Role of Resource Teachers

pog it

Can anyone tell me what resource teachers do, as opposed to say special needs teachers, or are they doing the same job essentially?


I see there are 'support teachers' also and am just confused about the different roles involved.

byhookorbycrook

Learning Support teachers teach children who are on or under the 10th percentile in the standardised English and Maths tests.
Resource teachers work with children with low incidence special needs like dyspraxia or ADHD etc.

The Dept seems most anxious to push all SEN (L.Support or Resource) teachers into mainstream classrooms at present.

pog it

Thanks so much for that.

By any chance would you have a full list of those low incidence special needs that fall under the responsibility of resource teachers?

I was also wondering if a primary school principal can hold the position of principal while also holding the position of the resource teacher? And not teaching a mainstream class?

I did find a document on the website of the IPPN and it says in section 13:

(b) Principal Teacher and Special Education posts

In light of the widely acknowledged pivotal role of a Principal teacher in the
overall management of a school, a Principal shall not undertake the duties of any
type of a special education post.

A resource teacher is listed in an earlier section as one of the teacher roles coming under 'special education' posts.

pog it

Also, just wondering if resource teaching has to be one to one tuition?

Aineoil

pog it wrote: »

Also, just wondering if resource teaching has to be one to one tuition?

Not necessarily, many schools adopt this approach, but ultimately it's up to the school to decide best practice.

pm me if you need additional information.

byhookorbycrook

No to the one to one, it used to be, but not any more, necessarily.

byhookorbycrook

Low Incidence Disabilities Hours of resource teaching support available to school per week
Physical Disability 3
Hearing Impairment 4
Visual Impairment 3.5
Emotional Disturbance 3.5
Severe Emotional Disturbance 5
Moderate General Learning Disability 3.5
Severe / Profound General Learning Disability 5
Autism / Autistic Spectrum Disorders 5
Specific Speech and Language Disorder 4
Assessed syndrome in conjunction with one of the above low incidence disabilities 3 to 5, taking into account the pupil’s special educational needs including level of general learning disability
Multiple Disabilities 5

This is the list of low-incidence, but the hours have been cut.

pog it

Thanks again, that is a massive help.

Just on the question re a school principal holding a special education post and what it said in the piece I quoted from a circular from the Dept of Education.

Are these circulars from the Dept of Education coming from any part of a legal Education Act or are they recommendations?

Are they worthless in that case and any thing said as not allowed, is in fact allowed?

afkasurfjunkie

The inspectorate PREFER if a principal is not in a learning support/resource role in their school, but it does happen. sometimes the paperwork side of things is perceived as being a little lighter than having a large class to contend with along with running a school.

pog it

Is it not a precarious way to operate?

Say if the principal does have one to one lessons with a pupil, in the case of having say one pupil with autism for example, and what if an issue were to arise that needs to be taken up with the principal, where would a parent go then?

No other mainstream class would ever have just one pupil unless it's a very remote school.

Bananatop

pog it wrote: »

Say if the principal does have one to one lessons with a pupil, in the case of having say one pupil with autism for example, and what if an issue were to arise that needs to be taken up with the principal, where would a parent go then?

Maybe they would go to the vice principal then, but it isn't usual for a Principal to be working one on one with a child with Autism. I have never seen it in any school I've worked in, nor have I heard of it either.

Have you spoken to the principal in your school about this? (assuming it is happening in the school where your child is)