Getting help for students with additional learning needs from the Specialist Teacher Outreach Service
Learn about the Specialist Teacher Outreach Service (Outreach Service).
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Schools can choose to access the Specialist Teacher Outreach Service for their students.
- How the Outreach Service works
- How schools work with the Outreach Service
- What specialist teachers do
- How to get a specialist teacher
- How to become an Outreach Service provider school
- Further information
How the Outreach Service works
The Outreach Service provides a specialist itinerant teaching service for students on the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) in their local area. The specialist teachers provide support to the student in their enrolling school.
The specialist teacher works as part of the student’s support team, which includes their class teachers, Learning Support staff, support staff and family or whānau.
How schools work with the Outreach Service
When schools have an Outreach Service teacher, they transfer their ORS staffing to the Outreach Service provider school. The provider school can then employ the specialist teacher.
The Ministry of Education supports the Outreach Service provider with funding for administration and travel.
A Memorandum of Agreement between the provider school and local school outlines the roles and responsibilities for both schools. The specialist teacher also uses a practice framework to guide them.
What specialist teachers do
The teachers work with students and also support the class teacher, the local school support staff and the student’s whānau.
They undertake a range of activities, which can include:
- teaching students in class or in small groups
- assessing a student’s learning needs
- putting together programmes for a student within the classroom curriculum
- monitoring the student’s progress and planning their next steps
- modelling different strategies for teachers and teacher aides
- helping teachers to work with the curriculum
- adapting materials or supports so the student can access the learning programme
- asking for support from the Ministry of Education
- contributing to a student’s Individual Education Plan.
How to get a specialist teacher
Contact the Outreach Service provider school in your area to enrol in the service. If you don’t know where that school is, contact your local Ministry of Education office to find out.
How to become an Outreach Service provider school
Contact your local Ministry of Education office to find out.
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