Delegate Feedback

Mark Beales – NPQH

Mark Beales is currently working as the Head of Senior School in an Australian International School in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Having previously completed our NPQH course, we wanted to hear from Mark how he found his time studying with us.

What made you choose the Real Training course over other options?

I was looking for a provider who could work with teachers based overseas. The leadership elements of the course looked particularly interesting, which is why I chose Real Training, via a Google search.

What was your experience of learning with Real Training?

The course is a detailed look into what it takes to become a school leader. As someone who has worked in international education for nearly 20 years, I wanted to look at some of the non-academic issues that school leaders deal with. Issues such as recruitment, budgeting and general principles of leadership were of particular interest to me, and these are covered in detail in this course.

How has the course helped make an impact at school?

As a result of taking this course, I have established links with other international schools in my city. This has led to training days involving teachers from both schools.

How has the course developed you as an educational professional and what do you hope to achieve with the new knowledge/skills in the future?

The course has given me a detailed look at the qualities needed to become a school principal, and what steps I can take to develop them. The forums include highly-experienced school leaders, and having the chance to talk with them and exchange ideas was invaluable. The feedback from Real Training’s own course leaders (all of them experienced principals) was excellent.

Maria Pantoulia – Dyslexia: Leadership & Intervention

Maria Pantoulia works at an international secondary school in Luxembourg where they study the British curriculum. Her daily role at school is Academic Support Assistant. When asked whether or not she has any special interests in SEND, Maria highlighted Dyslexia and concentration difficulties. Hence her decision to study our Dyslexia: Leadership & Intervention, Skills & Knowledge module. Below, Maria explains how she found her time studying with Real Training. 

What made you choose Real Training courses over other options?

The choice to study with Real Training came from a recommendation by the school SENCO, where I currently work. 

What was your experience of learning with Real Training? 

I loved the learning experience and particularly the fact that I could adjust studying to my personal needs and time. The flexibility of the course together with the support from the course leader and tutor made this experience valuable and stress-free at the same time.

How has the course helped make an impact at school?

Through the Dyslexia: Leadership & Intervention course, I have learned how to design a professional presentation on dyslexia for training purposes. That experience has allowed me to train the rest of my team and also to prepare some whole staff training for September. Moreover, I have suggested a new template for the student profiles which again I have learned to design through my time studying with Real Training. 

How has the course helped developed you as an educational professional and what do you hope to achieve with the new knowledge/skills in the future?

The course has helped me to understand better dyslexia learners’ needs and find the appropriate interventions for each case. I now feel more confident about how to support students with their learning. I am hoping for this course to be the beginning of my future career as an SEN teacher or SENCO. 

An Interview with Gillian Holland – NASENCO

Gillian Holland is a music teacher and aspiring SENCO, currently working at an international school in Malaysia. Although she is interested in all aspects of SEND, most recently, Gillian has found herself studying Dyslexia in greater detail. Stating that her long term goal is to become an assessor, which she hopes will give her the ability to bring this skill ‘in house’ to the school in which she works. Having recently completed our NASENCO qualification, we caught up with Gillian to see how she got on. 

What made you choose Real Training over other options?

Living in Malaysia, I was looking for a course that I could largely complete online. Having found Real Training through a google search, I felt that the online delivery of the content along with the accreditation of a UK university was the perfect match for me. When exploring the course content in more detail I was really impressed with the depth covered and the variety of activities involved in the qualification. 

What was your experience of learning with Real Training?

I have really enjoyed studying with Real Training and found the whole process of Campus Online straightforward and easy to navigate. I liked that the tasks were varied, but that you didn’t have to complete them in a specific order. This really helped me to make progress as it allowed me to complete tasks based on the timeframe I had available and make use of this effectively. I thought there was a good balance of ‘work based’ tasks involving some level of interaction with an aspect of school life, and research focused tasks asking for an opinion on a given text or concept. I also felt thoroughly supported by my tutor, Rachel, and knew that she was always at the end of a message thread if there was something I needed help with. The course exceeded the expectations I had and I would definitely use Real training for further studies.

How has the course helped make an impact at school?

