Your guide to supporting pupils with SEN

The number of pupils requiring SEN support in mainstream schools has risen 24.9% since 2016 according to the DfE. This increase means that schools nationwide are under pressure to provide effective support to pupils with a whole host of additional needs. 

We know that no 2 pupils are the same and that choosing the right interventions for your pupils with SEN can be difficult. This is where online tuition provides a unique opportunity to give pupils bespoke support. 

Find out more about tutoring and how to use it effectively below. 
 

Why tutoring for SEN? 

Tutoring offers pupils with SEN the space outside of a traditional classroom environment to ask questions, explore ideas and build confidence. 

Without the noise and distractions of a full classroom, students can find a time and place to catch up and learn that suits them best. With online tutoring in particular, pupils benefit from the ability to log in and take lessons with noise-cancelling headphones or in a space that allows them to self-regulate. 

We know many pupils with SEN are more likely to struggle with mental health problems and are more than twice as likely to be persistently absent. Tutoring gives them an additional supportive and safe environment, where they can learn without distractions or the fear of getting it wrong in front of classmates. 

What are the benefits of online tutoring for SEN? 

There are many benefits to using online tutoring platforms, like MyTutor, for SEN pupils: 

• 1:1 support goes at their pace and provides a supportive and confidence-boosting environment.
• Pupils can choose their environment and ask questions in a way that feels comfortable for them. 
• With MyTutor, our tutors are specially trained to support SEN pupils.
• They’re also closer in age so they understand what pupils are going through, offering a safe space to learn.
• We offer flexible programmes in 30+ subjects delivered from 8am to 7pm to suit their schedule. 
• Our platform offers helpful adjustments for SEN pupils, including built-in timers, customisable colours and brightness and much more. 

Take a look at our School Story featuring Wixams Academy to find out more about how our school partners are supporting SEN pupils back into school through online tutoring. 

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How can schools and parents work together to support SEN teens? 

We know that parents worry about their children and many are keen to get involved in supporting their child’s education but don’t know where to start. We’ve learned over the last 10 years that when parents are on board with tutoring, attendance and engagement improve. 

Our Teacher Advisory Board are big advocates for parental engagement, and this is no different for pupils with SEN. When parents are on board with school interventions, they tend to keep their children accountable, encourage them to make the most of the opportunities available and can help the school understand when an intervention is working (or when it isn’t).

So how can you get parents on board with your interventions? Here are some top tips: 

1. Involve them from the start: Whether an in-school meeting, a letter or text home, or a chat at parents’ evening, it’s important to get buy-in from parents from the start so they understand why their teen is doing tutoring and how it can help them. 
2. Update them on progress: Mid-way through the programme and at the end, it’s a great idea to let parents know how their teen is doing as well as ask them for feedback. 
3. Use rewards: Incentivising parents as well as pupils can help drive attendance. Try offering a voucher the whole family can use as an incentive to attend tutoring lessons. 

With rising numbers of SEN pupils in mainstream schooling, it’s more important than ever to get your interventions right. With the many benefits of online tutoring, there’s a reason so many SENCo’s have been booking programmes with us this year. 

If you’d like to learn more about our bespoke tutoring support for SEN, get in touch with our team today.