National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination PgCert

Why choose this course?

Are you an existing or aspiring SENCO?

The course offers an overview of SEN and/or disabilities in the context of policy, practice and professionalism.

You will study the range of perspectives which impact on the work and leadership of SEN coordinators. A blended learning approach allows you to fit 12 taught days and a networking conference event around existing commitments, and provides the opportunity to learn from expert academics and practitioners and network with peers. You will also complete a Learning Log that covers the Professional Learning Outcomes associated with this qualification. You will be working at masters level and will have the opportunity to use the credits gained on this course towards a Master of Research (MRes).

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Mode Duration Start date
Part time 1 year October 2023

This course comprises part-time, blended learning.

You will study online, with four study days at Kingston Hill campus.

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Reasons to choose Kingston University

  • We are an accredited national provider of the NASENCO – a statutory award for newly appointed special educational needs (SEN)coordinators. This course is quality assured by the Leading Learning for SEND Community Interest Company (LLSENDCiC).
  • You will access evidence-based approaches and have the opportunity to join the Inclusion and Social Justice Special Interest Group and participate in multi-disciplinary, local projects and specialist training on areas of SEN/D.
  • The course will enable you to support the learning and development of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
  • Your learning will benefit from a scaffolded design and you will develop reflection and networking skills through the use of e-Portfolios and blogging.
  • You will be included in a community of practitioners and researchers working together on inclusion and social justice to improve the lives of people with special educational needs.

Accreditation

We are a member of the National Award for SENCO (NASENCO) Provider Partnership. This course has been quality assured as adhering to the regulations and learning outcomes for the NASENCO and regulated by the National Association for Special Education Needs (NASEN).

This qualification is mandatory for all SEN coordinators in schools within three years of appointment and is intended to enable students to fulfil the leadership roles set out in the SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years (2014).

What you will study

This course will enable SEN coordinators to better meet the needs of learners who have special educational needs and disabilities.

You will gain an overview of Special Educational Needs and disabilities in the context of policy, practice and professionalism. You will critically evaluate specialist sources to understand the range of perspectives which impact on the work of SEN coordinators.

You will develop your reflective practice through evaluation of practice-based scenarios and self-reflective work. The leadership of change in professional settings will draw on appropriate theories and resource management will be examined with reference to both professional and inter-professional working.

Core modules

Core modules

Critical Reflections on the role of the SEN coordinator

30 credits

This module is designed to help you gain an overview of Special Educational Needs. Databases and other specialist sources are examined to develop evidence-based approaches to learning, teaching and assessment. A critical understanding of the statutory and regulatory context for SEN and disability is developed. Critical reflections and ethical practice are important focal points for exploring how learning outcomes for learners with SEND can be improved, including the use of reflective journal writing. A consolidating theme for the module is an exploration of the personal and professional qualities that SEN coordinators use to enhance pupil attainment.

Leading change and the role of the SEN coordinator

30 credits

This module is designed to enable you to develop the process of enacting change both professionally and interprofessionally. The exploration of the principles and practice of leadership will involve organizational theory relevant to the leadership of SEN provision, including self reflection and ways of promoting professional learning within and across settings. The use of external sources of support and expertise will involve consideration of the sustainability of provision. Constructs of interprofessional working will be encountered, including multiagency teams which focus on SEN and disabilities.

Please note

Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

You will need to be currently employed as a teacher / practitioner in an education-related setting, in full-time or part-time employment with QTS, QTLS or EYTS* (*suitable for ages 0–5 only).

Candidates are required to have an honours degree and/or further qualifications relating to working in Special Educational Needs in an education-related environment.

Teaching and assessment

You will learn about leading on special educational needs through interactive lectures, seminars and online work in our Virtual Learning Environment (CANVAS).

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS – the online virtual learning platform.

Support for postgraduate students

As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services. 

Your workload

10% of your time is spent in timetabled learning and teaching activity.

  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 60 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 540 hours

Contact hours may vary depending on your modules

How you will be assessed

Summative assignments will include a critical commentary on the implications of legislative interventions for the role of the SENCO and the critical evaluation of sources to develop strategies for the leadership of SEN provision in situated practice.

Formative assessments will include tutor-facilitated online discussions, creating and maintaining a reflective journal, the collaborative exploration of specialist sources in workshop sessions and work in progress papers arising from assignment preparation involving tutor and peer feedback.

  • 100% coursework

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetable

Each module features six days of learning activities. These include a mixture of on-campus events, live online events and on-demand events throughout the year, enabling you to fit your learning experience around your work commitments.

Who teaches this course?

The tutors for your course are experienced practitioners in the field of SEN/D and inclusive education. They continue to be actively involved in a range of education related activities, such as further study, research and direct work with schools, community stakeholders and other educational settings.

Dr Paty Paliokosta

Course director and admissions tutor

Fees for this course

2023/24 fees for this course

Home 2023/24

  • PG part time £2,800

International 2023/24

  • PG part time £3,400

2022/23 fees for this course

Home 2022/23

PgCert part time: £2,700

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to, or be required to, buy your own copy of key textbooks.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses.

Printing

In the majority of cases coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees.

Travel

Travel costs are not included but we do have a free bus service which links the campuses and halls of residence.

Funding

Visit our Fees and funding page to find out about the student funding options available to help you fund your postgraduate studies.
Discounts for Kingston University alumni

Kingston University is pleased to offer a 10% discount on full-time and part-time postgraduate degree course tuition fees (including PGCE courses) to its alumni. Visit our Alumni discount page to find out more.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residence. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees, this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Facilities

The Kingston Hill campus features an outdoor learning environment where trainee teachers lead curriculum-linked natural sciences activities with children. It includes a specially built 'cubby house', outdoor pond, beehive and nature trail. It offers early years students the opportunity to simulate teaching and learning with natural materials.

There are a number of teaching rooms set up to replicate actual classrooms. Each classroom is subject based – such as an art room, science lab – and is equipped with all the relevant facilities you will need to practise your lessons before taking them into school.

Our library (the Nightingale Centre) has an excellent range of teaching resources to help you plan and teach your lessons, such as a range of children's topic books, music and nursery rhymes on CD, as well as artefacts and kits that can be used to illustrate historical periods, different religions, science, mathematics and music.

Facilities

After you graduate

The National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCO) PgCert will enable you to fulfil the role of a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) in an interprofessional community, and may lead to promotion opportunities in your organisation. 

After completing the PGCert in NASENCO, you could further your research studies by using the credits gained to progress onto the Master of Research (Education), which in turn provides a foundation for doctoral study.

What our students say

The interactive mode of learning is very positive, it allows for an exchange of ideas, knowledge and skills. The programme brings together a rich diversity of experiences and skills, which improves and enhances the learning process. It provides an excellent opportunity to network with other people from different local authorities and I have enjoyed feeling part of a postgraduate community.

Student, National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination PgCert

Research areas

Research undertaken by groups in the School of Education, in different age phases, will be relevant to this course as will research on professional and interprofessionally practice in the HSCE faculty.

Course changes and regulations

The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.

Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.