Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive Educational Leadership
An online, high-quality and interactive Postgraduate Diploma, led by leadership experts and SEND specialists.
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FIND OUT MOREAbout the course
Designed to be work-based, flexible and a practical programme, this module is designed to build upon the Postgraduate Certificate, or for those with an existing NASENCO qualification. This module is delivered by the University with Leadership Experts, SEND specialists, and in partnership with industry specialist, the SENsible SENCO, Abigail Hawkins. This provides you with the opportunity to learn from the most experienced and advanced Inclusion trainers in the world.
This diploma provides a fully online, high-quality and interactive programme. The experts that deliver lectures on this Diploma have supported thousands of schools and SENCOs, and their aim is to help SENCOs advance further, either within the world of SEND or to utilise what they have gained to develop within other fields.
The Diploma aims to enable teachers to develop their leadership competency and SEND knowledge through critical evaluation of research and scholarship and to integrate this with their own practice. Students will be able to analyse, engage in and reflect on these educational issues and on the implications for their own educational setting. In particular, the course will focus in the following areas:
- Managing and Leading all different types of stakeholders
- Helping schools to deal with complex and entrenched cases
- Helping schools to deal with challenging parents
- Training all staff to be fully inclusive
- Cultural and organisational inclusive leadership
You will learn how to integrate theory and practice to support the development of these roles and in turn, learn how to improve positive outcomes for pupils with SEND.
This course is open to international colleagues who meet the entry requirements. The course lead and tutors are skilled at tailoring content to meet the needs of international colleagues, whilst also ensuring fidelity to the course programme.
Course Highlights
- This is a work based, flexible and practical programme carefully crafted to support new and aspiring Inclusive SEND Leaders into developing critical, reflective and effective practices in their role.
- We advocate inclusive practice and support SEND leaders in using critical reflection, research and tasks to improve provision and outcomes for vulnerable pupils.
- You will be taught and supported by a highly skilled course leader and tutors who are experts in SEND provision.
- Those who successfully complete this Diploma will gain 120 Level 7 credits and may go onto complete the full Masters by completing the dissertation module.
Course breakdown
The Diploma follows on from the Postgraduate Certificate and runs from the following September to May as you will cover two main units. Attendance is required at four online training during the academic year.
The first unit, ‘Improving the Practice of the SEND Department’, explores the methods of increasing knowledge of needs and appropriate teaching strategies that can be used throughout the department. It also looks at ways in which inclusion can be increased across the educational setting and the contribution that can be made to improving outcomes.
This is followed by the ‘Developing Leadership expertise’ unit. This provides further delivery on the role that SENCO has an educational leader. There is practical input relating to key aspects such as resource planning and financial management, coping with conflict, working with parents, training and monitoring staff development.
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Teaching and assessment
All of our postgraduate courses are taught and delivered online, so no matter where you are in your teaching career, or the world, you can with one of the most established teacher training providers in the UK.
Teaching methods
The course is delivered through a combination of seminars and tutorials with input from SEND and Leadership experts.
You will receive a week-by-week guide which will cover a range of different teaching methods including Webinars, Films, Readings and Independent Study. Trainees will meet virtually with their supervisor and engage in five reflective tasks to support understanding and application of the most effective and inclusive practice as a SENCO. You will be fully supported to develop your writing at Level 7 (Masters) standard and will receive training both in theory, developing practice and developing Leadership.
Assessment Methods
An emphasis is put on students to be self-managed, completing work-based reflective tasks in relation to effectiveness in the role of a SEND Leader. Termly, online support is provided from an experienced tutor. You will complete an assessment at master’s level and professional reflections. All work can be completed through distance learning and is supported by online resources via the University’s Moodle platform.
During this time, you will also critically engage with scholarship, which will inform your assessments, and you will learn about different SEND and Leadership theories along with related strategies. You will be expected to read around your subject area but will also be provided with a large number of relevant resources to help you work through the course.
Students will be fully supported through training to be able to complete:
- Five reflective tasks, each of 1500 words.
- The module will work towards the completion of an assignment (8,000-10,000 words), which will bring together all aspects of the course. You will be fully supported in the organisation and planning of this module.
After your course
Upon course completion, you can put what have learnt into practice, benefiting not only your career prospects, but also the generation of pupils that you are supporting. You may also wish to continue your study through to master’s level.
Here are just some of the career opportunities and skills that can stem from studying this course:
Career opportunities
- Become an asset to any School Leadership team.
- Confidently lead a team of SEND specialists.
- Develop your SEND knowledge further still to specialise in this area.
Career skills
- Leadership skills
- Independence
- Perseverance
- Resilience
- Commitment
Careers and Employability Support
Our courses strive to effectively combine academic challenge with the transferable skills that will stand you in good stead for future employment. The Buckingham tutorial teaching model means that our students are well prepared as they embark on their careers and future study.
Find out more about our Careers and Employability Service.
Entry requirements
See our general University entry requirements for information on flexible entry, mature students and alternative qualifications.
UK Offers
To be eligible for this programme, applicants must:
- Have a degree graded 2.2 or above
- Be employed in a school
International Offers
This course is open to international students.
Find out about our requirements and see useful information for international applicants:
If you are uncertain whether you will be eligible to apply for this course, please contact our Education Admissions team.
Course fees
The fees for this course are:
| Start | Type | 1st Year | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 | |
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 |
The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.
Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.
Discounts
Students with an undergraduate degree from The University of Buckingham that plan to continue their studies with a postgraduate degree at Buckingham can benefit from a discount on their fees.
Postgraduates who have completed their Master’s at The University of Buckingham are eligible for a discount on tuition fees for selected Buckingham PhD programmes. Find out more about the Buckingham Postgraduate Discount.
Bursaries and scholarships
We have bursaries and scholarships available for both home and international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level. These are awarded based on location, merit or financial need.
How to apply
Apply direct
Apply online from this page as the most flexible option.
Need help?
Contact the Faculty of Education on +44 (0)1280 820222 or email: education@buckingham.ac.uk
Please note that when applying, you will need to supply a:
- Copy of your degree certificate
- Copy of your passport photo page (and visa/work permit where necessary)
- Signed copy of the headteacher’s declaration
- Head and shoulder style photo for your University identity card.