NASENCO course

[Dolceandgabbana14]

I've spent the evening compiling a comparison chart for the NASENCO course, and I'm still none the wiser! I live in Berkshire, and would be happy to travel for a few face to face days if the course had a manageable amount of coursework. Any recommendations from those of you who have already done it? Any providers to avoid? I really don't want to do a presentation, so I'm looking carefully at the assessment criteria. I'm particularly interested in feedback about Reading University (information is very vague on their website), University of Gloucestershire and Edge Hill, as well as the distance learning providers. Many thanks.

I did mine with Real Training. It was an online provider with Uni of Uxbridge. Was a lot of work... The ones my LEA are now offering only have to do three assignments and I had about a billion. Can’t remember who theirs is with but may be worth looking at your LA to find out if they do one.

Thanks, I've emailed and called my local university which advertises the course, but haven't heard anything back from them. Not the best advert if they can't even be bothered to reply to prospective students - makes me wonder what the support would be like for those who study with them!

I've heard other good reviews about Real Training, so I will investigate this company further. Sadly, I don't think our local authority offer this training. Well done for completing yours though!

They still charge, but it was via a course provider. What I’m essentially saying is look at the level of work you will have to complete. I think mine in total was well over 30,000 words just for the major assignments which was a ridiculous amount to try and do on top of the actual job. Whereas the one my LA are now offering is far less demanding!

If you ring nasen they will help: www.nasen.org.uk/#

Tel: 01827 311500

Opening Hours : Monday to Thursday 09:00 - 17:00 Friday 09:00 - 16:00

Thanks everyone. I discovered that Edge Hill only accept people who are in post as SENCo already, or who will be in post within the months of starting the course. I know this is not at all likely to happen so that rules Edge Hill out. Reading University did get back to me just after I wrote my last post with some detailed information, but it wasn't clear of they accepted aspiring SENCOs, and if so, whether they would sign them off at the end of the course or if, like another provider, you would have to do the course but be unable to complete it until you are in post AND complete the portfolio of evidence to evidence the 49 standards, which had to be within three years. I don't want to do all that work then be under a time limit which means I may or may not actually achieve the award, if that makes sense! Word count and assignments is one of the things I've included in my spreadsheet - they vary so much for exactly the same qualification! I'm definitely trying to keep it manageable so I am indeed crossing off providers that have high word counts and presentations because I'm rubbish at public speaking and I don't want to add to the stress any more than I have to

I should have said, the University of Gloucestershire has a low word count but requires a presentation, so that's been eliminated from my list. Shame, because it sounded perfect in all other areas!

I discovered that Edge Hill only accept people who are in post as SENCo already, or who will be in post within the months of starting the course

I think everyone on my NASENCO was an existing senco or assistant senco. Are you working in a school as a class teacher currently?

I did mine through the University of Herts. It was loads of work, but only two actual assignments of 4500 words each.

I'm an Interventions Manager at the moment but I work in the same office as the SENCo and we collaborate on most aspects of her work. I think it's just the technicality of my job title, which I'm sure the Head will agree to tweak for the purposes of the course!

I’ve just finished the course - got my portfolio pass confirmation today

I just wanted to ask what about the presentation put you off? I had to do two - one individual and one as part of a group and they were both far less onerous than the research project. Send me a PM if you want more details :)

I’m doing mine this year at University of Birmingham. I’m really enjoying it. It’s 10 teaching days in university and 3 4000 assignments. The assignments are structured as patchwork essays, making them easier to fit around work.

Well done Four! I'm quite a nervous person and public speaking fills me with dread, even within a group 😳 I'd far rather write an extra essay!

Glad you're enjoying the course, Dan. I think I would as well. It's good to hear that the essays are done in such a way that you can fit them in with 'life'. Ten days might be too much for me though - Birmingham is two and a half hours away for me 😏

www.roehampton.ac.uk/postgraduate-courses/national-award-for-sen-coordinators/