National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (DL) PgCert

Study around work commitments. Advance your own skills as a leader and reflect on how to develop the teams you work with. Enhance your teaching and learning for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities.

North East Postgraduate Discount

Overview

On completion of this qualification you will have qualified SENCO Status and the understanding to meet the requirements of this pivotal role in school provision. All SENCOs must have this qualification within three years of accepting the role so it is ideal for both new and aspiring SENCOs.

The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (DfE, 2014) requires governing bodies of maintained mainstream schools and the proprietors of academy schools (including free schools) to ensure that there is a qualified teacher designated as Special Educational Needs (SEN) co-ordinator (SENCO) for the school. Where a SENCO appointed after 1 September 2008 has not previously been the SENCO at that or any other relevant school for a total period of more than 12 months, they must achieve the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination within three years of appointment.

NASCO logo

Why us?

The course is recognised as meeting the quality standards by NASEN (National Association for Special Educational Needs)

Focused on school improvement which has a direct impact on meeting the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities

Course structure

The PgCert NASENCO course is for professionals who have an interest in meeting the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

The SENCO course has been designed to fit around work commitments and is taught via distance learning under the guidance and support of the Programme Leader and Module Leaders.

You will be assessed with a portfolio of practice evidence to demonstrate your achievement of the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination learning outcomes. There are a range of assessments including a small scale practitioner enquiry and a critical incident which will support you in developing your practice using reflection and evidence-based research.

This course is made up of two 30-credit modules, both of which are at national level 7 (masters). When you graduate you will have a Postgraduate Certificate in either:

National Award Special Educational Needs Coordination, or
National Award Special Educational Needs Coordination 0-5 (for EYTS/EYPS)

Core modules:

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

Deepen your understanding of the benefits and challenge of a range of interventions for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including those who are gifted and talented. Investigate and evaluate current educational policy and practice in inclusive education and the impact on pupil participation and outcomes. Critically reflect on national policies and legislation and how these are implemented at school level. Engage with relevant theory, research, and inspection evidence in order to evaluate the effectiveness of a range of interventions. Explore how the learning of children and young people is impacted by issues such as socio-economic background, ethnicity, looked after and adopted, and language and communication.

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

Examine how to strategically develop person-centred and inclusive policies, priorities, and practices in relation to the provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Investigate, evaluate, and reflect on the characteristics of highly effective leadership, and reflect on the effectiveness of current school systems. Explore the role of leadership and professional challenge in supporting and promoting a culture of professional learning linked to improvement. Engage with relevant theory and research in order to disseminate aspects of good practice to senior leadership, governors, colleagues, and other organisations.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

More about PgCert National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (DL) at Sunderland

Discover more articles

Yes

As a distance learning student, you'll be able to remotely access online journals, articles and e-books. Opportunities are also provided for continual online support and tutorials from both qualified librarians and your course tutor.

The library team offer real-time online help through ‘Live Chat’ at various periods throughout the day and they also offer online tutorials to help you make the most of our electronic resources.

To find out more information, visit our University Library website.
Library Services - distance learning

Facilities

This distance learning course can be studied from anywhere in the world. You'll need internet access to use our Virtual Learning Environment, where you will access specially designed learning materials, e-books, e-journals, relevant websites and multimedia.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

Qualification	Minimum grade
a Canadian bachelor's degree	GPA 2.40
a USA bachelor's degree	GPA 2.5

If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.

If you have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) you will qualify to be SENCO for all children and young people.

If you have Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYTS) or Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) you will qualify to be SENCO for children 0-5 years.

Before applying please note:

Along with your application form, you must upload the following documents on application:

Degree and or PGCE certificate
QTS/QTLS/EYTS/EYPS certificate
Support letter from your education or care setting stating they are in agreement with you undertaking the course

Applicants from Ireland will need to have Qualified Teacher Status as recognised in England.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

The annual fee is £2,040.

Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

All maintained mainstream schools, academies and free schools must have a qualified teacher who is designated as the Special Educational Needs Coordinator for the school. As a SENCO, you will provide leadership and professional guidance to your colleagues and the school.

As a SENCO in a mainstream school, you are legally required to gain a National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination within three years of taking the post. This course meets that legal requirement. It delivers the learning outcomes required by the National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) for the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination.

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Education and Society.

Page last updated: 15 March 2023

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