Initial Teacher Training: SEND
The Qualification
Primary PGCE (with SEND)
Working in collaboration with the University of Winchester, we have co-created a new
PGCE Primary (5-11) with SEND course.
This is a full-time, year-long programme starting in September 2024. 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.
Why choose us?
The Southampton Inclusion Partnership
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. We work with both mainstream and special schools to enhance provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and are based at Springwell School, an outstanding special school in Southampton.
SIP have been successfully training teachers since 2016. Many of our trainees have gone on to teach in special schools, most of which are local to the area and within our alliance. Some of our trainees teach in mainstream schools where they can also put their specialism to good use by using and modelling strategies for pupils with SEND and promoting inclusion.
We firmly believe that every teacher is a teacher of SEND but this course goes a step further, catering for those who wish to deepen their knowledge and specialise in special education needs and disabilities.
The University of Winchester
We are proud to be collaborating on this new course with The University of Winchester. The University was established in 1840 as a teacher training college, and graded as Outstanding by Ofsted since 2005, the University of Winchester has a long history of high-quality and innovative teacher education programmes.
Students attending the University come from a variety of backgrounds from recent graduates to mature learners, and with a wide variety of prior knowledge and understanding of primary teaching. The PGCE Primary programme at the University of Winchester has a high employability rate, with many students securing their first teaching posts in our partnership schools.
The University is accredited by the Department for Education (DfE) for the purpose of delivering initial teacher training programmes to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).
Click here to visit the university's website
Course Overview
Our course fully responds to the government recommendations for the future of teacher training and uses the expertise of SIP and the teaching and SEND team at the University.
Training combines campus and school-based learning. You will experience the benefit of attending campus-based sessions with the University’s Primary PGCE students whilst also receiving training with specialist colleagues on all things SEND!
The taught elements of the course take place on campus at The University of Winchester where you have access to all the resources the University has to offer including: an extensive library (inc. online access), teaching resources that can be used in placement schools, student services and much more.
This course covers everything you need to develop the professional skills associated with high-quality teaching: expert tuition in all primary school subjects, understanding how children learn and effective pedagogy; meeting the needs of all learners, and professional skills.
Knowledge and understanding of primary teaching and all national curriculum subjects is developed through working with University tutors with extensive experience and expertise in primary phase education. SEND specialist training sessions are led by the University SEND team and teachers and leaders working in school settings. Our diverse partnership enables you to receive the most up-to-date research whilst learning how the theory applies to school settings from school staff.
There are three assignments spread out over the year linking to our different modules. Assignments are well supported with clear guidance, dedicated sessions and an assignment tutor. Progress is tracked against the Core Content Framework culminating in an assessment against the Teachers' Standards (Department for Education 2012). Our programme prides itself on the support and guidance offered to students.
School Placements
One of our biggest assets is the range of schools and professionals we work with to make this course possible and relevant. Our programme runs in close partnership with a wide range of mainstream, special schools and educational settings.
Your first placement is in a mainstream primary school and the second in a special school. Placing equal importance on both types of settings results in flexible teachers who understand that supporting SEND is of vital importance in all schools.
In school, you will be supported by the class teacher, your mentor for the duration of the placement. The balance of teaching and learning is carefully managed and increases gradually with each placement to enable you to thrive in the classroom and find your own individual teaching style.
You will spend 120 days on school placement with a further 20 days focusing on a series of carefully planned Intensive Training and Practice days (ITAP). ITAP days take place at key points in the year and focus on four key areas of learning such as creating positive learning environments, assessment, explaining and modelling. During these days, school-based mentors and training leads work together to support you to rehearse, practice and revise key teaching principles first on campus and then in school. This makes the links stronger between theory and practice.
Teaching placements are are predominantly in Hampshire schools. We also work in partnership with schools in Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Surrey. Placement allocations are informed by your location, travel options and the experiences you need. Our special school placements cover a wide variety of both Primary and Secondary schools that specialise in Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, Severe Learning Difficulties and Social Emotional and Mental Health.
Special & Mainstream Schools we work with
Qualifications and Qualities
To apply for this course you will need the following:
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At least a GCSE (or equivalent) Grade C or a Grade 4 in English language/literature, maths and a science subject
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A bachelor's degree: minimum entry requirement is a lower second (2:2)
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Some experience working with children or young adults (this might not be in a school setting) is desirable to support your decision to undertake teacher training
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We advise anyone wanting to join our specialist PGCE with SEND course to spend at least a day in a special school before starting the course
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
Applying
Courses can be viewed and applied to via DfE Find:
https://www.gov.uk/find-postgraduate-teacher-training-courses
To read about the course and apply:
Search for The University of Winchester - W76
Select 'Primary' and 'Find Courses'
The course code and title are - Primary (SEND) R854
Read about the course and scroll to the bottom where there will be a green link saying 'Apply for this course'
Alternatively, applications can also be submitted via DfE Apply:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training
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.
Open Evening
Open Evenings are a great way for you to find out more about the teacher training courses on offer at Winchester, meet the academics leading the courses you are interested in and speak with current students. Please follow the link below to the University of Winchester’s site to book your place.
You are also most welcome to speak to the teacher training lead at the Southampton Inclusion Partnership
(Janina Spencer) to find out more.
Please contact info@southamptoninclusion.net for more details.
School Visits
We encourage visits to our alliance special 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
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.
Tel: 023 80 445 981
Email: info@southamptoninclusion.net