News

Dr Richard Lewis is an experienced Educational, Community and Child Psychologist, having worked for many years in Surrey, as well as lecturing on the Tavistock & Portman doctoral training programme.  We were delighted when he recently joined Real Group as a professional and academic lead.

In the latest issue of the International Journal of Nurture in Education, Richard and research partner Dr Amy Gibb investigate how nurture group practitioners make sense of their relationship with the nurture group child. Through interviews with the practitioners they interrogated the development path of the relationship; what enables a relationship to form, as well as the related challenges.

What formed from the analysis of these interviews was that there is an emergent journey that develops through a process of an anxious period of ‘getting to know each other’, or ‘beginnings’ as Gibb and Lewis put it, through gaining an understanding of the child and beginning to meet the child’s needs, to trust, and eventually, a close relationship.

The study is also careful to highlight the challenges that are faced by practitioners, such as the child’s behaviour making it difficult to facilitate change for the child. This creates a barrier to the formation of a connection between the child and the practitioner. Revealingly, the research also points out the importance of support for the practitioner, in response to the heavy emotional load they carry.

The implications of the study, the authors point out, are for training and development of nurture group practitioners; to inform them how to create successful relationships and manage the challenges that they face. The links to the psychodynamic and attachment theories can improve the theoretical understanding of the process. Additionally, the findings can help ensure that sufficient supportive structures are in place to help the practitioners manage the emotional load. If you would like to learn more about this research, visit https://www.nurtureuk.org/sites/default/files/ijne_vol_5_final.pdf for the full, published paper.

Just a matter of weeks after being awarded the top 5-star award for our SEND programme by Teach Primary Awards, Real Training has also reached the finals of the EducationInvestor Awards as Provider of the Year for Content & Education Provision Skills.  In 2018, we were finalists in the category of Exporting Excellence, recognising our efforts in developing and delivering courses and qualifications to suit the international market, such as our innovative iSENCO qualification and delivering our CCET programme as a face-to-face course overseas. This year, the Skills Provider of the Year award recognises how we support a large number of educators, both in the UK and overseas, with our full range of qualifications including our professional assessment courses, our qualifications for SENCOs, the SEND Programme, our MA in Leading Inclusive Education and also our DfE-accredited NPQ qualifications.

After each course, we gather and review feedback from our delegates to ensure that our qualifications continue to meet the needs the schools, educators and the children that they are supporting. In the 2018/19 academic year, we launched new modules in our SEND Programme which were developed as a result of us listening to this customer feedback and monitoring the needs of the ever-changing education sector in the UK and worldwide. These include the International Award in SEN Coordination (iSENCO), Psychology for Education, Cognitive & Learning and Evidence & Pedagogy for Inclusion. iSENCO is a unique qualification developed for SENCOs and Inclusion Managers working in international settings. This qualification combines key skills and knowledge required for all SENCOs with expert guidance for SEN professionals facing unique and specific challenges in international education, such as local legislation and culture, the impact on learning of third culture kids and language challenges for EAL students.

This time last year, we had delegates in 50 territories worldwide. Over the past year, we have extended our reach to almost 80 regions. This is something we are incredibly proud of as it means we are making an impact all over the world, not just with the educational professionals we are training but also with the children and families they are supporting.

We believe in supporting educators to improve the outcomes for ALL children, regardless of background, circumstance or challenge. If you believe in the same goal, get in touch with one of our course advisors on +44 (0)1273 35 80 80, email info@realgroup.co.uk or visit our website and we’ll be happy to help you and your educational institution achieve the goals of identifying and improving the outcomes for vulnerable learners in an inclusive environment.

 
We are now delighted to announce, with an enormous amount of excitement, that our SEND Programme is a 5-Star WINNER in the CPD category of the Teach Primary Awards 2019! We were also finalists for two Teach Secondary Awards for our Certificate in Psychometric Testing, Assessment & Access Arrangements (CPT3A) qualification and our sister company Dyslexia Action’s Dyslexia & Literacy CPD Programme.

The Teach Company Awards are designed to help teachers seek the very best educational resources, and the finalists and winners are decided by a panel of education experts, based on how the entries score in key areas such as originality and educational impact.

Here’s what one of the judges had to say:

“The SEND Programme recognises that by improving the professional learning of teachers and staff in regards to specific pupil needs, schools can raise pupil attainment, with a disproportionate benefit to the most vulnerable learners. The online learning modules are challenging and rigorous, with Masters level courses quality assured by Middlesex University offered at comparatively low rates compared to many face-to-face courses. The resource is innovative in its flexibility for busy primary school staff; offering the individual to tailor their choice of modules and plan in studying alongside their own timetable.”

