Initial Teacher Training: SEND
Why choose us?
At the Southampton Inclusion Partnership (SIP), special educational needs and disabilities is our specialism.
Our alliance aims to empower the learning and lives of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and make a real difference to the lives of their families.
Our School Direct programme fully equips trainees with the knowledge and skills to become outstanding teachers of children with a range of special educational needs in both special and mainstream schools. We are proud of our excellent success rate with all our trainees, achieving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with a Post Graduate Certificate in Primary Education specialising in SEND, resulting in full time employment.
One of our biggest assets includes the range of schools and professionals working in partnership with SIP. Host schools enable trainees to experience the complete spectrum of special educational needs ranging from those specialising in complex learning differences, social, emotional and mental health to profound and multiple learning differences.
The SIP alliance is comprised of local special schools and a pupil referral unit with a combined age range of 2 to 19. Local mainstream schools host our trainees for a school placement and are an essential factor in making our trainees’ practice wholly inclusive and well rounded.
Our website should answer many of your questions about our programme but please do not hesitate to contact us if you require further information and/or clarification.
The Qualification
Primary PGCE (with SEND) with QTS
Our Partnership is offering a School Direct (fee-based) Initial Teacher Training Programme for graduates wanting to train to teach children of primary age (5-11 years) with a focus on special educational needs and disabilities. This is a full-time, year-long programme accredited by The University of Winchester.
Successful completion of the course leads to Qualified Teacher Status, either a Postgraduate or Professional Graduate Certificate in Education and credits towards a Master's degree (dependent on the number of credits achieved at Level 7).
Here is the national criteria for different levels of study.
Our Programme
What training will I receive?
Our trainees are school based Monday to Thursday and supported by the class teacher, their teacher tutor for the placement. After an induction period in September, trainees begin by co-teaching with the class teacher and with support, slowly begin to take on more teaching and planning. The balance of teaching and learning is carefully managed throughout the year and increases with each placement and trainee confidence.
Every Friday is spent training either at the University of Winchester or within a SIP school. The training days cover the knowledge and skills you need to become a teacher and support your school based days.
The University provides training on English, maths, science, personalising learning and professional theory and practice. There are three university based assignments spread out over the year linking to the different modules. The University provides an assignment tutor and assignment guidance. SIP allocates trainees study days to aid with workload at specific points in the year.
SIP provides training days based in our partner schools or local mainstream schools. These days complement the university based training but also delve deeper into the theories and practicalities of teaching pupils with SEND. Our training days are led by experienced teaching staff, multi-professionals, senior leaders and specialists from both special and mainstream settings.
Training is adapted yearly based on current educational reforms and feedback from course leads and trainees. Successful completion of the course results in trainees who are well equipped to teach SEND but also mainstream pupils.
School Placements
How do school placements work?
There are three school placements over the year plus an enhanced placement. Two placements are within special needs schools and one placement is within a mainstream school. Placements take place Monday to Thursday during the school terms. Fridays are training days. During the placements, trainees will teach across the primary age-range Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2. We work closely with our trainees to choose the appropriate placements.
The Enhanced Placement takes place during the month of June at the end of the programme. Trainees have the wonderful opportunity to spend a short time in up to four very different schools. These range from nurseries, secondary special schools to a hospital school. Trainees are not expected to teach during this placement, which is aimed at expanding their knowledge of other educational settings.
The two longer placements are within our special needs schools. As the nature of SEND is so wide ranging, we believe it is important for our trainees to experience two different schools, in order to fully prepare for their future career. For our trainees who wish to experience a further mainstream placement, we can offer mainstream experiences during their enhanced placement.
Special School Placements
Mainstream School Placements
Qualifications and Qualities
To apply for this course you will need the following:
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At least a GCSE Grade C or a Grade 4 in English language, maths and a science subject
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Our minimum entry requirement for a first (bachelor's) degree is a lower second (2:2)
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Experience working with children or young adults (this might not be in a school setting) is desirable but not essential
We are looking for future trainees with the following qualities:
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A strong and genuine commitment to teaching
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A commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND
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An understanding of different types of SEND
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An understanding of the challenges you might face during your training
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An ability to reflect on, and learn from your own practice
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An ability to develop and sustain effective working relationships
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Emotional resilience, a sense of humour and energy to deal with competing demands
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An ability to communicate clearly, effectively and succinctly
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An awareness of current issues in education and the role research plays
The University of Winchester
Our accredited body
Shortlisted for University of the Year in the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2017, our accredited training provider is the University of Winchester. Winchester is consistently recognised by Ofsted as a provider of outstanding Initial Teacher Training in England.
Working in partnership, Winchester and SIP provide high quality training ensuring trainees are fully equipped to teach in both primary mainstream and special schools. Experienced teachers, SENCos, SEND specialists, headteachers and other professionals including speech and language specialists contribute to our programme ensuring training is current and delivered with passion and expertise.
Click here to visit the university's website
Applying
How to Apply
1. Search for teacher training course using the Department for Education's Find Tool
2. Search for Southampton Inclusion Partnership and access information about our course
3. Submit an online application via: Apply
*Please note that Apply replaces UCAS.
Our training Provider Code is 26W and our Programme Code is 2QD2. The accrediting provider for this programme is the University of Winchester and the lead school is Springwell School.
For help and support with your application visit the Get into Teaching website.
Fee Details
Tuition Fees and Loans
Our course, like many, is non-salaried. The tuition cost of the year amounts to £9,250. You do not have to pay the cost of your tuition fees up front. You can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the cost of your course which is paid directly to The University of Winchester from Student Finance England. A Maintenance Loan is available to help with living costs.
For excellent practical information, a free phone number and to find out about financial support, please visit The Get Into Teaching Website - Funding my training.
Events and Open Days
Tuesday 11th October 2022
Wednesday 2nd November 2022
Events start at 6.30pm
This informal virtual event is designed for anyone who already has a degree (or is completing a degree) and is interested in teaching – particularly those who are considering starting their initial teacher training this coming September. It offers a wonderful opportunity to have all your questions about teaching and teacher training answered!
You will have the opportunity to:
• discuss the School Direct route into teaching
• ask newly qualified past SIP trainees questions about their training experience with us
• find out about our entry requirements and the structure of the course
• receive advice on submitting a successful application
If you are interested and would like an event invite, please contact us at info@southamptoninclusion.net.
If you have missed the virtual event and would like to find out more, please contact us at info@southamptoninclusion.net . We are very happy to answer any questions.
School Visits
We encourage visits to Springwell School & our partner schools. Visits involve spending time in a special needs classroom and being part of daily school activities. These visits help to give a picture of what special needs teaching can entail and serve to show you the variety of special educational needs within our schools.
Please contact info@southamptoninclusion.net for more details.
Contact Us and Prospectus
If you have any questions or would like to see a copy of our new prospectus please contact us:
Tel: 023 80 445 981
Email: info@southamptoninclusion.net