SEN schools too). It's called School's direct.

Hello All I'm new to the Forums and apologise if I've posted this in the wrong place. I'm 31 years old and have a child who is 5 years old. I have graduated University with a BSc in Psychology/Neuropsychology. Next week, I will apply for a School Direct placement with special educational needs as a specialism. At the end of the course, I will be awarded with a PGCE+ QTS with SEN as a specialism. I have always thought about Australia as a potential place for myself and daughter to live. I see SEN teachers on the SOL list too. It seems I have the opportunity to apply for a PR visa as I will have 60 points after I qualify (but no teaching experience, other than the time spent in schools). What are my chances? Also, do all SEN teachers need to have all their qualifications registered by the state/region? I'm talking about A-levels, GCSE's here too. I would be really grateful to hear from other SEN teachers who have successfully migrated to Australia. I have visited the assessment skills website and it seems I would be eligible....although I don't have a specific degree in Special needs, only the PGCE would have this specialism. I would also have the 45 days as observed teaching as part of my specific teaching route. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.