NPQ for SENCOs

Our National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs) is designed for experienced teachers and leaders who are seeking to develop their expertise in leading special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision in their school, or to become a SENCO.

NPQs at the National Institute of Teaching are school-led: our organisation was founded by four leading Multi-Academy Trusts, and our programmes are designed and delivered with a focus on the realities of schools. Because teachers’ time is precious, our programmes are respectful of your time, and designed to have immediate impact on the pupils and colleagues in your school, as well as the colleagues and children you will work with in the future.

Overview

In too many settings, pupils with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) do not progress in line with their peers without SEND. The work of a great SENCO can support these pupils who most require support to flourish socially and academically. SENCOs perform a critical role in every school in the UK, both in the bespoke support for some pupils with SEND and in their promotion of teaching, curriculum and behaviour approaches that work for all pupils, including those with SEND.

The NPQ for SENCOs will ensure you are ready to take on this vital, statutory role in any school setting. You will understand and be able to undertake all statutory aspects of the role, as well as to lead practices across the whole school that benefit all pupils, including those with SEND, such as embedding instructional practices that lead to the greatest pupil progress. Throughout the qualification, you will be led by expert, experienced SENCOs to help you secure the practices and approaches for you to lead this area across a school. By working to improve the practice of all school colleagues, you will have a dramatic impact on the potential outcomes and opportunities open to young people with SEND needs.

How to apply

To join the next NIoT NPQSENCO cohort, please complete our online application form.

Funding

Funding update for Autumn 2024:

The DfE has now confirmed that all state schools are eligible for fully-funded places on the NPQ for SENCOs Autumn 2024 cohort.

If your school is not eligible for funding, the programme cost is £1250.

For more information and how to apply please click on the link below:  

National Professional Qualification for SENCOs