Dear Principal,

As you may be aware, SESS operates a Supports Scheme for teachers and schools. Through the SESS Supports Scheme, teachers/schools identify their own professional development needs in relation to special education and apply to the SESS for support. Support sought may be financial, professional or advisory in nature. Applications for funding will only be considered from qualified teachers, currently registered with the Teaching Council and employed in a position funded by the Department of Education and Skills.

As part of the supports scheme, SESS wishes to advise that funding may be available to help towards the costs involved in pursuing the following post-graduate programmes:

1. Post-Graduate Course in Applied Behaviour Analysis

This post-graduate programme is available through Trinity College Dublin. Admission to the course is a matter for Trinity College. Successful applicants, in addition to being qualified teachers and registered with the Teaching Council as above, must also hold a permanent or contract of indefinite duration position in school, have completed the SESS Contemporary Applied Behaviour Analysis course and possess a post-graduate certificate in Autism (or higher).

2. Post-Graduate Courses for Teachers of Pupils who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Courses are available through distance education at the University of Birmingham, Mary Hare and Oxford Brookes University (Westminster Institute of Education) and the University of Manchester. SESS may also consider funding alternative distance education post-graduate programmes on application. Successful applicants, in addition to being qualified teachers and registered with the Teaching Council as above, must also hold a permanent or contract of indefinite duration position in school. All applicants must be teaching a student(s) who is Deaf/Hard of Hearing for the duration of the course in order to be considered for funding.

3. Post-Graduate courses for Teachers of Pupils with a Visual Impairment

Courses are available through distance education at the University of Birmingham and the University of Wales, Newport. SESS may also consider funding alternative distance education post-graduate programmes on application. Successful applicants, in addition to being qualified teachers and registered with the Teaching Council as above, must also hold a permanent or contract of indefinite duration position in school. All applicants must be teaching a student(s) with a Visual Impairment for the duration of the course in order to be considered for funding.

Funding for these post-graduate programmes outlined above may be provided by SESS for the following:

  • Individual College Fees
  • Books (to a maximum of €127 )
  • Travel & subsistence expenses including flights, paid on submission of receipts and in accordance with DES guidelines

    • I would appreciate it very much if you could bring the letter and the enclosed SESS Supports Scheme form to the attention of the teaching staff of the school.

    The closing date for applications is Thursday May 22, 2014.

    Yours sincerely,

    _____________________________

    Madeline Hickey

    Director

    Special Education Support Service

    Funding for post graduate courses for various special needs