Children with Special Educational Needs

Frequently asked questions

What is differentiation?

When a teacher first thinks a child may have special educational needs, they will look at how they can adapt the teaching and the work they ask the child to do to make sure they are included in the learning. This is called 'differentiation'.

Examples of differentiation include:

Individual questions and reminders for particular pupils
Simplified instructions or pictures and symbols (called visual cues)
Finding out by talking to pupils about what they can do and the next steps for learning
Pupils completing different tasks to meet the same outcome
Extra opportunities for learning through practice before and after the lesson
Computer programmes and interactive teaching programmes; and adapted resources and equipment, for example, large text