– Maria Cunningham, Teach Primary Awards judge for the CPD category

We are absolutely delighted to be a 5-Star WINNER in the CPD category, and also to have reached the finals for two other awards! You can read more about the awards here.

Book a place on our 5-Star WINNER SEND Programme for January 2020 and enter our PRIZE DRAW!*

To celebrate the 5-Star WINNER award for our SEND Programme, 5 lucky winners who book a SEND Programme module for the January 2020 cohort by 31 December 2019 will win a £60 Love2Shop voucher. 

Choose from any of our SEND Programme courses:

• Our National Award for SEN Coordination
• International Award for SEN Coordination
• Psychology for Education
• Cognition & Learning
• Autism Spectrum Conditions
• Dyslexia – Leadership & Intervention
• Social, Emotional & Mental Health Needs
• Speech, Language & Communication Needs
• Severe, Profound & Complex Learning Difficulties & Disabilities
• Evidence & Pedagogy for Inclusion
• Enquiry-based SEND Practice

Our SEND Programme has been developed to give you confidence and core skills to meet the needs of the most vulnerable learners and provide benefits to your school. You will receive first-class instruction and support, all from a programme that is quality-assured by Middlesex University. All modules have been developed in conjunction with leading SEND experts, educational psychologists, and partners, providing you with complete flexibility to plot a career development path that best suits you and your school’s needs. Please contact our course advisers on 01273 35 80 80 or info@realgroup.co.uk if you have any questions about the programme or the prize draw.

*Winners will be contacted on 2 January and vouchers will be distributed once your booking is confirmed (when initial payment is made and your registration forms are complete).

 
Trust the people who know your setting best to improve and lead SEN provisions in your school through effective SENCo training.

Concerns over recruiting qualified teachers to international settings have been spoken of time and time again, all the more so when trying to recruit UK-qualified SENCOs.

With the need for improved SEN provision and leadership being at the forefront of the minds of leaders in international settings, it’s time to look in-house where knowledge and ideas of the needs of your setting are already growing. It’s time to nurture these colleagues, train them to become qualified SENCOs and transform the SEN provision and leadership of your school with the International Award in SEN Coordination qualification.

Making UK excellence work in the international setting

Having spoken to many senior leaders in international settings – we have current delegates in 79 countries across the world – we understand the National Award in SEN Coordination may not always speak fully to the international educator. Therefore we have taken the skills and knowledge we have gained by being one of the world’s leading National Award providers and redesigned it with a focus on the international setting. Looking at global perspectives and international policy surrounding SEND and inclusion, the International Award in SEN Coordination is made to fit within the context of your school, culture and the challenges your students and staff may face. With this focus, UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is not a requirement for this course, broadening your pool of appropriate delegates.

A bespoke SENCO training solution, to fit your school’s aspirations

The International Award in SEN Coordination focuses heavily on the needs of globally mobile and third culture kids, more common in international schools. It’s suitable for aspiring SENCOs looking to develop aspects of English ‘academic language’ with their students whose first language may or may not be English.

Seven ways our level-7 qualification can benefit your school:

1. Retain and motivate your staff through career progression.
2. Optimise the knowledge already held by staff to improve SEN provision and leadership in your setting.
3. Meet the needs of students with SEND and students of determination in your school.
4. For delegates who do hold QTS, the opportunity to also gain the UK-recognised National Award in SEN Coordination with our free ‘top-up’ module.
5. Support for delegates with personal one-on-one tutoring.
6. Fully-online, flexible learning which can be delivered in any setting and works around teachers’ real lives.
7. Graduates exit the programme with a Middlesex University-validated Postgraduate Certificate and can choose to continue their learning journey by joining either of our SEND (MEd SEND) or Leading Inclusive Education (MALIE) Master’s programmes.

If this is SENCo Training course that would benefit your school and pupils and you would like to know more, contact us at info@realgroup.co.uk or call us on +44 1273 35 80 80. If you or a member of staff would like to book onto one of our September, January or May cohorts you can do so here.

Developing leading inclusive education practice to support the needs of all learners is one of the most important challenges facing education professionals today. The Masters in Leading Inclusive Education (MALIE) is a high-quality distance-learning pathway for education professionals from all phases and settings, who wish to progress into leadership roles or to develop their leadership skills, in the crucial area of inclusion. 

