Granting Full registration to teachers that have been probated in a restricted setting

Teachers registered under Regulation Two (Primary), who have previously been probated in a restricted setting may be eligible to apply for full registration in that sector subject to specific criteria. The Council recognises, that in some special education settings, the context is such that teachers are teaching a full curriculum to a full class over an entire day. They are therefore practising in circumstances which are comparable to those of a teacher in a mainstream class. It is envisaged that this policy will be time bound. Teachers who have been probated/commenced probation by the end of the academic year 2015/2016 will be considered. This policy will come into effect from 01 September 2016.

In order to be eligible for consideration under this policy:

1. Teachers must be registered under Regulation Two (Primary) of the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations and registered under Section 31(5) of the Teaching Council Acts
2. The only remaining condition on your registration must be Probation/Droichead in a mainstream setting¹
3. You are/have been working in a special education setting² and carrying out teaching roles that meet the criteria and service requirement below.

The following criteria must be met:

• You are teaching the full national curriculum which has been modified in line with the guidelines as set out by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)³
• You are teaching a class of a minimum size of six students⁴ on a fulltime basis for the entire day⁵
• You are fully responsible for the learning of the students and have responsibilities comparable to those of a mainstream class teacher⁶.
• Teachers will be required to evidence that they have teaching service of not less than 50 consecutive days in the same class and special education setting in addition to the above criteria. This service must be in addition to any service requirement for Probation/Droichead.

In order to be considered under this policy a completed Form SP-PROB should be submitted to the Teaching Council. This form is available for download here. Applications will be processed from September 2016. Additional information can be found in the FAQs section under Registration and Renewal.

_Footnotes

^{1 Eligible teachers must have completed Probation or the Droichead process in a restricted setting and have no other condition outstanding.}

^{2 In the context of this policy Special Education Settings include SEN classes in mainstream schools and special education schools. Learning Support and SNA experience are not eligible for consideration under this policy.}

^{3 Students with General Learning Disabilities – National Council for Curriculum and Assessment}

^{4 DES Circular 0038/2010 Staffing arrangements and the role of the National Council for Special Education}

^{5 This policy does not apply to: one-to-one tuition, home tutors, hospital schools, resource on a withdrawal basis, teachers teaching a limited number of subjects on a rotational basis to various classes or SNA work.}

^{6 This includes but is not limited to continuity of learning, assessment, progression and parent/teacher meetings.}