Aspiring SENCO Programme

This 3-part programme has been designed for experienced teachers and middle leaders who are interested in learning more about leadership of SEND in mainstream schools.

Participants may be interested in progressing into a SENCO role, or interested in reflecting on how they can be leading effective SEND provision within their subject or pastoral roles. New-to-role SENCOs are also welcome to attend the programme.

The programme consists of 3 x 90 minute sessions held at RLT Central Office. Participants will work collaboratively to build their understanding of:

• SEND Legislation and guidance
• High-quality teaching strategies for all pupils, particularly those with SEND
• Co-production
• Distributed leadership of SEND

Sessions will be divided into the following elements:

Session 1: Tues 3 November 2026, 1.30pm to 3pm

SEND Legislation and guidance and Co-production

• 30 mins pre-reading: SEND Code of Practice – Chapter 6

Session 2: Weds 2 December 2026, 1.30pm to 3pm

Effective Teaching Strategies

• 30 mins pre-reading: Teacher Handbook SEND – Section 6

Session 3: Weds 20 January 2027, 1.30pm to 3pm

Distributed Leadership of SEND

• Pre-session school-based activities

Audience

Aimed at experienced teachers, middle leaders and new-to-role SENCOs. It is particularly suited to those considering progression into a SENCO role or looking to develop effective SEND leadership within their subject, phase or pastoral responsibilities. Relevant to colleagues working in all phases.

About the facilitator

Katherine Walsh is an experienced teacher and school leader, bringing more than 15 years’ experience to her role. She is an experienced SENCO, with experience leading SEND provision in mainstream schools in England and America. Katherine has taught in both primary and secondary schools as a class teacher, qualified teacher of the deaf and autism resource base teacher. Over the past ten years, Katherine has developed particular expertise in working with leadership teams to develop school-wide systems, establishing shared and inclusive visions for the education of children and young people with SEND. Katherine is the regional SEND leader for South Central England and Northwest London with Whole School SEND and was a project director for the Educational Endowment Foundation’s SEND Review Trial. She contributed to the drafting of the NPQ SENCO Content Framework and was a lead author for the Teacher Handbook: SEND.

*This course is funded for colleagues working in River Learning Trust schools.
For OTSA Partner Schools, the cost is £80.80 per person. For non-partners, the cost is £155.67 per person (Eventbrite fees are included).

Most schools and trusts run their own CPD programmes. This programme is being run by River Learning Trust with places offered to colleagues in other schools in partnership with OTSA. Do you have any spare places on school or trust led events/programmes that you would open up to colleagues in other schools? If so, please get in touch (info@otsa.org.uk).

Payment

Payment is required at the time of booking by credit card, debit card or Paypal. Unless otherwise stated, a ticket gives admission to one person at face-to-face and online events. In the event that you share an online event link with other people who then attend the event, including sharing your screen, or you arrive at a venue without a ticket and we are able to admit you, we will invoice you or your organisation for additional tickets retrospectively.

Refunds

No refunds will be given with less than 30 days notice.

In the event of a refund request, please note that the Eventbrite booking fee of 6.95% plus 0.59p per ticket is not refundable.

To keep our event fees as low as possible, we are not able to issue invoices for payment by cheque or bank transfer and we are not able to reserve places without payment.

We strongly recommend that you take out ‘event ticket insurance’ which may cover the cost of your fee should you be unable to attend the event.