At a glance
Course duration
18 Months
Awards:
NPQ for SENCOs and
Level 5 Learning and Development Apprenticeship
Face-to-Face Events
4
Monthly Coaching
Sessions
Programme cost
£7,000 £0 with Apprenticeship Levy funding
What is the Leader Apprenticeship with NPQ for SENCOs?
The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQ for SENCOs is a dual award that integrates the DfE’s NPQ for SENCOs with the Level 5 Learning and Development Apprenticeship.
The NPQ provides an evidence-informed framework built around “learn that” and “learn how to”, defining what effective SEND leadership looks like in practice. It focuses on improving outcomes for pupils through high-quality teaching, provision and inclusive culture.
The apprenticeship develops participants as strategic leaders of learning and improvement, able to diagnose organisational need, influence stakeholders and design professional development that delivers measurable impact.
Together, the programme develops SENCOs not just as specialists in SEND, but as leaders who can shape whole-school practice, culture and performance.
Who should apply for the Leader Apprenticeship with NPQ for SENCOs?
This programme is designed for SENCOs, teachers and school leaders who are leading, or aspiring to lead, SEND provision and inclusive practice
It is particularly suited to those who recognise that the SENCO role is both strategic and operational, requiring influence across teaching, curriculum, behaviour and staff development.
Participants should have the opportunity to apply their learning in their setting and be ready to work through others, leading change that improves participation, achievement and outcomes for pupils with SEND.
What are the benefits of completing the Leader Apprenticeship with NPQ for SENCOs?
The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQ for SENCOs provides a dual qualification in SEND expertise and Level 5 Learning and Development. This combination equips leaners with both specialist SEND knowledge and the broader organisational and leadership capability needed to transform provision and drive lasting school-wide change.
Develop evidence-informed SEND leadership
Gain a secure understanding of the SENCO role, including statutory responsibilities, identification and effective provision, grounded in high-quality evidence. Learn to improve outcomes so pupils with SEND can participate fully, belong and achieve ambitious outcomes.
Lead whole-school improvement
Move beyond coordinating provision to influencing teaching, curriculum and behaviour. Develop the expertise to create an inclusive culture where barriers are proactively addressed and all pupils can thrive.
Turn evidence into embedded practice
Bridge how pupils learn with how adults learn. Use insights from both frameworks to design professional development that leads to consistent, evidence-informed classroom practice, not isolated change.
Develop the skills to implement change and influence others
Build your ability to diagnose need, plan implementation and sustain improvement over time. Learn to influence colleagues and senior leaders, working through distributed leadership to align SEND with wider school priorities.
Use data to evaluate impact and improve outcomes
Strengthen your ability to monitor provision, evaluate effectiveness and refine practice, using both qualitative and quantitative evidence to demonstrate impact over time.
Learn through practice with expert support
Apply your learning directly in your setting, supported by coaching, feedback and professional networks, ensuring your development translates into real change.
Create a unified support network
Build high-trust, seamless partnerships between parents, staff and external agencies to ensure every child is supported.
Why should I undertake the dual award?
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Cross-sector learning
Candidates access cutting-edge theory, resources and delivery from thought leaders and leading practitioners from all sectors of the economy.
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Awards 60 Master's credits
Can be used as a springboard onto an MA in Educational Leadership with the University of Chester.
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Practice-based programme
Candidates undertake school-based activities and are assessed on how they apply learning in their day-to-day role, helping develop and refine organisational management and leadership skills.
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A wider view of leadership
Candidates apply cross-sector management and leadership practice to their school context providing greater challenge and a broader perspective to organisational improvement.
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Access to extra coaching and content
Throughout the course you will have access to extra coaching and teaching to help you succeed in the qualification.
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A personal experienced tutor to help you
An experienced tutor will help you throughout both the apprenticeship and the National Professional Qualification.
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Utilise levy funding
This professional development opportunity makes use of the apprenticeship levy and includes the DfE accredited NPQ for SENCOs at no additional cost.
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Chartered Management Institute
Eligibility to become a Chartered Member and Institute of Leadership and Management Member.
This programme focuses on the holistic development of the appropriate skills, knowledge and behaviours, designed in partnership with cross-sector industries, to ensure bespoke coverage of all the relevant requirements of leading and managing at a senior level at your setting.
The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQ for SENCOs makes use of a blended delivery model consisting of Face-to-Face events, online study, webinars and coaching.
Face-to-Face
NPQ for SENCOs participants will attend 4 face-to-face events via the blended delivery model. Our nationwide delivery partnership network allows us to bring face-to-face training to a school near you and facilitated by local school leaders.
Online Learning
Participants access online learning and support via our virtual learning environment (VLE) Canvas. Through Canvas, participants are able to engage with their learning communities of peers and access multimedia content. They can also access research and expert-led school practice aligned to the curriculum content for the qualification, receive high-quality feedback from experienced performance coaches and submit work for assessment.
The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQ for SENCOs can be funded through your school’s apprenticeship levy. Schools will be able to access the funding through their apprenticeship service (AS) account.
If your school needs help setting up your AS account, just let us know and we’ll guide you through it.
The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQ for SENCOs costs £7,000 from Apprenticeship Levy funds or co-investment for non-levy payers where the government pays 95% (the NPQ for SENCOs standalone cost is £1,298).
The level of funding depends on each candidate’s learning needs, with a maximum allocation of £7,000 to cover the cost of the apprenticeship.
What is the Apprenticeship Levy?
The levy is paid by large employers with a wage bill of over £3 million. These employers pay 0.5% of their total annual pay bill into the levy. Most state-maintained schools and multi-academy trusts pay into the levy.
The levy is designed to create long term sustainable funding for apprenticeships and to give employers more control to provide their staff with a range of training opportunities.
Apprenticeship funded training is designed for both new and existing staff members.
Below is the programme structure for the Leader Apprenticeship with NPQ for SENCOs:
Applicants must have full support from their school/organisation. A head teacher, member of the SLT, line manager or Chair of Governors (or similar authoritative role) must confirm their support and that all information submitted is true and correct. This is a Department for Education mandatory requirement.
To apply for NPQ for SENCO, applicants must have the following:
- Teacher Reference Number - see TRN Support Guide
- 2 years teaching experience
- Opportunity to apply learning
If you are unsure if you meet the above requirements or have other relevant experience then please contact our team who will be able to support your application.
SENCOs who have already obtained the NASENCO will not need to complete the new NPQ. From September 2024, all SENCOs will:
- Need to take the NPQ if they have not completed or started the NASENCO
- Still need to complete training within 3 years of appointment – schools and SENCOs must ensure they enrol on training that will meet this requirement
- SENCOs appointed before 1 September 2009 will not be required to take the NPQ but will be expected to ensure compliance with the regulations
Our Leader Apprenticeship with NPQ for SENCOs dual award includes the National Professional Qualification for SENCOs. For more information about the NPQ, click here.
Best Practice Network is one of the leading providers of NPQ for SENCOs nationally and the quality of our provision is rated ‘Exceptional’ by the DfE’s external quality assurance agent.
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