Two projects I thoroughly enjoyed were the final assignments for Strand 2 and 3. Both of these allowed me to explore something relevant to the setting I work in. As an aspiring SENCO, this was hugely important as it gave me valuable experience in the development of an aspect of school life. Helping me to consider ways in which I would approach this if I were a SENCO. In one of these tasks, I looked at the transition between KS2 and KS3 and found ways to develop a potential action plan to improve this for future learners. As an all-through school, I was able to look at both sides of the transition point and reflect on what is needed to ensure that SEND learners were able to move through to the next stage in their education with as much support and preparation as necessary.

The second area I explored was the movement of SEND learning and pedagogy to online platforms as a result of the pandemic. Being able to research something so relevant was interesting and it was a great way to explore best practice from many different settings and countries across the world. I was able to use this and bring together ideas to adapt to my current school.

How has the course helped develop you as an educational professional and what do you hope to achieve with the new knowledge/skills in the future?

I was initially apprehensive when I began the course as my last period of high-level studying was 10 years prior when I completed my PGCE. However, the way the course is organised really helped me to ease back into this process and there was so much support available to ensure that my writing and work was to the level required for a Masters. My original plan was to just complete my NASENCO qualification, yet the course and the content have encouraged me to look beyond this to explore further options for my professional development. After much consideration, I have decided to work towards my Masters in SEND. I have just started my Level 7 Structured Intervention in Literacy and Dyslexia with Real Training’s sister company ‘Dyslexia Action’ and then I plan to return to Real Training to complete the ‘Enquiry-based SEN’ to complete my Masters. The decision on which route to take was difficult as there is so much choice available to you, but after emailing the team at Real training and discussing my options I am really happy with the decisions that I have made. 

An Interview with Lauren Millar – CPT3A

Lauren Millar is the Education Support Co-ordinator for the Northern Regional College in Northern Ireland. They are a Further Education College offering a comprehensive range of qualifications for school leavers, full and part-time courses for adults, apprenticeships, professional qualifications and university accredited courses. We asked Lauren if she has any special interests surrounding SEND and she said “I am interested in Inclusive Education, particularly in identifying and reducing barriers to Education. I work with a cohort of students who have often disengaged in mainstream school. I do have a personal interest in Dyslexia and Autism as well.”

Completing the CPT3A qualification with Real Training this year, we spoke with Lauren to see what she made of the course and studied with us.

What made you choose the Real Training Course over other options?

Real Training was the best option for me as it gave me the flexibility to study around my working commitments. I originally wanted to complete the course to become an assessor for Access Arrangements but I really enjoyed gaining in-depth knowledge about psychometric testing.

What was your experience of learning with Real Training?

Real Training provided excellent tutor support and gave me the tools and confidence to succeed in using this qualification to greatly advance the service we provide.

How has the course helped make an impact at school?

This course has greatly benefitted the service we provide in Education Support as it has increased the range of services I am able to offer the students. I asked Stephen McCartney, our Head of Student Services, how he feels my completion of the course has had an impact. He said;

‘Apart from extending the knowledge of my staff, this course has allowed me to extend the services we provide to students who require Access Arrangements for exams. To have this capability on campus means that we can respond to student’s needs much more quickly and effectively. The quality of the provision we now offer is reflective of that provided by the course and we have been pleased to have been able to access such training’ 

How has the course helped develop you as an educational professional and what do you hope to achieve with the new knowledge/skills in the future?

Having completed the course, I have been able to reflect back on my own professional practice. Not only in regard to Access Arrangements but how I work with and support students who have a range of needs. This has contributed to the service I provide within the College, not only with regard to Access Arrangements but in all I do.

An Interview with Nick Wilding – MEd SEND

Nick Wilding is the Head of Student Support Services at an international school in Vietnam. Beginning his studies with Real Training in 2017, Nick embarked on our National Award for SEN Coordination course. A couple of years later this was followed by the Enquiry-based SEND module. Since then Nick has completed some of our free to access courses as well. Nick says that his special interests in SEN are; awareness, assessment and knowing the whole child, partnerships with specialist teams and development of staff. To see what Nick made of his time studying with Real Training please see below.

What made you choose Real Training over other options?

Initially, I chose Real Training because of its links with Middlesex University. I had studied previously at this university and therefore knew that the qualifications would be both recognised and credible. At the time I was working internationally and therefore required a course delivered 100% online. The costs were very competitive and the responses to my questions in the decision phase helped me decide that I should register and sign up because all of my questions and queries were answered clearly, quickly and sincerely.