The Masters in Leading Inclusive Education (MALIE) is now available to book through Real Training for the February 2020 cohort, this unique joint venture partners London’s top modern university with the UK’s leading provider of professional training for SEND practitioners. It has been developed and is delivered and assessed by Middlesex University, in partnership with us. It is also quality assured by Middlesex University.

The Masters in Leading Inclusive Education is open to graduate professionals working in any educational setting – early years, schools, specialist settings, FE colleges, and universities – in the UK and internationally.

• Develop the skills and confidence to lead inclusive practice in your setting.
• Enhance practical leadership strategies.
• Receive high-quality support from experienced tutors.
• Access a wealth of academic research, interactive materials, and resources, including a free electronic textbook for every module.
• Build a professional network within your setting through collaboration and discussion with other delegates.
• Utilise an exceptional virtual learning environment that allows you to study from anywhere. 

Modules that make up the Masters in Leading Inclusive Education (MALIE) 

Compulsory first module:

• The leadership of inclusive practice (30 or 60 credits, depending on prior learning credits)

Two optional modules from this list:

• Gender and Sexuality (30 credits)
• Communities and Culture (30 credits)
• Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (30 credits)
• Learning Difficulties (30 credits)
• Learning Conversations, Coaching, and Mentoring (30 credits)

Compulsory final module:

• Enquiry-Based Inclusive Practice (60 credits)

Experience state-of-the-art practice-led learning that combines our latest virtual learning environment technology (Campus Online^TM) with the extensive resources of Middlesex University.

For more information on programme content, costs and what is on offer, you can visit the website or speak to one of our expert course advisers on +44 1273 358080 or info@realgroup.co.uk.

Learn how to administer educationals tests within your current setting with CCET

We are excited to be coming back to Singapore to deliver another Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (CCET) course. The intensive 3-day educational tests course will be held on 15-17 November at the Lakeside Campus of the Canadian International School in Singapore. It will be facilitated by Jalak Patel and another of our international educational psychologists. Jalak has previously worked in Hong Kong for five years so is familiar with the challenges of supporting children in international schools.

What is CCET?

CCET is a high-quality course in educational testing, designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge required to be able to identify the correct psychometric test to use in your setting, to use it effectively and to interpret the results. You will be able to apply this knowledge of psychometric tests to a wide range of assessments used in your setting – assessments for progress as well as some special educational needs.

The benefits of CCET

Bringing educational testing services in-house has a wide range of benefits. Here are our top 5:

• Work more effectively with external service providers, e.g. educational psychologists, making better use of their time (and your money).
• Have the ability to test a greater number of students without time delays or budget limitations.
• Develop effective support for all the children in your setting – including the most vulnerable children.
• Save money on tests with a 10% discount at the Dyslexia Action Shop.
• Use CCET as a springboard to further professional development – become a qualified Access Arrangements Assessor, gain a postgraduate qualification on our SEND Programme or complete our flexible route to gain the SpLD Assessment Practicing Certificate.

Do you want to book a place for our CCET Singapore intensive course? 

 
Whether you’re thinking of taking the next step in your career or simply looking to develop your leadership skills in your current role, our online and inclusive National Professional Qualifications  (NPQ) offer you a flexible route to achieve these high-quality qualifications approved by the Department for Education (DfE).

Through our NPQs, you will further develop your leadership skills, including those needed to effectively implement new improvement plans and strategies into your school, something that the Education Endowment Foundation believes is currently lacking in many schools – see their article ‘Putting Evidence to Work – A School’s Guide to Implementation‘ for more details.

Fully-funded NPQs starting in September

The DfE has confirmed funding is in place for our September cohort so we would advise for you to plan ahead and book now to secure your fully-funded place for September. Funded places are available for leaders and aspiring leaders in:

• Maintained schools, academies, free schools and PRUs in category 5 and 6 areas
• All schools in a MAT which includes at least one category 5 or 6 school
• All schools in a Diocese which includes at least one category 5 or 6 school

Please note: Places within a school, cluster, MAT or Diocese are not limited – so if you have colleagues who you think may also be interested, please don’t hesitate in forwarding this information to them.

We offer NPQs at three school leadership levels – middle leaders (NPQML), senior leaders (NPQSL) and headship (NPQH) – take a look at our dedicated pages online for more information on programme content, funding rules and what you can expect from our leading-edge, inclusive leadership programmes.

