Postgraduate Certificate in National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination

Program Overview

The program emphasizes collaboration, reflection, and critical thinking, preparing graduates for leadership roles in supporting students with SEN.

Program Outline

The program equips participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively support students with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities. It aligns with the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (DfE, 2014), which mandates qualified teachers to be designated as SENCOs in mainstream schools and proprietors of academy schools. This course fulfills the legal requirement for those appointed after September 1st, 2008, who haven't served as SENCOs for more than 12 months previously, to achieve the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination within three years of appointment.

Objectives:

• Provide participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively support students with SEN and disabilities.
• Develop participants' understanding of the benefits and challenges associated with various interventions for students with SEN.
• Equip participants with the ability to critically evaluate current educational policies and practices in inclusive education.
• Enable participants to reflect on national policies and legislation and their implementation at the school level.
• Foster the application of relevant theory, research, and inspection evidence to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
• Enhance participants' understanding of the impact of various factors like socio-economic background, ethnicity, looked-after and adopted status, and language and communication on student learning.
• Equip participants with the skills to strategically develop person-centered and inclusive policies, priorities, and practices for students with SEN and disabilities.
• Encourage participants to investigate, evaluate, and reflect on the characteristics of highly effective leadership within the context of SEN.
• Enable participants to explore the role of leadership and professional challenge in promoting a culture of professional learning and improvement.
• Empower participants to engage with relevant theory and research to disseminate good practice to senior leadership, governors, colleagues, and other organizations.

Program Description:

This program offers a blend of on-campus learning and distance learning. Classes take place over six Saturdays at the University of Sunderland, with an additional school-led day. The program utilizes the University's Virtual Learning Environment for assignments and communication with tutors. Upon successful completion, graduates receive a Postgraduate Certificate in either:

• National Award Special Educational Needs Coordination, or

The Special Educational Needs Coordinator as the Professional Guide (30 credits)

• Explores interventions for pupils with SEN and disabilities, including gifted and talented students.
• Investigates and evaluates current educational policies and practices in inclusive education and their impact on pupil participation and outcomes.
• Critically analyzes national policies and legislation and their implementation at the school level.
• Examines relevant research and inspection evidence to assess the effectiveness of various interventions.
• Explores the impact of factors like socio-economic background, ethnicity, looked-after and adopted status, and language and communication on student learning.

The Special Educational Needs Coordinator as the Leader (30 credits)

• Focuses on strategically developing person-centered and inclusive policies, priorities, and practices for pupils with SEN and disabilities.
• Investigates, evaluates, and reflects on the characteristics of highly effective leadership.
• Explores the role of leadership and professional challenge in promoting a culture of professional learning and improvement.
• Engages with relevant theory and research to disseminate good practice to senior leadership, governors, colleagues, and other organizations.

Assessment:

Assessment for the program involves a portfolio of practice evidence demonstrating the achievement of the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination learning outcomes. The assessments include a small-scale practitioner enquiry and a critical incident analysis.

Teaching:

The program combines lectures, workshops, seminars, and group discussions, allowing participants to actively engage with the content and share their experiences. The teaching staff comprises experienced and qualified professionals with expertise in SEN and inclusive education. It provides the necessary skills and knowledge to take on leadership roles in supporting students with SEN and disabilities. The program opens up potential career opportunities in various educational settings, including:

• SENCO positions in mainstream schools and academies
• SENCO roles in special schools
• Educational consultant roles specializing in SEN
• Research positions related to SEN and inclusive education
• Policy advisory roles in educational organizations
• Advocacy roles for children and young people with SEN

Other:

The program emphasizes the importance of collaboration, reflection, and critical thinking in supporting students with SEN. Participants are encouraged to engage actively in their learning, share their experiences, and contribute to the development of a supportive learning community. The program also provides opportunities for networking with other professionals in the field and building connections that can benefit their future careers.