Course summary
The PGCert Education: National Award for Special Educational Needs (SEN) Co-ordination is a mandatory qualification for all newly appointed SENCos. It must be completed within three years of your SENCo appointment. The government is committed to improving outcomes for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEN/D). SENCos play a central role in schools to ensure that:
- effective provision is made for children with special educational needs and disability (SEN/D)
- and that the needs of individual learners are met.
Modules
Compulsory modules Professional Knowledge and Understanding for SEND (20 credits) Module 1 gives you an in-depth analysis of the professional knowledge and understanding that you need to be an effective Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo). You’ll have an overview of the statutory and regulatory context for SEN/Disability and the implications for practice in schools and other settings. You’ll also consider how the SENCo can help to develop a positive ethos, and promote a broad and balanced curriculum for all pupils. Improving Outcomes for Learners with SEND (20 credits) Module 2 focuses on ways to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. You’ll explore a range of high incidence areas of SEND, with an emphasis on quality-first teaching, the whole school ethos, and class teachers taking responsibility for children with SEND. You’ll also look at the importance of the SENCo working with senior colleagues and governors to promote a whole-school culture of high expectations and best practice. Leading and Coordinating Provision for SEND (20 credits) Module 3 focuses on the professional qualities needed for effective SENCo leadership. You’ll investigate staff deployment along with OFSTED frameworks, the mediation process and embedding SEND policy across the school. You’ll also undertake a small-scale project, with a focus on planning for and leading change effectively in your own setting.
Assessment method
Module assessments will include reflective commentaries based on online discussions, essays, presentations and an SEN development project. Completion of the three modules leads to the PGCert. To attain the full National Award for SENCO, you must also present a portfolio of evidence from your practice, demonstrating that you have met all the 49 learning outcomes specified by the National College for Teaching and Leadership.
How to apply
International applicants
This course is not available to students classed as International for fees purposes.
Entry requirements
All applicants must have one of the following: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Qualified Teacher Learning Status (QTLS) Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS). Please note that Students with (EYTS) will gain NASENCO applicable only to Early Years settings. The National Award for Special Educational Needs (SEN) Coordination is a mandatory course for new SENCOs and the award must be achieved within 3 years of being appointed. All school staff in the role of SENCo will have completed the NQT induction period in full before applying (SEND Regs 2014). An additional entry requirement is that the support of the Head Teacher (or equivalent) is required in order to support the school-based studies associated with this qualification Please contact the Programme Administrator at [email protected] to make an enquiry about the course.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £2900 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £2900 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £2900 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £2900 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
Provider information
Oxford Brookes University
Gipsy Lane
Headington
Oxford
OX3 0BP