Portland School in Sunderland is experiencing the same kind of staff recruitment and retention problems facing many special schools. Training mainstream teachers who are converting to special schools to the required standard, and enabling new teachers with the right skills, is often an expensive commitment when relying on specialist training providers, so the school has pioneered the technique of giving existing staff the right qualifications to become in-house trainers. The cost savings are substantial and the disruption caused by staff having to attend outside courses is reduced. The programme follows Judith Knox's induction as a new teacher. Despite being the parent of a child at the school and having eight years' mainstream teaching experience, Judith confesses to being surprised at the new range of skills she has to acquire. The programme is of particular interest to teachers and leaders at special schools who may wish to reduce the expense of outside training courses.

Video Series: Special Schools
Release Date 2006