Introduction
Take your SEND expertise (and your career) a step further by becoming a high-impact, strategic SEND leader. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed to advance your whole-school vision for SEND, create data-driven financial and resource management strategies, inspire and lead others and establish a culture of innovation to improve the learning experience for children.
This apprenticeship programme is delivered by our sister company, Educational and Sporting Futures (ESF), an Ofsted ‘outstanding’ apprenticeship provider. The course has been co-designed by SEND experts from Real Training and ESF and can be fully funded using the Apprenticeship Levy. For more details please see our information about funding.
Why study the Advanced SEND Leader programme?
- Transition from operational to strategic leader – gain the skills to develop and execute a strategic SEND plan, foster an inclusive culture, and build a high-performing SEND team
- Build on your existing SENCO training and gain advanced knowledge of leadership and change management strategies in SEND, including data-driven budgeting and resource management, workforce planning, and external communication
- Develop an understanding of national trends and innovative approaches in SEND using the latest research and case studies from other settings
- Learn how to improve your leadership behaviours by working with a specialist coach
- Benefit from group problem-solving sessions led by an Educational Psychologist once per term, where you can ask questions and gain feedback
- Create a stronger professional profile for yourself through the achievement of a Level 7 Senior Leadership qualification, recognised within and beyond education
Programme overview
This programme is designed to build on the skills gained in the National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) or NPQ SENCO qualification, supporting experienced SENCOs and SEND leaders to become more effective in their role. It is not however a requirement that you have undertaken these qualifications.
As well as covering the highly transferable knowledge, skills and behaviours of the Senior Leader Apprenticeship, this course empowers SENCOs to champion and implement a comprehensive inclusive vision within their school.
Phase 1: Leading SEND Vision
- Articulate and influence your setting’s mission, culture and values
- Learn how to gather and incorporate stakeholder perspectives in your SEND vision – including students, colleagues, governors and the wider community
- Develop your emotional intelligence and moral purpose as a SEND leader
- Understand how to make the most of your governing bodies
Phase 2: Leading SEND Culture, Ethos and Strategy
- Improve communications with parents through understanding the emotions and challenges of being a parent of a SEND child
- Audit pupil progress data and assess against allocation of financial and other resources
- Review budgetary requirements for SEND and develop and monitor financial strategies to manage people, resources and technology
- Develop effective communication, collaboration and influence with colleagues and external professionals
- Use instructional coaching and other techniques to support team members
Phase 3: Driving Positive Change
- Understand risk and crisis management techniques
- Learn how to stay solution-focused under pressure
- Learn how to have difficult conversations but also look after yourself
- Commission and evaluate service provision
- Discover advanced techniques for eliciting meaningful pupil voice
Phase 4: Evaluating Impact and Supporting Sustainable Change
- Explore safeguarding best practice through a SEND lens
- Prepare for Ofsted and ensure your SEND provision meets all regulatory and statutory requirements
- Learn how SENCOs and SEND leaders can make the most of their governing bodies
Course details
Who is the course designed for?
- Experienced SENCOs seeking to take their SEND expertise to the next level and develop their leadership skills
- Experienced SENCOs seeking to enhance SEND provision in their setting
- SEND Leaders working across multiple schools
- SENCOs aspiring to a senior leadership role
How will I benefit?
This course will support you to be a high-impact SENCO or SEND leader. Through online learning, live and interactive masterclasses, workshops, case studies, and EP-led discussions, we’ll delve into the latest research in SEND and inclusion.
