Advanced Diploma 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

Managing the Role of the SENCo

The government’s radical reform of provision for children and young people with special educational needs means that this is an ideal time to participate in this course. The course programme is very practical and grounded, through the school focussed assignments, in the working context of each participant. It is in line with the DfE’s National Award and will enable 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.

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 - October 2013 & February 2014

Download a flyer for Module 1

Module 2: Managing Pupil Learning - Bookings will begin October 2014

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.

Course Tutor

Fil Came, Learning Works

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.

Additional Course Presenters

Hélène Cohen – Role of the SENCo

Hélène Cohen is currently AENCo at St Lawrence College Junior School, in Kent, working with pupils from Nursery to Year 7. As AENCo, her work covers all aspects of additional needs, including Gifted and Talented and English as an Additional Language, as well as Learning Difficulties and Disabilities. With over 25 years of teaching experience, Hélène has taught in a range of schools, including mainstream primary and secondary, MLD and Dyslexia Provision in secondary school.

Heather Baker – Whole School Policy

Heather has worked for the last 12 years at one of the largest all boys’ schools in the country. She worked in this academic environment firstly as an English and PE teacher then over the last 10 years as the SEN/LDD specialist. Before that she worked for 10 in an academic independent all girls’ school. Heather is a lead trainer for LUCID products and has a passion for improving the learning experience for all students.

Adrian Taylor – Management skills

Adrian Taylor is currently Head teacher of Berkhamsted Prep School, a large co-ed independent prep school in Hertfordshire. Adrian has previously been Head of a Voluntary Aided State Primary School and an Independent Prep Boarding School.  He is an ISI Inspector and has led aspects of In Service in a variety of Schools, including three years leading the IAPS Preparation for Headship Course. Adrian served as a Governor of a leading independent prep school for four years, advising on primary education issues.

Giselle Gray – Organising your learning support data

Dupton School

Head of Learning Support

We are currently awaiting information from Giselle

Alison Maynard –Development planning

Sevenoaks School

Head of Learning Support

We are currently awaiting information from Alison

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 SEND 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.

Download a flyer for Module 1

 

 

Days 1 & 2 -  7th & 8th October 2013

The first two days 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 legislation for SEN as it follows the parliamentary 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, e.g. Draft Legislation, Equality Act
• 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

Days 3 & 4 - 26 & 27 February 2014

The second half of this module 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.

Days 1 & 2 - TBC 2014

Day 1 - 0915-1630: Managing whole school provision

• The National context
• Defining SEN, Disability and Inclusion
• Learning Support in an independent school (Prep SENCo)
• What's in a label? Identifying Individual Needs
• Tracking and reporting pupil progress

Day 2 - 0915-1600: Assessing Individual Needs

• An overview of tests used by educational psychologists
• Understanding Educational Psychologist's reports
• Using the right test
• Test administration, test results and confidentiality
• Practical suggestions for working with pupils, colleagues and families

Days 3 & 4 - TBC 2015

Day 3 - 0915-1630: Working with Specific Learning Difficulties

• SpLD - Dyslexia:How theory informs good practice
• Dyspraxia and practical ideas for support
• Dyscalculia overview
• Learning Support in an independent school (Senior SENCo)

Day 4 - 0915-1600: Understanding Challenging Behaviour

• Understanding ADHD
• Making school a positive place for pupils on the Autistic spectrum
• Art Therapy for pupils with behavioural, social and emotional difficulties
• Recommended resources
• Positive learning environments

"The talks and presentations as always were well planned and timed. Each subject matter had a great balance between facts, tips and experience. Each day was both inspiration and thought provoking."

"It was a really excellent course - useful advice, interesting discussion and facts, and all absolutely relevant."

"This has been a very enjoyable and extremely rewarding, comprehensive experience. I would always recommend Learning Works courses and really look forward to more."

"Fil was incredibly knowledgeable and delivers content in a calm manner and doesn't get off track. He is skilled at allowing delegates to contribute but not to monopolise which can happen in other courses."

"All aspects of the training already have had a positive impact as I'm inspired by the information I received."

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
• 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)

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 'Managing Policy and Practice'
£850.00 + VAT (170.00) = £1020.00

Part-time attendance per day:
£150.00 + VAT (£30.00) = £180.00

Full four day attendance:
£600.00 + VAT (£120.00) = £720.00

The above fees do not include accommodation, but we encourage course members to stay overnight during the two day sessions, and have negotiated reduced rates with the venue.