Introduction
The International Diploma in Inclusive Classroom Support is a progression opportunity designed for experienced teaching assistants, LSAs, individual support assistants and junior assistant teachers in international settings.
Formulated to help you to deepen your knowledge and to lead targeted interventions in the areas of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and inclusion, your studies will enable you to enhance the consistency and quality of support in your setting with confidence.
Upon successful completion, you will be awarded the internationally-recognised NQual Level 5 Diploma in Specialist Teaching Assistant*.
Why study the Diploma?
- Become a Specialist: Gain in-depth training in SEND and inclusion especially for working in an international school or setting.
- Lead Interventions: Develop the critical understanding and practical skills to plan, implement, evaluate, and adapt learning activities for one to ones and small group instances.
- Grow your Career in SEND and Inclusion: Become a specialist classroom practitioner who can enable and guide colleagues. Be inspired to continue your training for an inclusion leadership role. If you have a degree, our postgraduate International Award in SEN Coordination (iSENCO) course could be the perfect opportunity to progress.
- Global Recognition: The NQual award* combined with the strong reputation of Real Training makes this programme transferable internationally.
*NQual endorsement is subject to approval
Select your study style and dates
Online – self paced
Study at your own pace and time
Info & dates
Cohorts begin in January, May and September.
The next cohort begins on 15 May 2026. Express your interest today and we will update you in the coming weeks.
Course content
The International Diploma in Inclusive Classroom Support has seven units.
The role of the Specialist Teaching Assistant – Understand how you’ll work best in your team and fulfil the responsibilities of building positive relationships and inclusive learning environments. Identify and analyse professional boundaries and behaviours.
Regulation and guidance – Understand compliance with legislation and to work within global legal frameworks of rights. Maintain health, safety and wellbeing of learners, and uphold safeguarding and equality to foster an enabling environment.
Advancing learning – Explore theories of learning and child development, and apply strategies to overcome barriers to learning (such as social, emotional, physical, or cognitive factors) and to advance learning. Critically evaluate frameworks in terms of effectiveness on student outcomes and setting-wide inclusion.
Planning, teaching and assessment – Evaluate teaching and assessment methods depending on environment and learner needs, including dynamic risk assessment.
Professionalism – Identify ways of improving practice, developing resilience and acting on feedback. Grow your understanding of the principles of coaching and mentoring.
Communication – Focus on teamwork, effective communication, and advocating for the needs of learners.
Application and extension – Build knowledge of SEND, implement national and local SEND policy, practices, process and procedures. Adapt provision to support learners with SEND and apply approaches to assessment and early identification of SEND.
Course details
How will you benefit?
On successful completion of the Diploma, you will be able to:
- Address diverse learning needs and provide individualised support for students.
- Provide capacity for early identification and intervention for SEND.
- Implement strategies to create an inclusive learning environment where every learner, including those with SEND, can thrive.
- Support the social and emotional wellbeing of pupils with SEND.
Learn on the job
- Refine your skills by building on your practice and through partnership with your mentor.
- Grow confidence to support learners with SEND via carefully-paced practical tasks.
- Adapt provision to support learners with SEND, advocate for learners and promote an inclusive school culture.
Engage with flexible e-learning
- Study online at a time that suits you and fits around your job role.
- Access tailored interactive materials, highly-relevant practical resources, and timely academic research.
- Explore SEND Masterclasses by leading speech and language therapists, dyslexia assessors, educational psychologists, autism specialists and more.
- Interact with your peers in our discussion forums and share your reflections.
Liaise with experienced tutors and an in-school mentor
- Benefit from dedicated support from our friendly and approachable tutors who know the international education sector inside out, have deep SEND expertise and are passionate about developing those in classroom support roles.
- Work with an in-school mentor (appointed by your school) to help you apply your learning to maximum effect.
How is the course delivered?
- Our courses are delivered through Campus Online, our unique provision for online learning.
- Campus Online allows you to study at your own pace, without the need to travel, or commit to particular dates or times. Log in to access your study materials, contact your personal tutor for support, connect and network with other delegates and make use of the extensive resource library.
- You can easily track your progress throughout the course and submit your work and evidence of assignments for feedback.
How long does it take to complete the course?
The duration of the International Diploma in Inclusive Classroom Support course is up to 12 months.
Am I eligible?
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must be working with children or young people with SEND in an educational setting, and have a passion to acquire new knowledge about childhood development and to apply this to your practice. You will be critically analysing how to positively support behaviours for learning, overcome barriers to learning as well as adapting resources for all children.
- You must hold or be working towards a Level 2 qualification in maths and English or equivalent.
- You must hold a suitable English language qualification such as:
- IELTS score of 6.0 (with 5.5 in each component)
- TOEFL (IBT) score of 72 (with at least 17 in listening & writing, 20 in speaking and 18 in reading)
- GCSE/iGCSE English grade C/4 (This list is not exhaustive, other qualifications can be considered)
This course is available online and can, therefore, be completed anywhere in the world. Please click here for advice on payment options and other information relevant to those studying outside of the UK.
How will you be assessed?
You will be assessed on-programme which means you will submit a portfolio of evidence to your tutor which is then moderated by NQual assessors*. Your portfolio of evidence might include:
- Observation Records
- Professional Discussion and/or Q&A records
- Written answers
- PowerPoint Presentations
- Reflective Accounts
- Witness Testimony
- Assignments
- Assessment planning, session plans, assessment records.
In addition to completing your online learning, you’ll spend time focusing on applying your learning in practice and completing your course work.
*NQual award is subject to approval
Choose a start date that suits you
Cohorts begin in January, May and September.
The first cohort begins on 15 May 2026. Express your interest today and we will update you in the coming weeks when booking opens.
How much does it cost?
We offer a flexible range of fees to suit you:
- Single payment of £2,495 + VAT if applicable.
- Three monthly instalments of £857 + VAT if applicable.
- Ten monthly instalments of £262 + VAT if applicable. A UK bank account is needed for this option – see the Payment FAQs.
Speak to us +44 (0)1273 358080 or express your interest.
Module leader
MEd Programme Lead
Katie is the strategic lead for our five MEd Programmes. She has worked within educational settings for a decade as a teacher, a SENCO and a member of the Senior Management Team. She has a Masters Degree in Educational Research Practice from the University of Cambridge.
During her time spent as a SENCO and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Katie put in place strategies to support pupils in the school with EAL and led a specialist unit for pupils with complex needs, including physical disabilities.
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