The NAEO is proposing the launch of two SENCo National Conferences for the 2025/2026 academic year, in London (Wembley Stadium, 27 or 30 January) and Manchester (Old Trafford cricket club, 2 February).
The purpose of these conferences is to support SENCos in performing their role and to help them to meet the JCQ regulations as stated in the Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments document which require the head of centre to ensure that:
‘…the SENCo and the centre’s appointed assessor [must] undertake regular CPD such as attending an annual update course on these regulations’
By staging these conferences, the NAEO will also be helping to define the roles and responsibilities of SENCos and exams officers in relation to the management, administration, conducting and facilitation of access arrangements.
The content of the conferences is still to be finalised, but will include areas such as:
- JCQ Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments regulation changes for 2025/26
- JCQ Access Arrangements inspections
- Dealing with parental requests/pressure for access arrangements...in particular, extra time, alternative rooming and/or separate invigilation
- Effectively managing centre delegated access arrangements...in particular supervised rest breaks and the use of word processors in the examination room
- What is 'normal way of working'?
- The SENCo role in recording evidence (e.g. Forms 8 and 9, and scribe/practical assistant cover sheets)
- Training your facilitators - what needs to be covered
In the coming weeks, we will be approaching our members to highlight these conferences to their SENCo (or equivalent role) and to acquire details of any specific areas on which they require additional information or clarity.
As part of the booking process, we will be asking delegates to submit a question – if they have one – which will be considered for inclusion as part of our panel discussion at the end of the day.
Invitations have been sent to all the key stakeholders to enquire about their availability to attend and support the conferences as an exhibitor or to deliver a presentation. These stakeholders include the DfE, Ofqual, JCQ, JCQ Centre Inspection Service, and the major JCQ awarding bodies.
The cost of the conference will be in the region of £275-£295 and will include refreshments, lunch, etc.
So, please inform your SENCo as they may wish to attend this conference as part of their CPD for the 2025/2026 academic year, and that bookings will be taken through the NAEO website from late September.