Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in the Classroom

Duration 8 hours

Last audited 10th February 2023

CPD Approved
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in the Classroom
For me
For teams
  • 100% online training

  • Start when you like

  • Learn on any device (desktop, mobile or tablet)

  • Instant assessment and result

  • 1 learner per course

  • Train teams of all sizes

  • Bulk discounts starting at 10% off 10 courses

  • Pay by invoice with 30 day payment terms available (5+ courses)

£20 +VAT

include vat

Includes a 10% discount for 10+ courses

The percentage of pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) support has been increasing in recent years, with 12.2% of children in England accessing SEN provision in 2021. In light of this growing need, it is vital that education professionals in all education settings understand how to support children with SEND to achieve their best possible outcomes. This is a statutory duty under the 2015 SEND Code of Practice.

This Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in the Classroom course will teach you what you need to know to ensure you are fulfilling your legal responsibilities and following the Graduated Approach to SEND (assess, plan, do, review). It also discusses best practice for supporting children in each of the four areas of need, and what Universal Provision (including high-quality teaching) should look like. The course was written in collaboration with SEND expert, Dr Anita Devi, who is a former SENCo, senior leader, school improvement adviser, and local authority SEND advisory teacher.

100% online training

Access anywhere

Same day digital certificate

Printed certificate posted next working day

Full audio voiceover

Assessment retakes at no extra cost

Developed to utilise animation, instructional video, and user activities to maximise engagement and learning

Developed by education professionals and SEND experts

Accredited by CPD

Accompanying course workbook and a range of downloadable, interactive resources

Earn 8 CPD points on completion

Bulk discount for orders of 10+ courses

The Chartered Teacher Pathway

This CPD course will support you towards The Chartered Teacher Pathway: Development of Teaching Practice Award or the Certificate in Education Research and Inquiry from the Chartered College of Teaching.

"Teachers enrolled on the SEND in the Classroom course with High Speed Training will be really well-equipped to build on their learning through our Chartered Status pathway." - Chartered College of Teaching

What you'll learn

By the end of this course, you will:

  • Understand the SEND Code of Practice 2015, and how to apply it.
  • Develop strategies to create an inclusive classroom environment with high-quality teaching.
  • Understand the Graduated Approach and how to apply it to assess, support, and monitor pupils with SEND or suspected SEND.
  • Understand the four areas of need and recommended provision for each one, in line with the Provision Framework.

Training you can trust

  • Course Content
  • Assessment
  • Suitable for

Module 1: Introduction to SEND

Understanding the legislation, the impact of SEND, inclusion, identifying need, labelling and diagnosis, the Graduated Approach, and the four broad areas of need.

Module 2: Roles and Responsibilities

The Local Authority and the Local Offer, specialists, whole setting responsibilities, individual responsibilities (headteachers and the SLT, governors, SENCos, class and subject teachers, and teaching assistants), and Ofsted expectations.

Module 3: The Graduated Approach

Assess, the Engagement Model, plan (including the Provision Framework), do and review, and Education, Health, and Care Plans and the Graduated Approach.


Module 4: Universal Provision

The learning environment, high-quality teaching, teaching practice (including assistive technology, modelling, and active learning), and assessment (including questioning, low-stakes testing, and feedback).

Module 5: Speech, Language, and Communication Needs

The impact of SLCN, what are speech, language, and communication needs?, typical development: primary and secondary school, types of SLCN and warning signs, assess, plan, do, review (including ideas for Universal, Targeted, and Specialist Provision), and a case study.

Module 6: Cognition and Learning Needs

The impact of cognition and learning needs, the prevalence of cognition and learning needs, what are cognition and learning?, the six elements of cognition, types of cognition and learning needs, and the Graduated Approach - assess, plan, do, and review.

Module 7: Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Needs

What is social, emotional, and mental health?, how can SEMH needs impact a child's learning?, SEMH risk factors, passive and active behaviours, an introduction to emotional, behavioural, and hyperkinetic disorders, assess and plan (including adaptations to Universal Provision), Targeted Provision, accessing specialist support, and talking about mental health.

Module 8: Sensory and Physical Needs

The prevalence of sensory and physical needs, the impact on learning, the seven sensory systems, hearing impairments, visual impairments, and multi-sensory impairments, sensory processing difficulties, motor coordination difficulties, assessing children's sensory and physical needs, and planning support.

Module 9: Consolidation and Resources

Applying the Graduated Approach, course downloads, further reading, Hub articles, and course summary.

The online assessment is taken on completion of the training material. You will be asked 30 multiple choice questions with a pass mark of 80%. The answers are marked automatically so you will instantly know whether you have passed. If you don't pass, don't worry! You can take the test as many times as you need with no extra charge.


This course is suitable for teachers, teaching assistants, SENCos, assistant SENCos, and other education professionals (e.g. mentors, support/pastoral workers, and tutors) working in education settings. It is also suitable for school governors and members of the senior leadership team who would like to gain a greater understanding of SEND in the classroom.

Written by experts

Profile photo of Anita Devi, Education Consultant

In partnership with

Anita Devi

Education Consultant

Dr Anita Devi is a highly regarded leader of SEND and is a published author, speaker, and researcher. She has a PhD in Education and Social Justice, a Masters degree in Inclusive Education and a degree in Psychology, amongst other practitioner qualifications. 

Anita published a SEND Guidebook for those new to teaching amongst other research and publications, as well as winning the Influential Education Leaders Award (2017) and National MAT Award (2023).   

Anita has worked internationally with those in early years, primary, secondary, further, and higher education, and is dedicated to making real improvements for those with SEND and has many years of experience supporting school leaders, local authorities, and wider practitioners, as well as parents. 

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