 
With increased pressure on budgets to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), now is the perfect time to invest in upskilling yourself or another member of the support team to ensure that you can provide the best support for your students and work more effectively with your external service providers. Our Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (CCET) is a great way to start making savings and provide more effective in-school services straight away.

Make a greater impact by gaining educational testing skills

Saving money on external services is incredibly important but it is not the only benefit of CCET. By bringing these educational testing skills or services in-house, you also save time as you do not need to wait for someone else to fit your school into their busy calendar. You will be able to test the children who need testing according to your own schedule. So, without time or budgetary limitations, you are likely to be able to test a greater number of children in the school and therefore make a substantial difference to the lives of these children. This is what our delegates have found:

“A greater proportion of students will now be tested as there will not be the need to call in outside agencies. This will help to measure the impact of interventions more and ensure that we have appropriate strategies in place.”

– Emma Rushton, CCET delegate 2018

“I am now in a position to test children that the school has not being able to afford to test, as we currently buy in that expertise at a great expense. This will open avenues to many children previously unable to be tested as needed.”

– Sandra Francis, CCET delegate 2018

To find out more, take a look at our dedicated CCET page online, or our CPT3A page if you are looking to become a qualified Access Arrangements Assessor. We have intensive face-to-face CCET courses coming up in September in Manchester and London, so plan ahead for the new academic year and book now to avoid disappointment. This is a great way to study for the CCET qualification as it gives you the chance to fast-track your educational testing skills and share best practice ideas with the other delegates and the facilitators over the three days.

 
We are excited to be coming back to Barbados to deliver another Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (CCET) course. The intensive 3-day course will be held on 15-18 July at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. It will be facilitated by one of our company directors and educational psychologists, Siobhan Mellor.

What is CCET?

CCET is a high-quality course in educational testing, designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge required to be able to identify the correct psychometric test to use in your setting, to use it effectively and to interpret the results. You will be able to apply this knowledge of psychometric tests to a wide range of assessments used in your setting – assessments for progress as well as some special educational needs.

The benefits of attending our Barbados three-day intensive CCET course

Bringing educational testing services in-house has a wide range of benefits. Here are our top 5:

• Work more effectively with external service providers, e.g. educational psychologists, making better use of their time (and your money).
•  Have the ability to test a greater number of students without time delays or budget limitations.
• Develop effective support for all the children in your setting – including the most vulnerable children.
•  Save money on tests with a 10% discount at the Dyslexia Action Shop.
•  Use CCET as a springboard to further professional development – become a qualified Access Arrangements Assessor, gain a postgraduate qualification on our SEND Programme or complete our flexible route to gain the SpLD Assessment Practicing Certificate.

If you are ready to make a booking for CCET Barbados course, please complete our simple online booking form.

 
Last week’s rallies in London, Bristol, Leeds and Birmingham demonstrated the nation’s frustration regarding the lack of funding for SEND provision in schools.

With increased pressure on budgets to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), now is the perfect time to invest in upskilling your school staff to ensure you are working more effectively with your external service providers. Our Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing is a great way to start making savings and provide more effective in-house services straight away.

NEW dates released:

Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (CCET):

• BIRMINGHAM – 26-28 June
• LONDON – 3-5 July and 18-20 September and 27-29 November
• LEEDS – 24-26 July
• MANCHESTER – 18-20 September 

CCET and CPT3A (for Access Arrangements) are also available to complete flexibly online.

“I am now in a position to test children that the school has not being able to afford to test, as we currently buy in that expertise at a great expense. This will open avenues to many children previously unable to be tested as needed.”

– Sandra Francis, CCET delegate 2018

“I believe that by assessing the students myself, rather than the Ed Psych, I will learn so much more about a pupil.”

– Elizabeth Jones, CCET delegate 2018

“A greater proportion of students will now be tested as there will not be the need to call in outside agencies. This will help to measure the impact of interventions more and ensure that we have appropriate strategies in place.”

– Emma Rushton, CCET delegate 2018

CCET quick facts

• Learn how to choose the correct psychometric test, administer it and interpret the results in your setting.
• Develop effective support for the most vulnerable children in your setting.
• Study fully online or through blended learning options.
• No prior qualifications required – suitable for teachers, SENCOs and student support staff.
• Receive 10% discount off tests and assessments through the Dyslexia Action Shop.
• Combine with the AAC to become a qualified Access Arrangements Assessor (qualification to teach required).

To find out more, take a look at our dedicated CCET page online, or our CPT3A page if you are looking to train a staff member to be an Access Arrangements Assessor.