The NASENCO award through Real Training became the obvious choice compared to other providers as they met my fundamental requirements. Due to the advice and support of the course leaders and tutors, the decision to study further with Real Training was made easy due to their expertise and the range of subject-specific courses. The Courses and Qualifications page on their website is like a ‘one-stop shop’ for a career in SEND provision.

Subsequently, my experiences have led me to recommend Real Training to many colleagues both in the UK and internationally.

What was your experience of learning with Real Training?

The first tutor feedback I received was both supportive and demanding. This set the tone for the academic standards. I was delighted that this was going to be a ‘real’ Post Graduate course and not a ‘pay your money, get your certificate’ style course.

It had been so long since I had written academic essays therefore the readily available access to advice on the Campus Online page, emails with tutors and online tutorials with the tutor were invaluable. The response time of tutors and support with Campus online helped with the momentum of my studies. I wasn’t able to study regularly each week so it was great that they were responsive when I most needed it.

I chose an online course to fit in and around my work and life. I must say the tutors and the design of the course allowed this flexibility. The setup of the course page allowed me to pick up where I had left off so I could clearly see what I had and hadn’t completed.

The links provided through all courses were essential to my success and to keep stress levels down. Living abroad limited my access to many texts and websites. Access to  EBSCO, the library and Campus Buzz were all sources that provided me with the range of knowledge required to pass the academic requirements of the course but to also feel that I had read extensively around the subject areas for personal growth also.

How has the course helped make an impact at school?

Firstly, it has kept me motivated in my career during a phase of questioning where I should go next. The ability to build my course to include areas of interest in addition to fundamental courses for anyone involved at the front line of SEND provision and the push for inclusion.

The NASENCO course allowed me to go back to basics and ask myself ‘why do I do this’, ‘what is the purpose of my role in this setting’. Moving on from these starting points, the course also allowed me to use experience combined with ongoing research and legislation. I believe this gave me a platform on which to improve my own working practices and school policy and procedures.

The research project that forms the Enquiry-based SEND module, has allowed me to appreciate the correct procedure to carry out and implement change within a setting. My project evolved around the need to improve staff awareness, confidence and training when working with a growing range of SEND within the school. The final project focussed on TA staff. Subsequently, individuals and small teams have taken on extra training linked to the following: PE lessons, assessment, observations and working with parents. 

How has the course helped develop you as an educational professional and what do you hope to achieve with the new knowledge/skills in the future?

As the role of SENCO evolves it was essential to my career that I studied and passed the NASENCO course. The Access Arrangements and the Middle Leaders courses have allowed me to keep up to date and refreshed in these areas with the latter being the stimulus for the school to encourage a number of middle leaders to follow this course to bring more joined-up thinking in the school with regards to SEND and EAL students.

The research-based project has widened my appreciation of the purpose and importance of research to provide solid evidence which can be woven with experience and the needs of the setting with regards to training and change in a school. Therefore, the course has opened more opportunities for me when applying for roles in both academic and pastoral pathways

Finally, as the courses are validated by Middlesex University London and the Professional Assessment Programme courses and qualifications also adhere to the standards set by the British Psychological Society (BPS), I am convinced that future courses targeting Psychology and Social/Emotional pathways will play a part in my training to help me evolve, explore and create wellbeing projects in the future. 

An Interview with Heather Blackburn – NASENCO

Heather Blackburn is a busy lady at her current school working as; Associate Assistant Principal, Head of Performing Arts, PE and Health and SENCO on the inclusion team. Heather states that as she has been learning she is gaining specific interests in; autism, attachment, dyslexia and ADHD. Working in a mainstream secondary school in North Yorkshire, Heather recently completed her NASENCO qualification with Real Training.  Learn more about Heather Blackburn  – NASENCO delegate learning journey below. 

What made you choose the Real Training course over other options?

Real Training has been recommended to me by others. However, the fact that it was online and could be completed at times to suit me was also an appealing feature of Real Training’s course delivery. 

What was your experience of learning with Real Training?

It was very hard starting academic essays after 20 years. However, my tutor was very supportive and gave me lots of pointers. I enjoyed the course as it gave me enough background into SEN, alongside looking at local and national data. I also enjoyed the fact that I could produce PowerPoint presentations for assignments.

How has the course helped make an impact at school?

