Archive:

What do you do?

‘I am a SENCO in a two-form-entry primary school in a very affluent area which also has a very high deprivation rate.’

Why did you decide to study the National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) with us?

‘My MA tutor at a London university recommended Real Training. I told her that my new head teacher wanted to appoint me as a SENCO and she suggested Real Training.’

What was your favourite part of the course?

‘The course has helped me to set up the correct targets, create an action plan and put the right provision in place for the children in my school. It has also given me the right guidance to enable me to hold key meetings with staff, parents and external agencies.’

What impact has it had on your professional life?

‘It’s given me a clear understanding of exactly what I need to do to improve the outcomes of the children in my care. I could do it while I was either at work or at home. So, I could pull up my case studies and have them to hand at work to use and reflect on. Then, I could go back home and speak to people on Real’s Campus Online^TM forum. I never felt lonely.’

What can someone who has taken these modules offer?

‘A huge amount of structured expertise will work its way into their professional practice.’

Why would you advise someone to take this course?

‘Because you have to have it! However, more importantly, it will make a real difference to your professional life and the way in which you support children and liaise with parents and staff.’

What do you do?

‘I’m a SENCO at a primary school and also work with Key Stage 3 students as part of the British Dyslexia Association’s Children will Shine project.’

Why did you decide to study the National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) with us?

‘The funding came out for the training and I needed to do a course that fitted perfectly into my busy family and work commitments. This was very good, because it fitted round me, as opposed to me having to fit round other people.’

What was your favourite part of the course?

‘All of it. Particularly, the clear impact that it has had on my professional life.’

What impact has it had on your professional life?

‘It’s really helped me prioritise things; it’s helped on the managerial side too: the paperwork, the organisation. It’s helped me to be proactive. I’ve carried out in-depth studies of TAs which have enabled me to go to the head and say: ‘We need to change the way in which we are working and here’s the evidence to back it up.’

How did you find distance learning?

‘It’s been perfect because it’s fitted in with my life.’

What can someone who has taken these modules offer?

‘The ability to assess and understand a child’s learning in a way that is neither typical nor available in other forms of teacher training. It is a unique opportunity to develop a wealth of consultation skills.’

Why would you advise someone to do this course?

‘Because it will make you realise that there’s a lot more around the child than just the child as well. It will help you to work with the parents because the parents are just as vulnerable as the children.’

What do you do?

‘I am a SENCO at a mainstream co-ed school with approximately 1,100 pupils.’

Why did you decide to study the National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) with us?

‘I have to have this award to work in this area. I found Real Training on the Internet, rang them up and quite liked them. I then went to plead my case with the school and they helped me to pay for it.’

What was your favourite part of the course?

‘Funnily enough, I particularly enjoyed the bits on legislation and the reflective learning logs.’

What impact has it had on your professional life?

‘I’ve become a much more reflective practitioner. I was reflective before, but my thoughts were all over the place. Now, I can organise these thoughts and am proactive about changing and implementing things.’

What can someone who has taken these modules offer?

‘It will really help them to develop the right skills and competence in their legislation, research, processes and good practice guidance.’

Why would you advise someone to do this course?

‘Because it’s made a real difference to my understanding and practice.’

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

I was keen to complete an online course as I have a toddler at home who keeps me very busy. I wanted something that would fit in with working part time and looking after my daughter so this seemed like the perfect option to me. I also liked the idea of being able to complete tasks in my own time and at my own rate, meaning I could make the most effective use of my time, including nap times and evenings! When researching possible courses, I was interested in the different modules and was encouraged by the fact I would not be required to attend a university campus as I thought this may be quite tying.

What was your experience of learning with Real Training?

I have received brilliant tutoring from Joan. She always responds to emails quickly and in detail and is always happy to help and offer suggestions. I really appreciate all the support I have received! Thank you! I enjoyed taking part in a placement as that gave me strong links with other local SENCos. I also found the reviewing of provision within my setting to be extremely useful and beneficial.

I have been really happy with the quality of the programme. I have felt it all to be relevant to my role in school and I have enjoyed learning more about the various requirements of a SENCo. I have had a very positive experience with this course. I have been able to fit this around working part time and looking after my toddler. I have enjoyed developing my own understanding and feel very lucky to have been able to do so at my own pace and from the comfort of my own home.

Thank you!! It’s been a long journey and I’ve finally reached this end…I hope to take additional courses in the future as I have really enjoyed completing this one (more so than I anticipated), but for now…rest!.

How has the course(s) helped make an impact at school?

I have reviewed provision in detail as a result of the tasks in this course. I have also increased in confidence and feel more confident when speaking with staff about their roles which has resulted in more effective provision and outcomes for the children, especially those on passports (IEPs).

I increased the amount of support for children with SEMH needs following one of the assignments. I am keen to monitor and track the provision as the course has shown me that this is a key role in assessing the effectiveness of an intervention.

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?

Creating links with another local school (placement task)

Increased confidence with own abilities and knowledge

Increased understanding of leadership responsibilities which has in-turn increased confidence too

I have an increased awareness of the role of SENCo and am much more confident in delegating roles and ensuring staff are completing their roles effectively.

Why did you decide to study the National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) with us?

Real Training was recommended to me by a colleague, I researched other providers but preferred the Real Training platform and I had previously studied with Middlesex University.

What was your experience of learning with Real Training?

I love the campus online platform and my tutor was fantastic – he was very supportive and gave me lots of encouragement along the way.

Strands 1 and 2 were very useful, however, I enjoyed Strand 3 the most. I loved completing the Masters assignment in Strand 3 – the topic is something I feel passionately about and it was therefore a task I really enjoyed.

How has the course(s) helped make an impact at school?

Changes I have implemented in the department have already seen impact with student engagement and behaviour.

I also introduced a number of interventions during the course and we have some new assessment tools for next term. Over the course of Strand 2 I identified that SEMH was an area that the school that needed to provide more provision for and this year I have trained one of the SEND team to lead the department on supporting for our students with SEMH issues. Following discussions with other delegates from the National Award for SEN Coordination with Real Training, my department is now also running The Boxall Profile to assess our students with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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?

I was very concerned at the start of the course as I had not completed any formal assignments for a number of years and had concerns I would struggle with the Masters level writing.

I now feel more confident regarding SEND but also in my ability to study and succeed in further Masters level modules/courses. I am now looking forward to starting my next Real Training course the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL).