National Award for SEN Coordination

Best Practice Network is delighted to offer TDA approved training for SENCOs, leading to the National Award for SEN Coordination.

As of 1st September 2009, amended regulations come into force that require the school governing body to ensure the teacher designated as the SENCO, who is new to the role, undertakes nationally approved training.

Our programme:

• is work-based and practical
• is delivered in locations close to candidates' workplaces
• starts in October 2009 and at regular intervals throughout the year
• takes approximately one year, part time to complete for an eligible SENCO starting "from scratch" without accreditation for prior experience and learning
• is accredited to provide 60 credits at Masters level

Who is eligible?

• All SENCOs who have not been a SENCO for more than twelve months by 1 September 2009 need to complete the approved training. This includes newly appointed SENCOs and all those coming new to the role from September 2008.
• The programme is also open to experienced SENCOs, in post for more that twelve months, who wish to benefit from the personal and professional development opportunity and who want to acquire the qualification of the National Award for SEN Co-ordination. Experienced SENCOs may choose to follow either the full programme or an assessment only route.
• The programme is also open to SENCOs working in special schools and in all private and independent schools.

SENCO training costs and funding options

For SENCOs new to the role in academies, foundation, community, voluntary and maintained nursery schools:

• Tuition and assessment fees - TDA funded
• Supply costs - maximum of £1500 (£150 per day maximum) - TDA funded

For experienced SENCOs:

• Tuition and assessment route £1800 exclusive of VAT - non TDA funded
• Assessment only route £900 exclusive of VAT - non TDA funded

For SENCOs from the independent and private education sector and special schools:

• Tuition and assessment route £1800 exclusive of VAT - non TDA funded
• Assessment only route £900 exclusive of VAT - non TDA funded

How is our SENCO training programme organised?

Our training will be work based and offer you flexibility to develop your own learning pathway through each of the programme elements. We recognise that the SENCO role is not an easy one. Your workload is significant and there are often competing demands from both within and outside school. If you are new to the role, spending long periods of time out of school can also create its own difficulties. For this reason, our SENCO training programme is rooted in everyday practice and is organised in a way that allows you to learn new skills and acquire new knowledge, very much in the context of your day-to-day work, whilst getting to grips with your new job.

We deliver the programme through blended learning:

• Five e-learning units - these will tie together and reinforce your learning from each theme of the programme.
• Five face-to-face sessions - these will provide opportunities for you to share practice and consider which approaches to SEN provision are best suited to your school. Effective practice will be illustrated to support your learning and you will have opportunities to practice key skills.
• Tutor support - following an initial needs analysis, your tutor will enable you to prepare your own learning pathway, and support your emotional health and well-being throughout the programme.
• Three coaching sessions - coaching from a highly skilled and experienced coach will provide you with focused support to develop both personally and professionally.
• On-line learning community blog - will provide support for your day-to-day issues as well as creating a forum for reflection and access to SENCO perspectives within and beyond your local area.
• Small-scale action research project - will enable you to identify and develop effective practice in teaching and supporting pupils with SEN and/or disabilities.
• Two visits to other workplaces - will enable you to gain first hand experience of provision in other schools, settings and agencies.
• Three days of school based activities - will provide you with time to carry out developmental research and developmental activities in school.
• Peer support - our tutors will facilitate a supportive learning community amongst participants
• Personal learning log - enabling you to reflect on your learning journey.
• SENCO sponsor - a member of your school's Senior Leadership Group will act as your sponsor for the programme to ensure that you receive the support you need from your school.
• Local SENCO and multi-professional support networks - to provide you with support from local colleagues.

Our SENCO training is offered in a flexible way that allows you to work out your optimum learning pathway taking into account your prior learning as well as personal circumstances.

How is the SENCO training assessed?

The National Award for SEN Co-ordination is assessed through a portfolio of evidence, much of which is drawn from policies, procedures and systems that you will need to have in place as part of your role. There is also a small scale action research project that forms part of the assessment requirements.

Some experienced SENCOs may choose to follow an assessment only route and will need to complete a portfolio of evidence, a small-scale action research project and take part in two coaching sessions.