Course summary

This course is a progression route if you are a graduate of an FdA Professional Practice in Special Educational Needs and Disability (or similar award), and have current and relevant experience, of working sector. This course will equip you with a critical understanding of sociological, psychological and philosophical values that shape Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). The course explores policy and practice in SEND, in different educational, cultural and social settings. It promotes your appreciation of the need for inclusive, relevant and ever-changing teaching strategies to meet diverse learning needs. You will be challenged to consider interpretations and responses to needs in practice, seeking solutions and opportunities to advocate for change. You will develop knowledge and understanding of different needs and acquire skills in meeting these, through examining theory and engaging in research. Typical entrants to the course will be working practitioners within the sector. The programme is offered through distance-learning, thus enabling you to participate alongside your regular, ongoing employment in the sector. As a distance learner you will take greater ownership of your study, being responsible for your learning as an independent and self-directed student. The modular structure and varied design of the course supports you in accessing, utilising and becoming confident with online study materials. It is anticipated that you will spend at least 6 hours per week engaging in learning activities. You will be supported through online contact with tutors at BGU and will have access to BGU’s wider services such as digital learning development, electronic resources and online study skills materials. The programme is offered through distance-learning, thus enabling you to participate alongside your regular, ongoing employment in the sector. As a distance learner you will take greater ownership of your study,being responsible for your learning as an independent and self-directed student. The modular structure and varied design of the course supports you in accessing, utilising and becoming confident with online study materials. It is anticipated that you will spend at least 6 hours per week engaging in learning activities. You will be supported through online contact with tutors at BGU and will have access to BGU’s wider services such as digital learning development, electronic resources and online study skills materials. As access to our Virtual Learning Environment and other learning tools is via a modern web browser such as Firefox or Chrome, you will require access to a computer with reliable internet connectivity. It is also recommended to have access to an office productivity package (such as Microsoft Office) and the ability to read and create PDF files. You will be entitled to a free copy of the Microsoft Office suite for the duration of your studies. Each assessment task on this course promotes deep engagement with the subject and, in particular, the interplay between theory and practice. The assessment methods take account of needs of distance learners, maximising access to available resources through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and associated applications. You will haveopportunities to use multi-media alongside more orthodox techniques of written assignment, portfolio and project reports, also achievable online. Graduating students of our existing SEND courses have gone on to Initial Teacher Training and/or continued in higher education. In addition to careers in education and ultimately special educational needs, graduates in this particular subject are also well-placed to develop careers in research-based settings, local authority provision, private sector educational providers, social care settings or within the voluntary sector. Find out more: https://www.bishopg.ac.uk/course/sendiprac/