Leeds Trinity University provides postgraduate training to professionalise the SENCo role, improve pupil outcomes and to invest in and retain current SENCos.

It is a requirement that all schools have a qualified SENCo and all new to role SENCos will need to achieve this qualification within three years of taking up their post. 

This course is taught over ten teaching days over a period of a year or across an academic year. You will focus on both SENCo as practitioner and SENCo as leader across two modules.

You will be asked to explore the reasons why a child cannot access learning and will develop innovative ways to remove barriers to progression for children and young people with SEND. You will develop skills to critically evaluate policy and provision to develop outstanding inclusive practice with children and care givers. 

You will also develop skills to understand each child’s needs and start the journey to becoming an expert in identification and assessment to allow personalised planning and support to be developed so no child is left behind in their educational journey.

Celebrating strengths in children and planning for teaching methods which incorporate these will be explored in detail.

You will develop:

• Professional knowledge and understanding that you as a SENCo will need.
• Expertise and capabilities that a SENCo needs to lead and coordinate effective provision.
• Personal and professional qualities that are specific to your role, and will be key in you making a positive impact on the ethos and culture in your setting will also be explored and developed.

You will evaluate evidence-based practice on learning, teaching and assessing students with SEND, such as the impact of research evidence on different literacy schemes or the impact of CPD on support staff effectiveness in schools.

The course is delivered as blended learning with on-campus days, work-based tasks and activities on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

The course will take place within our excellent School of Teacher Education in the Institute of Childhood and Education at Leeds Trinity University, with the support of our on-campus support services such as the library and Learning Hub. You will have a personal tutor who will support you in developing your own school-based practice and in submitting your final work-based portfolio.

Career progression

After completing the PG Cert, you could apply for new opportunities within SEN, as well as promotions to senior leadership roles. SENCos could also provide consultancy to other schools in a Multi Academy Trust, or undertake further postgraduate study and research.

Why study with us

• Developed for SENCos by SENCos, with the now-legal requirement as its focus.
• The course is aligned with the national outcomes for the NASENCo qualification and the national strategy which focuses on the development of skilled professionals who work in a range of provision in both mainstream and specialist settings.
• Learn from staff who are highly experienced in SEND practice.
• Receive highly personalised learning to help you develop your skills and school-based practice to work strategically in educational settings.
• Grow your professional networks with practitioners and leaders in the field of SEN.
• Benefit from campus-based learning, with personal tutors and support services such as our Learning Hub, which provides personalised academic support, and our library. 
• Progress onto further postgraduate study or research, using credits gained on the course towards a postgraduate diploma or Master's degree.
• On completion of the course, join our Leeds Trinity Alumni community and benefit from our networks, research and conference opportunities.
• Enhance your career opportunities within SEN, senior leadership or consultancy to education providers.
• Leeds Trinity University is on the LLSENDCIC (Leading Learning for Send Community Interest Company) Register of Quality Providers for our National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination (NASENCo) programme.

Applications for September 2023 entry are now closed. Applications for 2024 entry open in early October.

Information for applicants awaiting award results

For any students applying for postgraduate study with Leeds Trinity University, who are impacted by UCU action connected to the marking of assessment for their first degree, the University has agreed the following approach:

New postgraduate students will be permitted to enrol on their LTU postgraduate programme but will remain provisionally registered with the University pending the final award of their degree. The deadline for confirmation of their final award is Friday 27 October 2023.

During the period of provisional registration, any finance arranged via the Student Loans Company, ITT bursaries etc will not be paid out. Payments to eligible students will be triggered when a student has met all their conditions of entry and are fully registered with the University. Students who do not meet the conditions of entry, following confirmation of a late award, will be withdrawn.

Applicants who have been made an offer for a postgraduate programme at LTU starting in September 2023 and are impacted by the UCU action may contact the Admissions team to discuss their position at Admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk