National Award for SEN Coordination

The National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) is a statutory requirement for all newly appointed SENCOs and is an excellent opportunity for professional development for experienced SENCOs.

We offer a leading edge Master’s level programme, delivered by skilled tutors that is designed to transform professional practice.

Ours is a work-based, flexible and practical programme that will equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to enhance achievement and maximise impact upon learners with SEN and/or disabilities.

Who is this for:

The Department for Education (DfE) regulations require school governing bodies to ensure that SENCOs who are new to the role undertake the National Award for SEN Coordination.

What are the benefits:

May I say that Sue has returned to school after your two day course last week, so enthusiastic and full of ideas that she has swept us up with her – it’s great!
Head Teacher, Devon

This programme will improve your awareness and understanding of professional practice, signpost relevant research, help you develop supportive learning networks and enable you to gain a Post Graduate Certificate in Vulnerable Learners and Inclusion. SENCOs have said that the programme has:

led to schools achieving better Ofsted grades
helped teachers and TAs to support progress of children with SEN
improved confidence in their role
refined assessment and processes across the school
improved the support for pupils in all areas of SEN

The knowledge and experience I gained doing the NASENCO course had a direct impact on our school achieving an OFSTED grade of outstanding.
SENCO, Bristol

How is it assessed:

The programme delivers the learning outcomes specified by the TDA and 60 Master's level credits, through three elements:

Action Research Project of 5,000 to 6,000 words (30 credits). The project can be used to demonstrate a significant number of the learning outcomes.
Reflective account(s) focused on specific learning outcomes. Each account will be 2,500 to 3,000 words (2 x 15 credits).
E-portfolio evidence drawn from school based activities, for example, policies, procedures and systems that SENCOs have put in place or reviewed.

Submission dates are flexible to enable SENCOs to choose their own submission points within two years of the programme start date.

How is it delivered:

Our programme is delivered nationally in partnership with Bath Spa University (BSU). It incorporates the Postgraduate Certificate in Vulnerable Learners and Inclusion worth 60 credits towards a Master’s (MA) degree.

Submission dates are flexible to enable SENCOs to choose their own submission points within two years of the programme start date.

Autumn courses start in accessible locations across the country in November, with additional opportunities to start each Spring and Summer term.

We offer a flexible combination of learning and support opportunities that include:

face to face sessions
online learning
leadership learning groups
tutor and peer support
residential sessions
coaching
annual conference
group and national forum

What does it cost:

Education Regulations now require Governing Bodies to ensure that all SENCOs new to the post from September 2008 achieve the National Award for SEN Coordination within 3 years. All SENCOs in Primary and Secondary schools new to the role from September 2008 are currently fully funded through a TDA grant. In its recent green paper, the DfE confirmed funding for the academic year 2011/12.

There are 3 funding streams available:

TDA Funding - If you are the designated SENCO, new to role, working in a maintained school or academy you will be entitled to TDA funding. This means the course is free for you to do and your school will receive up to £1500 in release costs. TDA funding is currently only guaranteed until the 31st January 2012.
Self-Funding - If you are not the designated SENCO but still involved in SEN work at your school, or if you are the designated SENCO but your school is not a maintained school or academy, you may wish to do the self-funded route. The cost of this is £1500 and you can choose between a 3-Day course or a 2-Day residential course.
Assessment Only - The final option is for experienced SENCOs who would like to do the Assessment only route. The cost of this is £995.

How do I apply/find out more:

Our training programmes fill up fast. To secure your place, please download our application form and return to:

Registration Team National Award for SEN Coordination Best Practice Network, 111-117 Victoria Street, Bristol, BS1 6AX

Application form:

NASENCO Application form

NASENCO assessment

Action research is a process of systematic reflection, enquiry and action carried out by individuals about their own professional practice. Crucial to this learning process is the discussion and critical perspective provided through talking with other colleagues.

Benefits include:

Improved awareness and understanding of professional practice and improved ability to discuss and articulate subsequent professional learning
Increased breadth of understanding of professional practice through group interaction and critical discussion

Public accounts of the research outcomes can be produced in order to share the new understandings and practices with other teachers. Other practitioners can then also become interested in the process of action research and may be encouraged to join in.

Your action research will be the main piece of work on this programme and you may submit either 5,000-6,000 words (for 30 credits) or 7,500-9,000 words (for 45 credits). You do not need to make a decision about word length at the outset. Your action research project will demonstrate evidence for a number of the NASENCO learning outcomes (Los) - decide what these will be as you begin to plan your project.

Studying on any professional Master's programme always involves critical reflection and analysis. Teachers are used to being 'reflective practitioners'. Part of everyday professional life involves reviewing the success of actions and planning new actions as a consequence. Critical analysis takes this a step further. It involves viewing professional practice in a broader and more objective sense. By 'stepping back' in this way, the bigger picture begins to emerge and professionals find that they are able to question and sometimes challenge the framework within which they operate. Understanding why we work the way that we do, promotes a greater confidence in trying new and innovative approaches.

You may decide to submit one or two reflective account(s) for 15 or 30 credits (depending on whether you decide to use your action research for 45 or 30 credits). The expected word length is 2,500 - 3,000 words for 15 credits. For this element of the assessment, select learning outcomes for critical reflection to demonstrate your M level understanding, make use of the relevant literature and include a context/rationale element to add clarity and meet the M level criteria.

Best Practice Network will provide you with a Critical Reflection Scaffold and guidance to support you in these reflections and help you to analyse critically your professional practice.

Evidence from your day-to-day work as a SENCO can be submitted at any time during the programme, together with an explanation of your role in using/producing the evidence and your reflection on and analysis of the issues raised. You will receive feedback about whether your evidence fully meets, partially meets or does not meet the specified Learning Outcomes and, in the case of partially or not met evidence, you have the opportunity to resubmit evidence for further formative feedback. There is no overall word length requirement for this assessment task.

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National Award for SEN Coordination

NASENCO assessment