You will:
- Create a whole-school, strategic SEND and inclusion plan based on data, and statutory and inspection requirements
- Gain the relevant skills required to transform SEND provision within your setting or across multiple schools, or nurseries, for example in a multi-academy trust
- Implement and champion new initiatives and interventions across your setting to improve outcomes for children or young people and staff
- Learn how to use data to inform financial and resource management strategies in order to strengthen your setting’s SEND provision, while gaining other leadership skills such as workforce planning
- Understand how to work more effectively with Governors and Local Authorities as well as how to gain support from local businesses or organisations in your area
- Complete a leadership behaviour assessment, which will help to establish your strengths, and work with your dedicated leadership coach to identify behaviours that will improve your effectiveness
- Further develop your ability to work in partnership with colleagues, professionals from outside the setting, and parents and carers
- Lead effectively across your setting, using evidence-informed approaches that include advanced methods to capture student voice
- Learn the principles of instructional coaching and how to enhance your own and others’ personal and professional development
- Gain a professional network of colleagues beyond your own setting
How is the course delivered?
The programme runs for 18 months during which you will participate in a variety of activities through our blended learning model:
- Online learning – study flexibly at a time and place that suits you
- Self-directed project work – apply new knowledge and skills through practical projects and research in your setting. Build a portfolio of evidence that will help embed your learning and allow you to have a positive impact from the very start
- Live online workshops – mandatory workshops with SEND experts, plus follow-up discussions and opportunities to share good practice
- Live online SEND community circles – once a term, optional 90- minute community circle session hosted by an Educational Psychologist
- Progress reviews – one 60-minute review per term with your apprenticeship coach and your mentor
Leadership coaching – x3 one-to-one leadership coaching sessions with your dedicated leadership coach
How is the course assessed?
You will have termly progress reviews in which you’ll celebrate your growth and successes and discuss challenges you have been facing. These will be scheduled with your Mentor and Apprenticeship Coach at a time that is convenient for you.
The final progress review is combined with a Gateway Review. Once you have completed this, you’ll then undertake the End-Point Assessment. You’ll then meet your independent End-Point Assessor to present your 4,000-word business proposal and have a professional discussion based on your portfolio of evidence.
How much does the course cost?
This programme can be fully funded using the Apprenticeship Levy. In line with government apprenticeship funding bands, the cost of the full training package is £14,000.
If your employer (school, nursery, MAT, or local authority) is an apprenticeship-levy paying employer (i.e. they have a wage bill in excess of £3m) then 100% of the apprenticeship is paid for from the employer’s levy pot. You will need to gain approval to access your employer’s levy and we advise that you discuss details with your business manager / financial director prior to registration.
If your employer does not pay the Apprenticeship Levy then the Government will fund 95% of the apprenticeship and your employer will need to commit to paying 5% of the fee, which is £700. ESF should be able to support your school or nursery to reclaim this £700 via a process known as Levy Transfer.
When does the course start?
The next cohort for the Advanced SEND Leader programme starts in January 2025.
Application deadline: Please apply as soon as possible to join this cohort.
Am I eligible?
- You must have worked as a SENCO for at least a year (full-time equivalent).
- You most likely will have completed the National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) or other SEND-related training
- You must not have already completed a Level 7 Senior Leader apprenticeship.
- You must have lived in England for the last three years and have the right to work in the the UK
- You must be employed at least 16 hours a week and spend at least 50% of your working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship
- You will need to provide evidence of having achieved GCSE Level 4 or equivalent for English and Maths
- Your employer must agree to appoint a workplace mentor to attend the termly progress reviews
- Your employer would need to agree and enrol you as an apprentice. We can support you with this
Please note: This programme is open to delegates in England only.
How do I apply?
- Please complete our short application form
- You will then receive an email with your login details for ESF Learn, where you will continue your application. Please note, you will need to work with your Manager / school to complete some sections of the application
If you have any questions prior to applying, please contact us.
About Educational and Sporting Futures (ESF)
Educational and Sporting Futures are an Ofsted Outstanding and Award Winning Apprenticeship Provider that is part of Real Group. ESF is led by Teachers and Educational Psychologists and they focus on designing and delivering apprenticeships that work for teachers, teaching assistants, sports coaches and schools. Recently Real Training has been working more closely with ESF so that we can also incorporate our SEND courses into high-quality apprenticeships.
ESF delivers apprenticeships through Sporting Futures (UK) Training Ltd (this is the company on the apprenticeship register and also part of Real Group Ltd).
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