Managing the Role of the SENCo

A Unique Opportunity...

To develop your knowledge, skills and understanding for this key role and its contribution to whole school:

Practical: The focus is on what and how to fulfill this demanding role
Flexible: You may choose to take a qualification or not
Personalised: It is about adapting the course to fit your work context and situation
Supportive: It develops a positive, 'can do' attitude
Professional: It opens opportunities for career development

Who will benefit from the course?

This course is of real benefit to a variety of people including:

SEN & LDD/Learning support co-ordinators
Aspiring SENCos
Learning support teachers
Learning support assistants

Module one is now fully booked. Please contact the office to join the waiting list info@learning-works.org.uk

Download Module 1 Flyer

Managing the Role of the SENCo

Fil Came and Rachel Copeland are the lead tutors. And the course, which has been attended by teachers from over 300 independent and international schools, combines Fil's extensive experience training SENCos and learning support staff with Rachel's detailed practitioner's knowledge and leadership skills.

This advanced diploma receives the support of the ISC's expert group for SEN and is in line with the latest DCSF regulations. It is comprised of the following modules which may be completed in any order:

Module 1: Managing Policy and Practice - Recruiting now for 12 & 13 October 2011 and 5 & 6 March 2012
Module 2: Managing Pupil Learning - dates to be confirmed

During the four days you will receive presentations, analyse video, take part in discussions and undertake a number of group tasks. You will also be asked to complete a small task before the course so that you are well prepared. The four days have a clear structure (see module 1 or module 2 for details) that responds and adapts to the to the needs and interests of the course members.

The course promotes a positive view of the SENCo as a key manager working across the whole school community. The programme enables participants to develop their professional skills and to reflect upon and critically analyse the wider issues with regard to managing the additional resources and support for children causing concern with their learning.

Places are also available for people who do not wish to take the Advanced Diploma.

Advanced Diploma in Managing the Role of the SENCo

This Advanced Diploma course Managing the Role of the SENCo is accredited by the University of Worcester. It is comprised of the following two modules which may be completed in any order:

Module 1: Policy and Practice

Module 2: Managing Pupil Learning

Study support from Learning Works

You will receive:

Comprehensive course notes and handouts from presenters
Practical distance-learning workbook
Memory stick with substantial number of readings, articles, and practical resources
Email, telephone and Skype contact with your tutor
Membership to the Learning Works course forums and resource website area

University support

You will receive:

Student handbook
Student ID card
Individual university web and network account
Individual 'sole' account
Access to blackboard - online learning resources
University email account
Full access to library resources

Places are also available for people who do not want to take the Advanced Diploma.

Fil Came

Fil is a co-founder of Learning Works, a leading UK Educational Consultancy. He is a respected teacher trainer and works regularly for IAPs, ISA and IPD and continues to tutor individual students.

Fil has published several books in the field of SEN and learning skills. These include Memory Trainers, Learning Styles and the Learning Toolkit. In addition he co-authored with Anne Henderson the best selling Working with Dyscalculia and with Gavin Reid, ‘CAP It All! – A Practical Manual for Assessing Individual Needs’. The latest publication is entitled ‘Managing SEN and LDD in Independent Schools’, which he co authored with Rachel.

Rachel Copeland

Rachel Cropped 1.jpg

Rachel is Director of Learning Development at Sevenoaks Prep School and brings an invaluable range of practical experience to the course. This has been gained from working as a class teacher in mainstream schools, from running Literacy Enrichment courses for gifted and talented pupils in conjunction with Sevenoaks School and the Sutton Trust, from a parent’s view of the SEN system and most particularly from her ten years of experience as a Prep School SENCO.

Module 1: Managing Policy and Practice

Module 1 aims to develop the SENCo or Learning Support Coordinator’s skills as an effective and efficient manager of the school's provision for the wide range of pupils with LDD/SEN in independent schools. This unique course will give you the knowledge and confidence to cope with new and ever changing legislation. A whole school approach underpins this module and throughout examples of good practice, policy and organisation are drawn from the independent sector for critical examination.

Module one is now fully booked. Please contact the office to join the waiting list info@learning-works.org.uk

Download Module 1 Flyer

Part One - 12th & 13th October 2011

Part 1 focuses on understanding and then interpreting the existing statutory framework for SEN and the new Equality Act 2010 for implementation within an independent school context. We will also keep track of the emerging White Paper for SEN as it follows the legislative timetable. In doing so it will seek to clarify jargon, dispel a few myths and help to prioritise work. Above all it will encourage participants to acknowledge and accept the role of the SENCo as a key manager working across the whole school.

Day 1 - 0930-1630: NEW DIRECTIONS AND MODELS FOR LEARNING SUPPORT

Registration, welcome and group activity
National update – Green Paper, Equality Act, Independent Curriculum
The role of the ‘SENCO’: what kind of a SENCO would you like to be?
Modelling, Managing and Mapping whole school provision
Introduction to reading material
Introduction to coursework Q’s & A’s

DAY 2 - 0930-1600: WHOLE SCHOOL POLICY & PROVISION

Writing SEN policy
Mapping your provision & making the most of ICT
Making the paperwork work for you
Time management and managing meetings
Working with parents
Coursework

Part Two - 5th & 6th March 2012

Part 2 explores the managerial and personal skills required to be an effective manager. Participants will be offered a fascinating insight into their management style as well as a host of practical strategies, suggestions and support to enable the busy SENCo to cope with the pressures of the job.

