NATIONAL PROGRAMMES
Eastern leadership centre
Eastern leadership centre
Leading from the Middle
The National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCO)
Leading from the Middle (LftM) is a 10-month National College professional development programme for middle leaders. This includes subject and pastoral leaders, SENCOs, gifted and talented coordinators, advanced skills teachers and assessment and career coordinators. 10
Who is it for? It is most appropriate for middle leaders with two to seven years experience in a leadership role. The programme is designed for a minimum of two participants per school. Each of these schools will also require a school-based coach to support their participants throughout the programme. The leadership coach should be an experienced school leader. What are the learning outcomes? LftM is designed around the National Standards for Subject Leaders. Outcomes will be: n Enhanced leadership skills within the context of role, school and development needs
n Increased ability to lead innovation and change n A deepened knowledge and understanding of leading learning and teaching n Improved self-confidence and competence as team leaders n Enhanced skills in building team capacity through efficient use of staff and resources What is the content? LftM consists of five local face–toface sessions taking place over a 10 month period (three full days and two ½ day twilights). The full day sessions focus on Self Awareness, Self Development, and Leading and Managing Change. Participants will also have access to on-line
national programmes
materials and tools and the help of their school based leadership coach to support their leadership development. When and where is it? There are two intakes per year, in April and September, and the ELC provides the LftM programme for the 11 Local Authorities in the Eastern region. What is the cost? For maintained schools with more than 100 pupils, the cost is £530 per participant. Schools with 100 or fewer pupils are fully subsidised by the National College.
This is a national award for teachers appointed to a SENCO role. If you are a SENCO in any maintained school or Academy and you were appointed to your role after 1 September 2008 regulations require you to undertake this qualification. How do I apply? Applications are invited from individual schools or existing school networks. Joint applications from individual teachers in neighbouring schools are also welcome. Please call the team at ELC to discuss your options on 01223 499223 or email lftm@elc-cambridge.org Individual teachers without a coach may also like to see details of ELC’s Stepping into Leadership programme on pages 6-7.
Why should I do it? This nationally-approved training is compulsory for SENCOs new to the role and is funded by the TDA. The EAST (Eastern Area SENCO Training) programme is Master’s-accredited and comes from a partnership between ELC, Cambridge Faculty of Education and Essex and Cambridgeshire LAs. It develops and recognises the wide range of knowledge, skills and attributes essential for SENCOs. What are the learning outcomes? By the end of this programme participants will: n understand national policies and regulations and how these
apply to their SENCO role n know how to identify, assess and provide for pupils with special educational needs and/ or disabilities and know how the curriculum can be adapted n understand the principles and practices of managing and leading change n have carried out a development project in their setting linked to school development priorities n apply the principles of schoolbased enquiry, action research and teacher-led development work.
These require ten days attendance at events delivered via regional and local conferences and taught sessions at local venues. Modules 1 and 2 contain problem-solving groups, local supervision and independent, schoolbased enquiry. The independent study unit consists of a reflective commentary. The combined modules will give participants the National SENCO Award and equate to 65 Master’s level credits which can be used as a platform for further study. Assessment is through a range of written and practical tasks.
What is the content? The course is made up of two taught modules and an independent study.
When is it and where? The course began in January 2010 with Cambridgeshire, Essex and
Hertfordshire LAs, and there will be a further intake in September 2010. What is the cost? If you are a SENCO in a maintained school or Academy (including primary, secondary and special), and were appointed to your SENCO role after 1 September 2008, you are likely to be eligible for TDA funding. This covers the EAST course fees and £1500 towards the costs of supply cover. How do I apply? For further details please contact Stacy Spalthoff on 01223 499224 or email stacy.spalthoff@elc-cambridge.org
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