Mainstream vs. SEND: Which Teaching Path Is Right for You?

If you're considering a career in education, understanding whether to pursue mainstream teaching or SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) teaching is a vital step. Both paths offer unique rewards and challenges, and the crossover is ever emerging, but the fact remains that the requirement for both mainstream teachers and SEND specialist teachers is increasing.

At Senploy, we support education professionals in their careers across both mainstream and SEND settings. Here’s a detailed comparison to help guide your decision of which path is right for you.

What Is Mainstream Teaching?

Mainstream teaching involves working in typical primary or secondary schools, following the national curriculum:

• Teaching larger classes with diverse abilities
• Planning and delivering structured lessons tied to curriculum goals
• Engaging students through various instructional strategies
• Communicating student progress to parents and staff

Best for: Those who thrive in structured lesson delivery and enjoy working with larger, varied groups of students. Most teachers will also be required to accommodate students with SEND within the mainstream classroom, but these tend to be individuals who have been considered able to manage the curriculum within this environment.

What Is SEND Teaching?

SEND teaching focuses on supporting learners with additional educational needs in specialist settings or inclusive mainstream classrooms:

• Adapting lessons around SEN support plans unique to the individual
• Working with children facing ADHD, ASD, speech delays, physical disabilities, etc.
• Collaborating with SENCOs, therapists, and families
• Using flexible methods and assistive technology to support individual needs

Find out more about foundational principles of SEND teaching in our article which provides information about transitioning from a career in mainstream to special education.

Mainstream vs. SEND - Points to Consider

• Class size: Mainstream classes are often larger whereas SEND classes are often taught in small groups or 1:1 support
• Curriculum: Mainstream education follows national standards, but SEND is focused far more on individualised learning goals
• Required skills:Within mainstream, key skills include organisation, subject knowledge, classroom management and in a SEND environment, patience, adaptability, empathy and inclusive strategies are considered paramount.
• Setting: Mainstream delivers learning in standard classrooms and in contrast SEND settings are often specialist units or inclusive environments.
• Progress tracking: Mainstream follows standard assessments to monitor progress and impact, and in SEND, progress is evaluated against the individual support plan.

Which Path Suits You Best?

If you enjoy structured planning and curriculum-based delivery, then mainstream teaching may be the right fit, but if you are more interested in tailoring learning for individuals and adapting to their needs then SEND could be a better alternative.

Many educators build experience in both areas. In fact, roles increasingly overlap as SEND support extends into mainstream classrooms.

Boost Your Knowledge and Qualifications

Want to familiarise yourself with SEND concepts or need help managing challenges in SEND roles? Our resource How to Manage the Challenges of being Special Education Teachers and Teaching Assistants provides insight into what it’s like to work in SEND.

Next Steps to Grow Your Career

Whichever route you choose to go down, being a teacher or Teaching Assistant in mainstream or SEND is hugely rewarding and full of opportunities. In our blog How to Become A Teaching Assistant we deliver advice on the steps you need to take to get started.