NPQ for SENCO

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From September 2024, the National Professional Qualification (NPQ) became the mandatory qualification for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators, (SENCOs), replacing the previous NASENCO qualification. The 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) provisions in their school, or to become a SENCO. This is an 18 month programme starting in April 2025.

Considerations for schools and current SENCOs.

• Current SENCOs with NASENCO are exempt but must ensure training completion is within three years of appointment.
• SENCOs appointed before September 2009 are exempt from the NPQ for SENCOs but must ensure regulatory compliance.
• Those already enrolled in NASENCO can continue until the 2023-2024 academic year's end. However, those starting NASENCO from 2023 to 2024 must complete it within three years of appointment or transition to an NPQ by Spring 2025.
• Aspiring SENCOs must start NASENCO before September 2024 or enrol in an NPQ course by then. 

Apply here  

 Benefits

The programme is school led, delivered by facilitators that work in schools.

The programme is centred on impact: our aim is for your practice to improve and develop in your current context, and for you to be ready and to take the next step in your career as a result of learning with us.

The programme is respectful of your time: we know you spend most of your time doing the most important job there is – serving the children in your community. The programmes are designed to be flexible, to deliver exactly what you need in the most time-efficient manner possible, and to have impact.

The programme is rooted in research: every aspect of what you learn is based on the best available research as well as what we have seen and experienced to work best in our founding multi-academy trusts and associate colleges.

Curriculum - you will learn

• How to create a culture of high expectations and achievement for all pupils, allowing those with SEND to flourish
• How to enact the statutory framework and meet all compliance aspects of the role of SENCO
• How to deploy colleagues and resources to support individual pupils to overcome particular barriers
• Reviewing pupil progress and adjusting plans in consultation with stakeholders
• Supporting teachers and leaders to plan and adapt lessons to suit the needs of all pupils
• Fostering the motivation of pupils with SEND and ensuring they are supported by school culture and climate
• How to lead, monitor and review whole-school SEND provision and practices

Funding

You may be able to get your NPQ course fees paid for by the Department for Education (DfE). This is called scholarship funding.  You do not need to apply for it.

When you register for an NPQ, DfE will tell you if you are eligible for funding. 

From spring 2025, scholarship funding to cover the full NPQ course cost will be available to teachers and leaders from:

• schools: the top 50% of state funded schools in England that have the highest proportion of students attracting pupil premium, as set out in the eligibility lists
• 16-19 settings: the top 50% of state funded settings in England that have the highest proportion of students eligible for disadvantage funding 

For the early years leadership NPQ, highly disadvantaged early years settings will also be eligible.    

You will only be eligible for scholarship funding for the spring 2025 cohort if your setting is on one of the eligible disadvantaged settings lists and you are taking one of the following NPQs:

• leading teacher development
• leading teaching
• leading behaviour and culture
• leading literacy
• senior leadership
• executive leadership
• early years leadership

Eligibility lists for the spring cohort will be made available in early 2025.

Assessment 

In order to receive NPQSENCO accreditation, participants will need to complete the programme and achieve a pass mark in a written, ‘open book’ style, structured assessment of up to 2000 words.

Assessment support clinics will be provided to participants before they embark on gaining their accreditation.

The assessment itself takes place over an eight-day window. There are two assessment windows per year and participants have two opportunities to take part.