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.
• Gain advanced knowledge of leadership and change management strategies in SEND, including data-driven budgeting and resource management, workforce planning, and external communication strategies.
• 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 leadership behaviours by working with a specialist coach.
• Benefit from group problem-solving sessions led by an Educational Psychologist every six weeks, 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.

Content overview of the Senior Leader programme:

This programme is designed to build on the skills gained in the National Award for SEN+Coordination (NASENCO) or NPQ SENCO courses, supporting experienced SEND leaders to become even more effective in their roles.

However, it is not a requirement that these qualifications have been undertaken.

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.

Who is this 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

What are the entry requirements

• 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.

What are the benefits of the training?

• 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, 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 assessed?

Termly progress reviews will be conducted where growth and successes will be celebrated. There will be an opportunity to discuss any challenges faced. These will be scheduled with your Mentor and Apprenticeship Coach at a time that is convenient for the delegate.

The final progress review is combined with a  Gateway meeting. Once this is completed the End-Point Assessment will be undertaken.

Delegates will meet their independent End-Point Assessor to present their 4,000-word business proposal and have a professional discussion based on their portfolio of evidence.

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 (2 hours) twice per half-term with SEND experts, plus follow-up discussions and opportunities to share good practice
• Live online SEND community circles – one workshop once a term (optional attendance) will be a 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

Fully fund the Level 7 programme using your Apprenticeship Levy

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 you are a school, nursery, MAT or local authority  apprenticeship-levy paying employer (i.e. you have a wage bill in excess of £3m) then 100% of the apprenticeship is paid for using your employer levy pot.

We advise applicants to discuss details and gain approval to access the employers levy with their Business Manager / Finance Director prior to registration.

If an employer, you do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy then the Government will fund 95% of the apprenticeship and you will need to commit to paying 5% of the fee which is £700.  We should be able to support your (school, MAT, or local authority) 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 November 2024.

Application Deadline:  Please apply as soon as possible to join this cohort.

How to apply

As part of the application process for the Advanced SEND Leader programme, applicants will need to provide:

• An identification document (for example: Passport/ Driving License/ Birth Certificate)
• If you have a residence permit or immigration status code. We will also require 3 years of proof of your address or payslips/P60.
• Copies of your Grade 4 or above at GCSE (level 4) English and maths certificates or Level 1 or 2 Functional skills. Unfortunately, statements cannot be accepted.  (If your certificates are in a different name, we will require you to send through a change of name documentation or a copy of your marriage certificate).

Educational and Sporting Futures Training is delighted to work with Real Group, leading provider of training in educational testing and professional assessment to design this new apprenticeship standard.