The course has allowed me to make an impact at school as my understanding of specific areas surrounding SEN has improved greatly. For example, how to use the code of practice and the legal side of SEN along with the inclusion of parents and students at all stages. I have also been able to implement improved CPD for teaching assistants. Lastly, I now have a much greater knowledge of how to set up and develop sensory circuits which are having a positive impact on those children with additional needs.

How has the course helped develop you as an educational professional and what do you hope to achieve with the new knowledge/skills in the future?

The course gave a great deal of background detail into SEN and the changes that have occurred over time. It gave me much better insight into parents’ feelings and how important it is to ensure the needs of a child are met in mainstream schools. Schools have a legal responsibility to consider the equality and disability act and to ensure they don’t cause unnecessary distress to children with SEN. I feel my understanding of the impact of reasonable adjustments and how necessary they are for some children has developed. The course also gave a greater understanding of the graduated approach and how this should be shared with all teachers. Alongside, how SEN is the responsibility of all staff and not just the SENDCO.

An Interview with Dr Sarah Alix – Autism Spectrum Conditions

Dr Sarah Alix is the current Programme Director for North Essex Teacher Training. When asked about any special interests she has in SEND, Sarah highlights Autism. Explaining that her son has Autism and it is a focus for her when training the trainee teachers at work. Based in Essex, this module is not Sarahs first with Real Training. She has also completed our; National Award for SEN Coordination and is awaiting the start of her next module Evidence and Pedagogy for Inclusion. This will result in Sarah obtaining a PGCert SEND: Autism Spectrum Conditions. Sarah will also have 120 credits on our MEd SEND programme, requiring only the final Enquiry-based module to achieve the full MEd SEND. If you would like to know more about how Sarah has found her time with us, she has kindly shared her thoughts below.

What made you choose the Real Training courses over other options?

After looking at courses to gain further knowledge on SEND I decided to train with Real Training as I could do this online. I thoroughly enjoyed the NASENCO course. I liked the structure of the modules, it was easy to follow the process through with the tasks and tutor feedback before building up to the main assignment. A very good range of materials were provided, reading was given and directed to so I knew what to focus on. When I was looking for a course on autism and realised Real Training had modules on this, I decided this would be a good way forward due to my previous experience. I am glad I chose Real Training for this! I have learnt a great deal about the history and development of autism, developing practice in schools and the tutor has challenged my thinking on the terminology used. A thoroughly enjoyable course!

What was your experience of learning with Real Training? 

I really like the structure of campus online, I can see what I have completed, what I need to do next, what to focus on. Tutor support has been excellent, detailed feedback on tasks and assignments. The Reading has been focused and provides a challenge to my existing knowledge.

How has the course helped make an impact at school?

I am taking some of my learning and developing trainee teacher knowledge, in this area. I  am also applying my learning to consider how we support trainee teachers that have autistic spectrum conditions. 

How has the course helped develop you as an educational professional and what do you hope to achieve with the new knowledge/skills in the future?

I have developed my understanding further of SEND and ASD. I can now transfer this knowledge enabling me to better support trainee teachers, through my own better understanding. Whilst also supporting those with SEND or Autism Spectrum Conditions that join our course. I would like to continue to undertake the research module with a research focus on autism and trainee teachers next year, possibly writing this into a publication once the research is complete.

An Interview with Kasia Suchocka – Speech, Language and Communication Needs

Kasia Suchocka works as a Primary EAL Teacher in a British International School in Poland. She has recently completed our Speech, Language and Communication Needs – Skills & Knowledge module. This module carries 30 credits on our MEd SEND programme and is a great starting block toward either a PGCert, PGDip or MEd in SEND. Kasia has special interests in Dyslexia and Dyscalculia, hoping to learn more about them in the future. We had a chat with Kasia about how she found her time studying with us, you can see what she had to say below.

What made you choose Real Training over other options?

I heard about Real Training from my line manager who also started out by completing the SLCN module. She enjoyed it so much, in fact, that she went on to complete the full MEd in SEND with Real Training. 

What was your experience of learning with Real Training?

At first, I was a bit worried that as a postgraduate course, it would be too academic but it turned out to be the most practical training at level 7 that I have ever done. It was intellectually challenging but closely linked to practice, meaning I could apply my knowledge straight away. Communication with my tutor was very efficient, she would reply to my emails literally within hours! Campus Online was very interactive with lots of opportunities to share ideas and learn from one another. I truly recommend Real Training. 

How has the course helped make an impact at school?

