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The National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs) is a legal requirement for SENCOs, new to post since 2009 in maintained mainstream schools, nurseries, academies, free schools and pupil referral units (PRUs). All schools have a legal duty to appoint a fully qualified teacher as their SENCO.

In the latest educational reform the special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years (2015), the government’s vision is that  ‘the provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities is the same as for all children and young people, that they achieve well in their early years, at school and in college, and lead happy and fulfilled lives.’

This code supports the Equality Act (2010) and the SALT Report (2010) which indicated that equality and educational outcomes are reliant upon a teaching workforce that is prepared for the diversity of mainstream and special school classrooms.

With the Special education and Disability Regulations, there is now an increasing need for teacher training and continual professional development that prepares teachers for the variety of needs that children and young people present. With the increasing demand for Special Education coordinators in Early Years settings, schools and other alternative education providers like Pupil Referral Units and further education colleges, this postgraduate qualification will meet that agenda.

There is a requirement for SENCOs in mainstream schools to hold qualified teacher status (QTS). The SENCo aspect of the programme, therefore, will apply only to those who hold the status. Those who wish to complete the programme without the status will in effect, only achieve the SEN and Inclusion aspect of the award (hence the bracketing of the award). 

Northumbria University is the largest North East provider of CPD in Education

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
1 year Part Time

Location
Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Fee Information

Module Information

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Entry Requirements 2023/24

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in a relevant subject.

Applicants must be in the role of Special Educational Needs Coordinator or Assistant Special Educational Needs Coordinator, and should either hold Qualified Teacher Status, or Qualified Teacher Learning Skills Status (or Early Years Teacher Status for those working in early years settings).

International qualifications:

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English language requirements:

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

 *The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS.  You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Fees and Funding 2023/24 Entry

Full UK Fee: £3,083

Full EU Fee: £5,833

Full International Fee: £5,833



Scholarships and Discounts

Click here for UK, EU and International scholarship, fees, and funding information.


ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

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* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

TE7074 -

SEND and Inclusion: Leading Practice in the School Environment (Core,30 Credits)

This module will give you the opportunity to explore issues, understandings and knowledge of Inclusive practice in the school setting to include that of children with special educational needs. You will engage in critical discourse with regard to pertinent issues of the Inclusion /SEN agenda.

You will examine the following topics:
• Key principles of inclusion: a whole school approach
• Leading and managing change.
• Legislation, policy and guidance on supporting learners and their families, parents and carers.
• Pedagogy/Education theory and approaches to delivery for diverse abilities and needs.
• SEND and models of disability
• Appraisal of recent research and implications for Classroom/School Practice
• Action research and professional scholarship
• Developing an emerging philosophy in an ever-changing world of education.

More information

TE7084 -

Multi-disciplinary Collaboration and Professional Development (Core,30 Credits)

On this module you will explore the following topics:
• The responsibilities of the SEN(D)Co within the statutory and regulatory context for SEND and disability equality
• The role of the SEN(D)Co in liaising with other professionals and schools / organisations.
• Co-ordinating a team and including all stakeholders to provide person- centred support for learners with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Team dynamics and continuous professional development
• Managing transitions
• An overview of the key characteristics of common impairments that children who are identified as having Special/additional learning needs might present with

More information

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

TE7074 -

SEND and Inclusion: Leading Practice in the School Environment (Core,30 Credits)

This module will give you the opportunity to explore issues, understandings and knowledge of Inclusive practice in the school setting to include that of children with special educational needs. You will engage in critical discourse with regard to pertinent issues of the Inclusion /SEN agenda.

You will examine the following topics:
• Key principles of inclusion: a whole school approach
• Leading and managing change.
• Legislation, policy and guidance on supporting learners and their families, parents and carers.
• Pedagogy/Education theory and approaches to delivery for diverse abilities and needs.
• SEND and models of disability
• Appraisal of recent research and implications for Classroom/School Practice
• Action research and professional scholarship
• Developing an emerging philosophy in an ever-changing world of education.

More information

TE7084 -

Multi-disciplinary Collaboration and Professional Development (Core,30 Credits)

On this module you will explore the following topics:
• The responsibilities of the SEN(D)Co within the statutory and regulatory context for SEND and disability equality
• The role of the SEN(D)Co in liaising with other professionals and schools / organisations.
• Co-ordinating a team and including all stakeholders to provide person- centred support for learners with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Team dynamics and continuous professional development
• Managing transitions
• An overview of the key characteristics of common impairments that children who are identified as having Special/additional learning needs might present with

More information

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.


All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

Full time Courses starting in 2023 are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but may include elements of online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.

 

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We continuously review and improve course content in consultation with our students and employers. To make sure we can inform you of any changes to your course register for updates on the course page.


Your Learning Experience

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

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northumbria.ac.uk/terms

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northumbria.ac.uk/fees

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northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

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northumbria.ac.uk/complaints

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* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

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