The National Award for SEN Co-ordination

The National Award for SEN Co-ordination is a compulsory course for teachers who wish to gain accreditation for the nationally approved training for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs), leading to the National Award for SEN Coordination qualification.

How is the training delivered?

The SENCO programme is delivered jointly between the University and eight Local Authorities (Derby City/Derbyshire, Leicester City & Rutland, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, and Nottingham City) with whom we work in partnership. The programme includes:

• Two modules each worth 30 Level 7 credits at M Level
• Face to face taught sessions in regional centres across the East Midlands (approx 6 ½ days in total spread across the academic year 2012 -2013)
• Online support - discussion groups, networking, online assignment support, electronic resource bank
• Mentor support and development of a Personal Learning Portfolio

What do you need to do?

1. Register your interest with The University of Northampton. This information will not be used for any other purpose than updating you on this SEN award.
   
2. SENCOs who meet the eligibility criteria* should register online via the Teaching Agency's website from 5pm on Friday 18 May 2012.  Please note that although this website link is currently "live", the information on this page will not be updated until the date and time indicated. The online registration form there asks for your name, email address, teaching reference number, school name and school URN.  You will also have to choose your provider (The University of Northampton) and indicate that your Head teacher is supporting you. Please have this information ready.
3. When all of the 1000 funded places available nationally have been filled, the training providers will be notified by the Department for Education, Teaching Agency, and expected to notify applicants of the outcome by 22 June.
   

Important please read:  Registering on the Department for Education website will not guarantee you a funded place. The date and time will be used to determine which 1000 applications have been received first (first come, first served) which meet the Teaching Agency's eligibility criteria.  The criteria can be found on our website*.

SENCOS who are not eligible for TA funding* are also welcome to apply for a place on the course. The cost will be £1,300 (this does not include supply cover).

For further information please contact education@northampton.ac.uk and we will do our best to help you.

What are the overall aims for the course?

• Meet the learning outcomes in the TA course specification
• Promote leadership in coordinating provision for pupils with SEN and/or disabilities in their schools
• Critically examine theories of learning and pedagogy in order to raise the achievement of children and young people with SEN and/or disabilities
• Develop skills in supporting and managing other staff to ensure that pupils with SEN receive high quality educational provision

How is the programme organised?

All course participants will be required to complete an audit against the TA Learning Outcomes to inform programme planning. In certain circumstances if participants are able to clearly demonstrate that they meet some of the TA learning outcomes then they might be exempt from some teaching sessions, but in practice even our most experienced participants have found the content has updated their knowledge and practice.

The National Award for SEN Co-ordination (Module 1)

The focus within this module will be on developing students' understanding of specific aspects of the managerial role of the SENCO in relation to:

• The planning of teaching and learning
• The assessment and recording process
• The effective deployment of staff and resources
• Developing effective partnerships with parents, support personnel and  external agencies

The National Award for SEN Co-ordination (Module 2)

The focus within this module will be on developing students' understanding of the strategic role undertaken by the SENCO in the following areas:

• Whole school development and planning
• Managing and leading staff, including support for the SEN Governor and SMT
• Supporting the professional development of staff, including newly qualified teachers (NQTs) and teaching assistants (TAs)
• Managing and facilitating change in relation to SEN development
• Leading curriculum development to support inclusive strategies and approaches

How is the course assessed?

You will need to complete two work-based assignments, one per module. These are in the form of a case study and school improvement project (5,000 words equivalent for each assignment). In addition you will be asked to prepare a personal learning portfolio of evidence against the TA learning outcomes; this will not be part of the formal assessment but it will be moderated to ensure that you have met all of the TA learning outcomes.  Much of your portfolio of evidence will be drawn from policies, procedures and systems that you will need to have in place as part of your role.

We understand the workload that SENCOs currently face whilst studying, and assessment items reflect the work that SENCOs undertake within their everyday duties and will assist strategic development in their own institution.