Day 3 - 0930-1600: MANAGEMENT SKILLS

My management style
Managing change
Collaborative working: My course project and group work
Coursework guidelines General Qs & As

Day 4 - 0930-1600: LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Monitoring & evaluating policy
Development planning
Preparing for Inspection
Reflection & questions
Coursework

Module 2: Managing Pupil Learning

Module 2 focuses on the SENCo as a key resource and source of curriculum advice and leadership. It seeks to develop the SENCo as a confident and knowledgeable manager, fully capable of running a support system that can identify, assess and provide for individual pupils. Experienced practitioners from prep and senior schools will offer different whole school models for participants to discuss and compare.

Module 2 will be running from October 2012 and into 2013

Day One: Managing whole school provision

Learning Support – Sharing contexts and developments
Defining SEN: Nation Reviews, Codes of Practice for SEN and Disability
Learning Support in an independent school
What’s in a label? Identifying Individual Needs
Course Assignments - focus on pupils study

Day Two: Assessing Individual Needs

Questions and Comments from Day One
An overview of tests used by psychologists and commercially available standardised tests
Basic statistical principles, Reliability and validity, Using the right test
Test administration, test results and confidentiality
Quality learning first – Meeting individual needs in the classroom
Working with pupils and parents – practical implications of the Lamb Report
Course Assignments – focus on presentation to school colleagues

Day Three: ‘Specific Learning Difficulties’

Dyslexia: how theory informs good practice
Dyspraxia and practical ideas for support
Dyscalculia Overview & The NFER-Nelson Screener for Dyscalculia and the AWMA
Sharing favourite resources
Working with Speech and Language Therapists in school
Tutoring

Day Four: Difficult and challenging behaviour

Making school a positive place for pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorders/Conditions
Art Therapy Intervention for pupils with behavioural, social and emotional difficulties
Challenging Behaviour – What’s happening in our schools?
Troubled or Troublesome? Understanding ADHD
Assignments

“This is one of the best short courses I have attended in terms of meeting its stated aims and having material that accurately matches the course content. It is also good value as all the content was directly relevant for me not just the usual one or two sessions in other courses.”
St Martin's School, Middlesex

"I could really feel the passion that Fil has for SEN and how he is so willing to share his expertise with everyone else."
Stover School, Devon

“I loved the course. Not a moment of it was wasted on me and I really enjoyed the intensity of it. The opportunity to meet so many other wonderful people in similar positions to myself, bond with them and support one another was undoubtedly the most positive aspect for me.”
British School of Gran Canaria

"Fil has a knowledge of his subject which is endless! He shares this with pleasure and wit which you can't fail to enjoy."
Ashford Friars Prep School, Kent

"Rachel is a true inspiration and role model for us all female or male!"
British School, Berlin

"Excellent overall training which is carefully tailored to the independent sector and the opportunity to meet colleagues doing the job of SENCo in different school. Very clear presentation of complex issues with ability to highlight and draw together the important themes."
Ewell Castle Junior School, Surrey

Uplands House, High Wycombe

Nestled in the Chilterns countryside on 18 acres of landscaped gardens overlooking the Hughenden Valley, Uplands House is an ideal place to be inspired, away from the daily bustle of the office.

Need to Know

9 meeting rooms and 14 syndicate rooms
Main rooms offering natural daylight and a maximum capacity of 110 in our marquee
74 en suite bedrooms, free high speed internet access, TV with Sky Channels, DDI Telephones, tea and coffee tray
Free internet access throughout
LCD, plasma TVs and audio-visual equipment
Restaurant and bar
Refreshment stations providing free-flowing cappuccino, lattes, tea, mineral water, biscuits and fresh fruit Internet cafe
Lots of space and fresh air to enjoy team building
Leisure activities including Mini-gym, pitch & putt, table tennis, tennis courts, croquet
120 parking spaces

Venue Website: http://www.devere.co.uk/our-locations/uplands-house.html

Fees for Module 1

You are able to attend this CPD course as a full-time diploma student or as a full/part-time non-diploma delegate to suit your interests and professional needs. You will be able to choose your preferred option by clicking on the Book Now icon. (Term and Conditions)

Option 1 - Non accredited choices
Full four day course:
£550.00 + VAT (£110.00) = £660.00

Part-time attendance per day:
£137.50 + VAT (£25.00) = £165.00

Option 2 - Full time and accredited
Full four day course with accreditation including university fees, tutoring, resources and marking for the University Advanced Diploma in Managing the role of the SENCo Module 1 'Policy and Practice'
£800.00 + VAT (160.00) = £960.00

Download Module 1 Flyer and Application Form