Professional Practice Programme 2023/2024
| COURSE NAME | START DATE | TIME | WEEKS | COST | BOOK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEN FIRST: An Introduction to Special Education Needs | Monday 15th January 2024 | 18:30 -20:30 | 10 | £250 Funding is available via Skill Up for a limited number of places. | Closed for booking |
| Spotlight on Maths Anxiety | Thurs 8th February 2024 | 5pm-7pm | 1 | £30 | Closed for booking |
Please note courses are now closed for booking for 23/24. Please keep an eye on our pages for 24/25 courses, coming soon.
An Introduction to Special Education Needs (Online)
Tutors: Mrs Lois Totton, plus guest lectures each week
Monday 15th January x 10 weeks 6:30-8:30pm
This course is an exciting opportunity for educational professionals and parents to come together to learn more about a range of special educational needs (SEN). The course is suited to a wide range of educational professionals, especially those in mainstream education, who would benefit from acquiring a basic overview of and introduction to SEN. This is a practical, professional development course rather than an in-depth Master’s module. It may therefore be ideal for those whose initial training did not include SEN in detail, or those who feel they need a refresher course. Students from previous years have included teachers (nursery, primary and post-primary), classrooms assistants, parents, voluntary sector workers, museum assistants, early year’s professionals and youth workers.
Students complete all 10 weeks on the course, and after assessment receive a Certificate of Attainment.
Funded places are now available for this course via Skill Up. To apply please follow the link in the table above.
Spaces are limited. We will be in touch to confirm if you have a place in due course.
| Week | Date | Topic | Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15th January 2024 | Intro: SEN, Inclusion and Code of Practice | Dr Noel Purdy and Lois Totton |
| 2 | 22nd January 2024 | Autism | Middletown Centre for Autism |
| 3 | 29th January 2024 | Downs Syndrome | Downs Syndrome Association |
| 4 | 5th February 2024 | Social Behavioural and Emotional Well-being (SBEW) | Maria Stewart (EA) |
| 5 | 12th February 2024 | Hearing & Visual Impairment | Stephen Porter/ Wendy Martin (EA Peripatetic Support Service) |
| 6 | 19th February 2024 | Dyslexia | Maria Stewart (EA) |
| 7 | 26th February 2024 | Speech Language and Communication Needs | Brid Tate (Thornfield School) |
| 8 | 4th March 2024 | Working as an LSC (Learning Support Co-ordinator) | Lorraine Hamill (Templepatrick PS) |
| 9 | 11th March 2024 | Plans and Targets for children with SEN | Lorraine Hamill (Templepatrick PS) |
| 10 | 25th March 2024 | Conclusions, Assignment Preparation & Evaluation | Lois Totton |
For the full list of courses available via the Skill Up Programme please download the flyer here.
Spotlight on Maths Anxiety
Tutor: Dr Pamela Moffett
Thursday 8th February 5-7pm
The term ‘mathematics anxiety’ has been used to describe feelings of tension, apprehension or fear that some individuals experience when they are required to complete mathematics related tasks. Research demonstrates that mathematics anxiety can have a negative impact on a number of cognitive processes that are involved in solving mathematical problems. For many learners, the real root of their difficulties may be mathematics anxiety rather than a fundamental difficulty with mathematics.
This course will examine possible causes of mathematics anxiety, symptoms of mathematics anxiety and its potential impact on children’s learning in mathematics. Identification of mathematics anxiety will also be considered. Participants will explore the implications for practice, including the importance of providing an effective learning environment which aims to develop mathematically resilient learners.
This course will be ideal for practitioners who are interested in mathematics learning difficulties and wish to develop their knowledge and awareness of mathematics anxiety and how it might be addressed in the classroom.