SENCO

Why study with us?

The National Award for SEN Co-ordination (NASC) is a one year programme which enables new and experienced SENCOs to enhance provision and outcomes for all children. NASC is now required as a qualification to work as a SENCO for all teachers who are new to the role from September 2009.

The programme at the University of Cumbria has a particular focus on good practice within schools and settings. The university will lead on teaching and learning within the academic framework of the award; this will be supplemented firstly by nine days of work shadowing opportunities in a range of special schools, units and specialist settings selected to complement the previous experience of the participant, and secondly, through support offered by a trained mentor within the school or setting of the course member, who will facilitate opportunities relevant to the academic and professional portfolio of the participant.

The course is delivered through distance learning and six face-to-face taught days. The face-to-face days are deliberately designed in two-day blocks so that the learning experience becomes purposeful and allows participants to actively engage in thinking with other professionals in the field. A range of guest speakers also provide real insights into a range of SEN issues. Participants have the opportunity to network and this has many benefits beyond the life of the course.

What can this course lead to?

In addition to the award, those completing the course will gain a Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) – the equivalent of a third of a Masters in Education.

Resources and facilities

Staff involved in the National Award for SEN Coordination are highly experienced, both in continuing professional development at M level, and in SEN. The latter includes expertise at Primary and Secondary level in the role of SENCO, and in working with pupils experiencing barriers to learning in cognition, communication, physical, and behavioural difficulties. The tutor team believes in innovative practice in teaching and learning, the development of the role of teacher as researcher, and the promotion of inclusive education that impacts on outcomes for all learners.

Entry requirements See course specific entry requirements listed below.

More about levels and credits

Credit and UCAS requirements Credit: 60 credits Selection criteria

An honours degree or equivalent from a recognised institution if you are a UK resident. EU and overseas applicants appropriate equivalence will apply. Applicants without standard qualifications must demonstrate:

• the capacity for theoretical debate
• a high level of motivation
• the capacity for independent study
• the ability to achieve the proposed programme of work

Students for whom English is not their first language must have achieved IELTS level six English language qualification.

All participants must be holders of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). They must also be holders of the post of SENCO; this can be either as a new SENCO, or as an experienced SENCO. The former is defined as ‘those who have taken up the lead SENCO responsibilities in their, or any other maintained school, within a total period of twelve months.’ The latter status will be for all other SENCOs. There will be an equal number of places in each cohort for both new and experienced SENCOs.

Costs

Click the links below to view information on your study type and residence status. If you are unsure of your status, please see the UKCISA website for more information.

Home students

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year is £1,275. This fee is due at the start of the course and may be paid by the student or a sponsor. Find out more about paying your tuition fees.

Alumni discount

Graduates from the University of Cumbria or any of its legacy institutions may be eligible for a 20% fee discount on postgraduate taught courses. This applies to your first postgraduate award to a maximum of 180 credits.

To be eligible, you must be a UK or EU graduate who studied at the University of Cumbria or a legacy institution for more than six months.

Please note that APL charges are not included in the discount.

For more information, please contact the Enquiry Centre.

SENCO funding

The Department of Education has confirmed 800 funded places on the National Award for SEN Co-ordination. The places will be allocated to eligible applicants via an online application process. For more information, visit www.education.gov.uk/sencotraining. The deadline for application is 17 July.

Scholarships and bursaries

National Scholarship Fund for teachers

Funding support may be available for your CPD training via the National Scholarship Fund for teachers. The National Scholarship Fund for teachers provides an opportunity to deepen your specialist or subject knowledge.

Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries

Postgrad Solutions Ltd is offering 13 bursaries across a number of subject areas. The bursaries are worth £500 each and are open to students from anywhere in the world.

To apply for a Postgrad Solutions bursary, visit their website.

EU students

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year is £1,275. This fee is due at the start of the course and may be paid by the student or a sponsor. Find out more about paying your tuition fees.

Alumni discount

Graduates from the University of Cumbria or any of its legacy institutions may be eligible for a 20% fee discount on postgraduate taught courses. This applies to your first postgraduate award to a maximum of 180 credits.

To be eligible, you must be a UK or EU graduate who studied at the University of Cumbria or a legacy institution for more than six months.

Please note that APL charges are not included in the discount.

For more information, please contact the Enquiry Centre.

International students

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year is £3,425. This fee is due at the start of the course and may be paid by the student or a sponsor. Find out more about international fees.

How to apply

Click on the 'Apply now' button at the top of this page and complete our online application form. Then please complete and return our further information form.

We will contact you by email with the decision on your application. If we are offering you a place, we will send you full instructions regarding what you need to do next.

Modules

Study is on a part time basis. A Flexible and Distributed Learning (FDL) pattern will be utilised, including six training days, extensive e-learning opportunities within the virtual learning environment, Blackboard, and individual tutorials. The course will normally be completed in one year.

Course summary

The purpose of this course is to enable participants to enhance provision and outcomes for all children, especially those with special educational needs and/or disability and our programme aims to provide a structured opportunity to widen knowledge and understanding of key issues, to develop and practise skills, and to reflect on the values and attitudes which will support SENCOs in their work.

The course is structured around three interweaving modules:

• The SENCO and the Child
• The SENCO and the School
• The SENCO as a Researcher.

It involves:

• One day of induction for participants and senior leaders/school-based mentors at the University of Cumbria campus, Lancaster or the Business and Innovation Centre in Sunderland
• Six days of face to face taught time in three two-day termly units
• Online tuition and discussion with the NASC learning community
• Leading school-based development at a strategic level in the participant’s own school

In line with the learning outcomes identified by the Teaching Agency, as a result of attending the course, participants will have:

• An up-to-date grasp of current thinking and the national picture
• Enhanced awareness of their own school SEN context and whole school priorities for development
• Strategic perspectives on the role of the SENCO in promoting the full range of inclusive practice
• Extended understanding of best practice based on working outside their own setting, developing relationships with key external agencies and stakeholders as well as researching their own practice
• Leadership skills and strategies to apply best practice to their own setting
• Confidence to influence the practice of others
• A secure basis for personal professional development and career progression
• A Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) – the equivalent of a third of a Masters in Education
• The relevant national award (NASC) to work as a SENCO, which will now be required of all teachers who are new to the role from September 2009

While the National Award is designed to promote the full inclusion of pupils with barriers to learning into schools and settings, by offering clear evidence of deliverable outcomes for schools and pupils, the course is also designed to support the professional development of holders of the role of SENCO. This post is likely to have an increasing importance within the structure of schools and settings, becoming both a clear route for career progression and, through the National Award, an important step towards the attainment of a Masters Degree.