Program Overview

Introduction to the NPQ Special Educational Needs Coordinator Programme

The NPQ Special Educational Needs Coordinator programme is designed to equip teachers and school leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead and coordinate special educational needs and disability (SEN and D) provision across an educational setting.

About the Programme

The programme aims to develop participants' professional knowledge and critical understanding of key concepts and debates addressed in the academic and professional literature. It will enable participants to lead and manage SEN provision effectively, implement change successfully, and identify the needs of pupils with SEN.

What You Will Learn

• School Culture: Develop and sustain an inclusive, strengths-based school culture through contributing to its strategic direction, managing resources, and fulfilling statutory duties.
• Behaviour: Contribute to and implement the development of good models of behaviour and learning across the whole school community.
• Implementation: Learn how to implement change successfully within your context by understanding the stages of implementation and applying them with the support of facilitators and colleagues.
• Statutory Framework: Strengthen your knowledge of the legal basis for the SEND Code of Practice and how to work with key stakeholders and leaders to assist your school in meeting its statutory duties.
• Identification of Need: Learn how to work with teachers and leaders to identify the needs of pupils and develop policies and processes to address them.
• Leading and Managing Provision: Learn how to work with other leaders to implement, monitor, and evaluate SEN provision effectively.

Benefits for You

The programme will provide you with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to implement new initiatives and approaches successfully. You will develop your own leadership persona, increase your understanding of the legal basis of the statutory framework, and recognize the importance of planning and monitoring change.

Benefits for Your School

The programme will help create professionally confident teachers and leaders, grow the next generation of leaders with the skills and knowledge to use the evidence-base for the benefit of their children and young people, and ensure that all schools have a SENCO who holds the mandatory SEND qualification.

Is This Programme for Me?

This programme is suitable for you if you are currently working as a SENCO or are interested in developing expertise in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or undertaking a SENCO role in the future.

Programme Duration and Cost

The programme will start in November 2025 and will last for 18 months, followed by an eight-day open book summative case study task. The cost is Ł1,265 (+VAT) for those in independent schools.

Programme Route Map

The programme consists of three modules:

Module 1: Culture and Ethos

• Self-directed study
• Facilitated activities
• Face-to-face learning events
• Formative assessment tasks

Module 2: Learning, Teaching and Assessment

• Self-directed study
• Facilitated activities
• Face-to-face learning events
• Formative assessment tasks

Module 3: Ensuring High Quality Outcomes

• Self-directed study
• Facilitated activities
• Face-to-face learning events
• Formative assessment tasks

Final Assessment Preparation

After completing the three modules, you will prepare for the final summative assessment, which will take place in April 2026 May 2026.

Conclusion

The NPQ Special Educational Needs Coordinator programme is a comprehensive programme designed to equip teachers and school leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead and coordinate special educational needs and disability (SEN and D) provision across an educational setting. The programme will provide you with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to implement new initiatives and approaches successfully, and will help create professionally confident teachers and leaders.