This book meets the needs of those participating in the new 'National Award for SEN Co-ordination' programme. It evaluates, analyses and critiques the practice of the SENCO role at an academic level suitable to the award.

This book offers valuable insights into the role of the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) and aims to illustrate, evaluate and analyze the characteristics and practice of the SENCo role. This new edition has been updated to reflect changes in legislation and the framework for the National Award for SEN Coordination (NASC). Transforming the Role of the SENCO reflects the three areas of development of the NASC leaning outcomes: Professional Knowledge and Understanding; Leading and Coordinating Provision; and Personal and Professional Qualities. The book links directly to the NASC learning outcomes, whilst remaining both cutting edge and relevant to ‘real world’ practice. Key features of this second edition include: • Updated content in light of the SEND Code of Practice 0 – 25 (2015) • Contributions from thought leaders in the field of SEN and Inclusion • Vignettes offering clear, practical, and well theorized examples of the work of SENCos, based on conversations with stakeholders currently involved in the field. This is a key text for SENCos, particularly those undertaking the National Award for SEN Coordination, as well as for students studying SEN and Inclusion on other courses and modules who may aspire to the role of the SENCo.

This book meets the needs of those participating in the new 'National Award for SEN Co-ordination' programme. It evaluates, analyses and critiques the practice of the SENCO role at an academic level suitable to the award.

‘Up- to-date and reflective of new government policy, this book will be an essential resource for all Senior Leaders and SENCOs.’ – Lynne Cook, Senior Lecturer in Education, Oxford Brookes University The Changing Face of Special Educational Needs shows teachers, SENCOs and students in teacher training how to respond to the rapidly changing context of special education. This highly practical and accessible text unlocks the often confusing field of special education provision in schools today by: Summarising and clarifying new policy directions as they emerge, in light of recent coalition government policies on Education, SEN and Disability; Suggesting clear, practical activities to bring the theory to life, helping practitioners to review and reflect upon their work; Encouraging critical reflection about existing systems within the school context, considering whether these will remain appropriate and ‘fit for purpose’; Giving opportunities for teachers, SENCOs and senior leaders to contextualise the new changes in terms of the implications for practice in their own school. Packed with activities, case studies and points for reflection, this timely book will help the teacher, SENCO, senior leader or advisor to make sense of the rapid pace of change of policy and terminology related to SEN. It will help practitioners in a positive and supportive way, emphasising the exciting opportunities that these changes will provide for developing new, innovative and creative working practices. This book will also be essential reading for all SENCOs completing the National Award for SEN Coordination.

Quickfall and Wood outline a policy direction concerning the work of teachers and leaders which is necessary to reorientate the education system in England to one which encourages individuals to become teachers, and which sustains them in a supportive professional environment once they are there.

Helen Curran’s invaluable book aims to support new and experienced SENCOs with the task of developing and leading special educational needs provision and inclusive practice, through the exploration of practical strategies and approaches. This book takes a pragmatic approach to the issues which have historically been associated with the role of the SENCO; namely a lack of time, a lack of resources and often a lack of seniority. The book seeks to provide SENCOs with tried and tested ideas and strategies to support both the operational and strategic aspects of the role, to help SENCOs develop their role as a leader in school. The book covers the following areas: The SENCO role in policy and practice The SENCO as a leader Developing relationships with pupils and parents Challenges and opportunities within the role of SENCO A must read for any SENCO, this book draws upon case studies and real life examples, considering the ways in which SENCOs can shape and develop the status of not only their role, but also SEN and inclusive provision in their setting.

Inclusive education is complex, multi-faceted and ever-changing and to date there has been no fixed definition of what is meant by the term ‘inclusion’, leading to confusion about what inclusive education actually means in practice. This key text introduces readers to the underlying knowledge and wider complexities of inclusion and explores how this can relate to practice. Considering inclusion as referring to all learners, it surveys the concept of inclusive practice in its broadest sense and examines its implementation in a variety of educational institutions. Throughout the book, international contributors consider this broader concept to critically evaluate the realities of practically implementing inclusive objectives. Each chapter assesses key theories and concepts alongside a range of examples to encourage students to think critically and reappraise their own experience as learners. Key topics covered include: • studying the definition of inclusion • the relevance of pedagogy in inclusive practice • how to lead and manage for inclusion • the issue of inclusion in early years, primary, secondary and post-16 settings • inclusive practice for families • international perspectives on inclusive practice. Fully illustrated with tasks, case studies, discussion questions and recommended reading, Inclusive Education is essential reading for second and third year students looking to extend their research and writing, and to develop their critical and reflective thinking.

This book equips SENCOs and aspiring SENCOs to engage in high level continuing professional development activity associated with studying for mandatory qualifications, and supports critical and innovative practice and career progression. Written by a multi-disciplinary team, it embraces sociological, medical and post-modern perspectives. It will be of interest to researchers and practitioners as it also critiques current theory, legislation, policy and research and how these can be transferred into settings. The book considers issues that SENCo's will experience both in their role and as part of this professional development, identifying the complexity of issues they have to consider and priorities in their role. A range of pedagogic and interactive features are used to support the development of study skills when working at postgraduate level such as: research and literature searching; knowledge building and skills development in SENCo; the ability to galvanise change in their context including difficult and respectful conversations about SEN provision and the development of leadership skills. This book is unique in its link between the academic and professional dimensions of the mandatory qualification - a bridge between engaging in CPD and practice of the SENCo role.

This book aims to highlight outstanding examples of inclusion, focusing on the realistic aspect of practising inclusive education.

Inclusion is increasingly becoming one of the policy drivers shaping educational discourse and practice. What constitutes the term “inclusion” itself and how ideas derived from the different perspectives on inclusion impact school leadership practice point to a highly contested field of enquiry. Originally embedded in discourse relating to special education, ideas relating to inclusion are attracting much broader appeal within system reforms in many jurisdictions. This book seeks to keep the consideration of inclusion firmly in its broader context and to decouple it from the discourse relating to students with special educational/additional needs. This allows the authors to position their contributions more explicitly within discourses that draw on difference and diversity as unavoidable features of schools. Within this collection we address the current political dogmas in many countries that take a purely rational, managerial approach to leadership, arguing that this is not contributing to inclusion in schools. In doing this, the book seeks to shape current discourses on leadership by exploring perspectives which are likely to enhance our understanding of inclusion. Tolerance, respect, listening, clarifying language, being comfortable with differences and ambiguity and articulating and challenging the rationale behind “the way we do things around here” are key aspects of inclusive leadership, and also fundamental imperatives for writing this book. It will be useful to those in education who are engaged in further academic study in education or in reflective practice and to anyone taking advanced programmes in educational leadership and management. The international perspectives on the issue of inclusion informing this book ensure that this book will be essential for those engaged in a comparative analysis of leadership practice in different contexts or those concerned with the complexity of ensuring inclusive models of education.