Education - Inclusive and Special Education

This Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs is a recognised postgraduate qualification for teachers working in the area of special educational needs and learning support in mainstream primary and post primary schools and for teachers in special classes/units, special schools and other relevant educational settings. The aim of the programme is to provide substantial theoretical and practical training for teachers working with pupils with special educational needs and pupils who require learning support.

The programme runs from September until May and is delivered by the Programme Leader supported by a cohort of external lecturers with a wide range of expertise . Issues pertaining to inclusive education and special needs will be explored and teachers are supported in implementing skills to support the learning and teaching of students with special educational needs. The programme also includes supervised work in the teachers' own school and supported ongoing study throughout the year using a variety of modes of content delivery. In addition, it also involves online and distance learning and teachers will be required to attend lectures and workshops at Froebel Dept in Maynooth over the course of approximately 15 weekends (Friday 4pm-8pm and Saturday 9-4pm).

The programme runs from September until May and is delivered by the Programme Leader supported by a cohort of external lecturers with a wide range of expertise . Issues pertaining to inclusive education and special needs will be explored and teachers are supported in implementing skills to support the learning and teaching of students with special educational needs. The programme also includes supervised work in the teachers' own school and supported ongoing study throughout the year using a variety of modes of content delivery. In addition, it also involves online and distance learning and teachers will be required to attend lectures and workshops at Froebel Dept in Maynooth over the course of approximately 15 weekends (Friday 4pm-8pm and Saturday 9-4pm).

Course Duration: 1 year Part-time

Applicants, who should be qualified teachers, need to meet the following requirements:

Primary: Applicants should have satisfactorily completed their probationary period. They must be qualified teachers who hold

A) a position in a sanctioned post in an area of special education or learning support, or who will be taking up such posts in September.

B) a position as a mainstream class teacher and has contact with children with special educational needs

Post Primary: Applicants must be qualified teachers who hold

A) a position in a sanctioned post in an area of special education or learning support, or who will be taking up such posts in September.

B) a position as a mainstream class teacher and has at least four class periods should be allocated to teaching individuals or groups of not more than four students.

Special Schools: Applicants are also invited from Special School teachers. They must be qualified teachers who hold a position in a sanctioned post in a Special School or who will be taking up such posts in September.

Other Educational Services: Qualified teachers employed by ETBs as literacy and/or numeracy tutors in Youthreach and who are assigned to Learning Support work (with individuals, groups or classes of not more than 15 pupils) for a minimum of 10 hours per week. At least four class periods should be allocated to teaching individuals or groups of not more than four students.

It is particularly important that, in their schools, teachers participating in the programme are given the type/level of duties and teaching responsibilities (as required by the programme providers) which will permit them to benefit fully from the training being offered.

All applications should be made through the PAC system.

Closing Date : 30 June 2021

1 year Part-time

Graduates of the course will be better equipped to address the ever changing challenges of the modern educational environment in mainstream or special schools. Graduates will be qualified to work as educators in the area of special education.