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Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs) National Award

Home | Course Finder | Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs) National Award

This course is a fully funded training programme which leads to The National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination. The taught programme lasts a year with a further two years to complete all the requirements.

SENCOs new to role this year are required to gain this award. 20 TDA fully funded places will be available at the University of Worcester for January 2010 and a further 20 for September 2010.

The course combines a work-based strand which is driven by the set Learning Outcomes of the National Award and a professional learning strand which leads to a Postgraduate Certificate worth 60 credits at Master’s level (equivalent to one third of a Masters degree).

Schools must give the University an assurance that they will support the applicant by releasing her/him with supply cover for any taught sessions. They should also provide support for the completion of in-school tasks and self-directed study.

A limited number of non-funded places are available to experienced SENCOs. However, while the University may in this case offer a partial subsidy of course fees (the first module only), no supply cover will be available and schools will be expected to find alternative sources of funding.

• Entry Requirements
• Modules
• Assessment
• Fees

• Have QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) and have completed your induction year.
• Be working in a mainstream school. This includes community, foundation and voluntary aided schools as well as academies and maintained nurseries. You may be a headteacher or acting head who is also SENCO.
• Be employed on a permanent or fixed term contract which covers the period of the course.

For courses which start in January 2010, you must also, at September 1 2009, have:

• Been in post for less than 12 months (at your present or any previous eligible schools).

For courses beginning in September 2010, you must have: been in post for no less than 12 months (at your present or previous schools) at the time of starting the course or in post as SENCO for less than 12 months, but unable to take up a nationally approved course in September 09 or January 2010.

• You should not have previously taken or enrolled in the SENCO course.

What is involved in the work-based strand?
SENCOs will build their skills, knowledge and understanding in the following areas:

• Professional context
• Strategic development of SEN policy and procedures
• Coordinating provision
• Leading, developing and supporting colleagues
• Working in partnership with pupils, families and other professionals

What is involved in the professional learning strand?
In order to meet the professional learning requirements at Master’s level, SENCOs will engage in critical reflective practice, choosing to complete two tasks taken from the following:

• A Portfolio with supporting critical reflections which demonstrate a deep understanding of professional learning in relation to the set learning outcomes;
• A Presentation which demonstrates critical engagement with the subject, e.g. leading staff training in some aspect of specialised curriculum provision;
• A Case Study which evolves around the in-depth study of a single event or a series of linked cases.

Each SENCO will attend six taught sessions covering the most important aspects of fulfilling the SENCO role followed by a further four days of mentored and self-directed study, all of which are fully funded. Each SENCO will have a mentor who will support them in meeting the Learning Outcomes and compiling their Professional Development Portfolio. Professional tutors will support each SENCO in completing their professional learning tasks.

Much of the learning will take place in schools, and local authority venues. Early on in the training programme, some events will be held centrally at the University.

The award is fully funded for those meeting the eligibility criteria designated by the TDA (see above). Fees and supply costs will be covered to an equivalent of 10 days per participant. Experienced SENCOs who have QTS, but who are not eligible for TDA fully funded option will pay £820 in fees (not including the 10 days supply costs). This includes a University subsidy of one third.