Building a SENCO Team
The illustration shows how The SEND Suite by Best Practice Network supports schools to build a fully developed SEND team rather than relying on one SENCO to hold all responsibility.
At the top, the SENCO provides strategic leadership and oversight of SEND across the school. Beneath them, trained specialists and assistant leaders help coordinate provision and support colleagues. Classroom practitioners and early years staff then deliver high quality inclusive practice and targeted support every day. Each programme in the SEND Suite develops expertise at a different level of the team, creating clear progression routes for staff and ensuring SEND support is consistent, sustainable and embedded across the whole school.
Building a SENCO Team
The illu
The SEND Suite by Best Practice Network helps schools respond to the clear direction set out in Every Child Achieving and Thriving, which calls for pupils with SEND to have their needs met in mainstream schools by highly trained teachers, leaders and support staff.
Rather than relying on one SENCO to carry this work alone, The SEND Suite helps schools build a confident, skilled SEND team at every level, strengthening early identification, classroom practice, specialist support and strategic leadership across the whole school.
Leader Apprenticeships with NPQs
Designed to give learners all of the essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin successful leadership of teacher development. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLTD is a dual award which has mapped the DfE's NPQ for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD) to the Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship. This combination means learners concurrently earn two highly prestigious qualifications.
Designed to give learners all of the essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin successful leadership of culture and behaviour in a school. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLBC is a dual award which has mapped the DfE's NPQ for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC) to the Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship. This combination means learners concurrently earn two highly prestigious qualifications.
Designed for aspiring or recently appointed senior leaders looking to improve their leadership capability. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQSL is a dual award which has mapped the DfE's flagship NPQ for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) to the Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship. This combination means learners concurrently earn two highly prestigious qualifications.
Designed to give learners all of the essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin the successful leadership of teaching. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLT is a dual award which has mapped the DfE's NPQ for Leading Teaching (NPQLT) to the Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship. This combination means learners concurrently earn two highly prestigious qualifications.
Designed for aspiring or recently appointed headteachers looking to improve their leadership capability. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQH is a dual award which has mapped the DfE's flagship NPQ for Headship (NPQH) to the Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship. This combination means learners concurrently earn two highly prestigious qualifications.
Support Staff Apprenticeships
The Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship is designed for those looking to become a specialist TA (in one of three pathways) and has at least one year of classroom experience.
Teacher Assistant (TA) Apprenticeship Level 3 is ideal for anyone already working as a TA, or looking for a career as a TA.
The Level 3 Teaching Assistant (TA) Apprenticeship with SEND is tailored for both current TAs and aspiring TAs, focusing on supporting students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Early Years Apprenticeships
The EYLP Level 5 apprenticeship is a work-based programme completed over 18-24 months. This training programme is designed for practitioners with leadership responsibilities within their setting. Equivalent to a Foundation degree.
The EYE Level 3 apprenticeship is a work-based programme completed over 15-18 months. An Early Years Educator (EYE) is responsible for planning and providing effective care for children aged 0-5 in various early years settings.
The EYP Level 2 apprenticeship is a work-based programme completed over 12-14 months. Entry level apprenticeship with no previous qualifications needed.
Ideal for private, voluntary and independent settings that work with children of any age but don't follow the EYFS curriculum. The Playworker Apprenticeship Level 2 equips learners with the skills to support child-led play, ensure safety, and work in various community settings.
Teacher Training Apprenticeship
The Teacher Apprenticeship is a funded school-based training programme designed to help those currently working in schools take the next step and become qualified teachers.
Successful completion of this programme will award Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship Qualification, which will qualify you to teach in all schools in England.
Coaching in Education
The Coaching in Education Apprenticeship Level 5 offers staff in schools the opportunity to develop as confident, evidence-informed coaches—rooted in the realities of education.
For Early Years professionals who coach others, formally or informally, and want to refine their practice. Gain a complete toolkit of proven coaching techniques – from active listening and structured feedback to goal setting and solution-focused conversations – all tailored to the Early Years context.
AI Practitioner for Schools Level 4 Apprenticeship
A fully funded apprenticeship that prepares school staff to coordinate the ethical and effective use of AI and automation across schools and trusts. The programme prepares apprentices for roles including AI Coordinator, AI Implementation Lead, Digital and AI Lead and Automation and Systems Lead.
Thrive Wellbeing Apprenticeships
Valued at £12,000 and equivalent to a foundation degree, this work-based training programme is ideal for experienced teaching assistants who are looking to advance their careers, take on more responsibility, and build expertise in social and emotional support for children and young people.
Valued at £9,000 and equivalent to a foundation degree, this work-based training programme empowers teachers, leaders and aspiring leaders to advance their leadership and management skills, while building the expertise to strategically implement the Thrive Approach within a class, department, setting or organisation.
Valued at £12,000, equivalent to a foundation degree, and best suited to those who have previously trained as Licensed Practitioners, this work-based programme is a great fit for experienced teaching assistants and other support staff who are looking to advance their careers, take on more responsibility, and build additional expertise in social and emotional support for children and young people.
Valued at £9,000, equivalent to a foundation degree, and best suited to those who have previously completed Licensed Practitioner training, this work-based programme empowers teachers, leaders and aspiring leaders to advance their leadership and management skills.