The course has helped me to raise teachers awareness of SLCN. Alongside this, my profiling template has been adopted by our inclusion department. 

How has the course helped develop you as an educational professional and what do you hope to achieve with the new knowledge/skills in the future?

I deepened my knowledge about SLCN and better understood how to differentiate between EAL and SLCN. Thanks to the collaboration with SLT and other SEN staff, I learnt how to support children with additional learning needs. I hope to make a positive impact on SEN assessment practice in my current school. 

An Interview with Andy Kingdon – CCET Intensive

Andy Kingdon recently took part in our CCET Intensive, January 2021 event. These events are usually held in various locations across 3 intensive learning days. Under the current circumstances, they are taking place intensively online via Campus Live. Andy works as a Learning Support Teacher and SpLD literacy intervention teacher for an independent school in Devon. In regard to SEND he has special interests in Dyslexia and behaviour. Read on to see what Andy had to say about his time studying on our CCET Intensive course and his plans for the future.

What made you choose the Real Training course over other options?

I had colleagues at work who had also completed this course with Real Training. Thanks to their suggestion that this would be a good fit for what I needed, I went ahead and booked with Real Training as well.

What was your experience of learning with Real Training?

Firstly, the course was well run during the three-day intensive online learning. All three days were very intense but the delivery was brilliant and there was plenty of time built in to talk to other participants on the course and reflect upon the learning. Completing the three-day intensive course and completing the work set in the evenings helped to cement my understanding. Secondly, after the three-day part of the course, the support I was given from my tutor was brilliant. He replied to my emails very quickly and often marked my work within 24 hours, providing insightful feedback.

How has the course helped make an impact at school?

Thanks to my completion of the CCET Intensive course, I am now able to test all the pupils I teach. I am now actively doing this and assisting in making helpful judgements on what support they require. 

How has the course helped develop you as an educational professional and what do you hope to achieve with the new knowledge/skills in the future?

Since completing CCET, I am now looking to continue my learning journey by enrolling on the AAC course. After this, I would like to look into becoming an Accredited Level 5 Dyscalculia and Maths Learning Difficulties Teacher.

An Interview with Monique Van Zyl – iSENCO delegate

Monique currently teaches English Literature and Studio Art at an IB International School in Beijing, China. She has a keen interest in SEND but more specifically in Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH). Completing her iSENCO qualification with us in 2021, Monique has now gone on to start our SEMH module as part of our MEd in SEND programme. iSENCo delegate Monique talks a little more about her learning experience with Real Training and why she has chosen to study further with us below.

What made you choose the Real Training course(s) over other options?

Real Training was recommended by a friend who had completed the course a few years ago. This program suited me because of the variety of options available to make up the master’s degree. The timing of the course was also very flexible and I appreciated the option of finishing modules sooner than the scheduled submission dates.

What was your experience of learning with Real Training? 

The support during the iSENCO module was incredible. Feedback happened much faster than I expected, and genuine efforts were made throughout to assist me during the tasks. As my teaching setting does not have a SEND department, I started this course with very little knowledge or experience in this area, but my tutor carefully guided me through my initial insecurities. The platform is intuitive and easy to use, which was quite different from what I had experienced before when studying with online universities.  

How has the course helped make an impact at school?

The insight provided by the iSENCO course has been invaluable, not just for my own practice, but for my entire school setting. I have been able to share new ideas and practices that have had a direct positive impact on our learners. They have also been able to guide teaching staff to implement these strategies in their own classrooms. Although we are still a long way off from implementing the most up-to-date SEND policies in our school, with the help of Real Training’s iSENCO course, I have been able to persuade management to start improvements.

How has the course(s) helped develop you as an educational professional and what do you hope to achieve with the new knowledge/skills in the future?

As an educator, I have been able to grow in my understanding of SEND structures and the accompanying whole-school implementations thereof. Before the iSENCO course, I was unaware of the intricacies involved in running a SEND department, and I have a much more in-depth knowledge and understanding regarding the lack thereof in my setting. I am now, instead of finding fault and assigning blame to various departments, able to assist department heads in finding ways to support their pupils, usually by finding alternate and creative solutions to do so.

I believe, as a future iSENCO, the creative problem-solving skills gained through this course will help me assist and support both teachers and students better than any other program I previously considered. I look forward to stepping into a new career with Real Training as my guide.