The National Award for SEN Coordination

For SENCO training you are required to successfully complete the two following modules (30 credits each) to receive a Post-graduate Certificate (60 credits) and meet all the requirements of the National SEN Coordination award.

It is also possible to continue to complete the full Masters programme (180 credits).

Postgraduate certificate details (60 credits)

The fees: £1,123 for each module

Total £2,246 for 2015-16

Attendance: Six taught days per module, plus a Conference in November at UCL, IOE.

Assessment: Practitioner based assignment of five thousand words

Programme leader: Gill Brackenbury

Programme administrator: Tina Catchpole

Entrance qualification: 2:2 or above plus QTS or equivalent

Post-graduate course requirements:

·  to undertake your own private study and reading.

·  Complete two assignments (one at least practitioner based) (4-5000 words each)

·  Mentoring from your school or service to ensure the learning outcomes are being met.

·  a signed letter from your head teacher agreeing for you to undertake all the requirements of the SENCO course.

Module 1 Developing Special Educational Needs Co-ordination:

Improving Learning and Teaching

This module focuses on the role of the special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) in the classroom context. It aims to provide participants with enhanced knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation/guidance, in the areas of SEN and disability awareness, and theoretical frameworks for assessment, teaching and learning.Issues of special and inclusive education policy and practice relevant to the role of the SENCO will be discussed.

The course will provide opportunities for participants to enhance their skills and competency in critiquing and analysing debates, effectively using observation and assessment data, promoting curriculum access and progress for all pupils and planning and working collaboratively in classroom contexts.Personal reflection and self-evaluation will be fundamental to the module.This module is worth 30 credits on completion of a 4-5000 word assignment reporting on a piece of classroom-based research.

MODULE 1 ASSESSMENT

Project and Written Report (4000-5000 words)

Consider an aspect of identifying, assessing and planning to meet the special

educational needs of a group of pupils in your setting, e.g. the provision for

(a group of) pupils with dyslexia/ESBD/ADHD/any other learning difficulty or disability.

Critically analyse the current teaching and learning provision, commenting on its strengths and weaknesses. Use relevant legislation, guidance and published research to evaluate the professional practice in your setting, illustrate your discussion of the topic, explore ideas and compare and contrast approaches.

You will need to work in partnership with colleagues on this.

Either:

a) Carry out an innovation and comment on its success or limitations or

b) Make recommendations for a new approach*.

It is most important that you reflect on what you have learnt and consider how the

change will impact on your school/setting and on your own future practice.

In very rare circumstances, if you are unable to carry out an intervention, you must suggest alternative approaches to current practice, with reference to your reading.

Module 2 Developing SEN Coordination: Leading and Managing Change

This module will focus on the roles and responsibilities of the special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) in developing and implementing whole school policy for SEN. The course aims to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to apply conceptual and theoretical frameworks to the critical understanding of professional policy and practice and to map provision of resources and strategies for SEN based on evidence from empirical research. There will be analysis of different theoretical models of leading and managing change. The course will provide opportunities for participants to enhance their skills and develop competency in consulting and negotiating with pupils, parents/carers and colleagues, the management of time and the responsibilities of SENCO.

Participants will be helped to develop their skills in the use of quantitative and qualitative data analysis to pupil progress and the effectiveness of provision. Reflecting on personal learning and exchanging views and experiences will be integral to the module. It is worth 30 credits on completion of a 4-5000-word assignment reporting on the critical examination and development of one aspect of policy or practice relating to either disability access or the inclusion of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities.

MODULE 2 ASSESSMENT

Project and Written Report (4000-5000 words)

Critically examine one aspect of the policy/practice in your school/setting in relation to either disability access or inclusion of pupils with LDD. Analyse this area of work, using one or more models of change management, making reference to a range of relevant literature and government documentation. Make recommendations for future development in this area. Critically reflect on what you have learnt and how this may impact on your setting.


To meet the programme requirements you need

·  to be able to identify and develop effective practice in teaching pupils with SEN and/or disabilities e.g. through small-scale practitioner research based on evaluating methodologies, developing critiques and, where appropriate, developing new hypotheses; (see assignment requirements).

·  to demonstrate that those learning outcomes that are not demonstrated in the written assignment, are demonstrated in your school/setting.

·  to find a mentor from your school or service to ensure the learning outcomes are being met.

·  MUST have a signed letter from your head agreeing for you to undertake all the requirements of the SENCO course.

Dates

Module 1 dates for 2015-2016 Ealing SENCo Cohort 2:

Day 1 / 24th September 2015 (09:30-16:30) at Ealing Education Centre
Day 2 / 15th October 2015 (09:30-16:300 at Ealing Education Centre
IOE SENCo Conference / 12th NOVEMBER 2015 at IOE
Day 3 / 26th November 2015 (09:30-16:30) at Ealing Education Centre
Day 4 / 8th December 2015 (09:30-16:30) at Ealing Education Centre
Day 5 / 7th January 2016 ((09:30-16:30) at Ealing Education Centre
Day 6 / 21st January 2016 (09:30-16:30) at Ealing Education Centre

Module 2 dates for 2016 Ealing Cohort 2:

Day 1 / 14th March 2016 (09:30-16:30) at Ealing Education Centre
Day 2 / 22nd March 2016 (09:30-16:30) at Ealing Education Centre
Day 3 / 14th April 2016 (09:30-16:30) at Ealing Education Centre
Day 4 / 5th May 2016 (09:30-16:30) at Ealing Education Centre
Day 5 / 17th May 2016 (09:30-16:30) at Ealing Education Centre
Day 6 / 9th June 2016 (09:30-16:30) at Ealing Education Centre

If you wish to apply, please complete the online application form through UKPASS found on the IOE website.

For further information please email Tina Catchpole .