Special Educational Needs, Disability & Inclusion (SENDI) with Foundation Year

Program Overview

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Special Educational Needs, Disability & Inclusion (SENDI) with Foundation Year

Overview

This course equips you with a critical understanding of sociological, psychological, and philosophical values that shape Special Educational Needs, Disability, and Inclusion (SENDI). You will explore policy and practice in different educational, cultural, and social settings, promoting appreciation for the need for inclusive, relevant, and ever-changing strategies to meet diverse learning needs.

Why Study This Course

Do you want to be an advocate for change for atypical learners? Explore how categories of need are created through divisions within social and educational systems and learn to challenge these inequalities.

Course Summary

Throughout the study of Special Educational Needs, Disability, and Inclusion (SENDI), you will examine theoretical arguments in relation to opportunities and challenges for different groups in society. The course offers placements where you can engage with practice and develop an understanding of different categories of need, including cognition & learning, social, emotional, and mental health, sensory, and communication needs.

Key Facts

• Award: BA (Hons)
• UCAS code: X36F
• Duration: 4 years
• Mode of study: Full-time
• Start date: September 2025
• Awarding institution: Bishop Grosseteste University
• Institution code: B38

Entry Requirements

Application for this course is via UCAS, although there is no formal requirement for UCAS points to access the course (normally GCSE English or equivalent is desirable). As part of your application, you will have the opportunity to speak with a member of BGU Admissions staff to resolve any questions or queries you may have.

Course Structure

Foundation Year

• Self as Learner
• Resourcing Learning
• Critical Engagement
• Critical Thinking
• The Digital Learner
• Effective Communication
• Reflective Learning
• Academic Writing
• Barriers to Learning
• Learning to Learn
• The Whole Child: Holistic Approaches to Meeting Needs
• From Excluded to Included: A Century of Change

Year 1

• Meeting Different Needs
• Professional Contexts
• Interpreting the World: Research and Practice
• Labels and Acronyms: Categories of Need
• Rhetoric or Reality?
• Global Approaches to Inclusion

Year 2

• Hidden Inequalities
• Leading the Learning Environment
• Capstone Project Proposal
• Spectrums and Kaleidoscopes
• Contemporary Issues in Inclusion

Year 3

• Capstone Project

Assessment

Your first year in SENDI is important. We know that you will need time to settle into university and build up your academic skills, and so, we will give you detailed feedback on how you are doing and set your targets to improve your work. We use a wide range of different types of assessment throughout the course, including coursework portfolios, group discussions, multimedia technology presentations, and individual projects, as well as essays and a timed assessment (year 3).

Careers & Further Study

You will be supported throughout your study by opportunities to explore different career aspirations, working with our specialist team at BGFutures. Guest speakers share their professional experiences, which can open new ideas for you. Progression has included graduate employment, teaching, social work, creative therapies, speech and language therapy, senior education managers, and residential care. Progression to further study at Master’s level is a further choice.

What Our Students Say

• 87% say staff value students' views and opinions about the course
• 97% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well
• 85% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course

Academic Staff

• Dr. Julia Lindley-Baker
• Dr. Maria Efstratopoulou
• Dr. Tracy Jeffery
• Dr. Duncan Mercieca
• Rebecca Fielden

Further Information

Click here for important information about this course, including additional costs, resources, and key policies.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Overview:

• This program equips students with a critical understanding of sociological, psychological, and philosophical values that shape Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion (SENDI).
• The program explores policy and practice in various settings, promoting appreciation for inclusive strategies to meet diverse learning needs.
• It challenges students' pre-existing beliefs and values and provides them with the knowledge and skills to become advocates for change.
• The program focuses on various categories of need, including cognitive & learning, social, emotional & mental health, and sensory & communication needs.

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Objectives:

• Develop knowledge and understanding of different categories of need.
• Acquire skills in meeting needs through examining theory and engaging in research-based placements.
• Become an advocate for change and challenge inequalities.

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Program Description:

• This program is structured to develop subject specific confidence and graduate attributes through studying broad themes initially to more specialised SENDI topics.
• The program challenges how we see, interpret, and respond to needs in practice, seeking solutions and opportunities to become advocates for change.
• Students will develop knowledge and understanding of different categories of need and acquire skills in meeting needs through examining theory and engaging in research-based placements.

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Outline:

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Program Content:

• The program covers a broad spectrum of topics related to SENDI, including:
• Barriers to learning
• Learning to learn
• The whole child: holistic approaches to meeting needs
• From excluded to included: a century of change
• Meeting different needs
• Rhetoric or reality?
• Professional contexts
• Interpreting the world: Research and practice
• Labels and acronyms: Categories of need
• Global approaches to inclusion
• Hidden inequalities
• Leading the learning environment
• Spectrums and kaleidoscopes
• Contemporary issues in inclusion

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Structure:

• The program is divided into four years, with the first year being a Foundation Year.
• The Foundation Year provides an introduction to university studies and equips students with the necessary academic skills and knowledge to progress through the program.

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Individual Modules:

• The program comprises several modules, each with its own learning objectives and content:
• Self as Learner
• Resourcing Learning
• Critical Engagement
• Critical Thinking
• The Digital Learner
• Effective Communication
• Reflective Learning
• Academic Writing
• Barriers to Learning
• Learning to Learn
• The Whole Child: Holistic Approaches to Meeting Needs
• From Excluded to Included: A Century of Change
• Meeting Different Needs
• Rhetoric or Reality?
• Professional Contexts
• Interpreting the World: Research and Practice
• Labels and Acronyms: Categories of Need
• Global Approaches to Inclusion
• Hidden Inequalities
• Leading the Learning Environment
• Spectrums and Kaleidoscopes
• Contemporary Issues in Inclusion
• Capstone Project Proposal
• Capstone Project

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

• The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:
• Short-form writing
• Annotated bibliographies
• Presentations
• Digital technologies
• Reflective journals
• Academic essays
• Timed assessment
• Capstone project

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Assessment Criteria:

• The program uses various assessment criteria to evaluate student learning, including:
• Knowledge and understanding of SENDI concepts
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Communication and writing skills
• Research and evaluation skills
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:
• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Seminars
• Practical workshops
• Coursework
• Work-based placements

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Faculty:

• The program is taught by experienced faculty with expertise in SENDI, including:
• Dr Julia Lindley-Baker
• Dr Maria Efstratopoulou
• Dr Tracy Jeffery

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Unique Approaches:

• The program emphasizes a student-centered approach, providing students with opportunities to explore their career aspirations and participate in guest speaker sessions.

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Careers:

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Career Paths:

• The program prepares students for a wide range of careers, including:
• Graduate employment
• Teaching
• Social work
• Creative therapies
• Speech and language therapy
• Senior education managers
• Residential care

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Opportunities:

• The program provides students with opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge needed for successful careers in SENDI.

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Outcomes:

• Graduates of the program are well-prepared to make a positive impact in the field of SENDI.

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Other:

• The program emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and aims to create a learning environment that is welcoming and supportive for all students.
• The program provides students with opportunities to engage in research and contribute to the field of SENDI.