[senco-forum] SENCO by any other name

Hi Mike and everyone

I changed my title to Learning Support Coordinator. (still get referred to 
as SENCo by staff though!!!)

Lorraine
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Amanda" <amandavh at btinternet.com>
To: "Mike Boyd" <mike at green43.demon.co.uk>; <senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk>
Sent: Sunday, July 01, 2007 11:28 AM
Subject: Re: [senco-forum] SENCO by any other name

> Hi Mike and everyone
>  I agree about the title.  I've thought about changing the title of SENCO 
> but I decided against it purely because the government legislation says 
> there has to be one.
>  Amanda
>  Secondary SENCO
>  Cornwall
>
>
> Mike Boyd <mike at green43.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>  On 30/06/07 13:46, "Chris Gravell"
> wrote:
>> I agree with all the principled objections to the SEN label, but all 
>> these
>> different labels can make things difficult or more obscure and confusing
>> for those outside the school when approaching it for the first time
>> (including parents feeling anxious about talking to teachers anyway).
>
>> They may well have got as far as reading quick guides to SEN from the 
>> govt
>> or advice orgs which say that every school should have a SENCo, and 
>> that's
>> the person to talk to about your child.
>
>> What do others think?
>
> Amongst the suggested or actual titles mentioned in this thread are:
> Learning Support;
> Inclusion Managers;
> Learning Access Director;
> Learning Support Manager;
> Access and Inclusion Manager;
> Director of Curriculum Support;
> Learning Differences and Disabilities Co-ordinator;
> Additional Needs Coordinator (Which may be a SENCO in Scotland).
>
> Imagine I am an anxious parent of a child having difficulties. I had read 
> a
> DfES or other parent guide describing the role of the SENCO. I call at the
> school office, nervously reveal a little of my worry and ask if I could 
> have
> an appointment with the SENCO please.
>
> Am I to be met by a baffled silence or
> "Oh, do you mean the Access and Inclusion Manager? Hold on. I'll ask. 
> Jean!
> Does Peter do special needs or is he behaviour? Oh, he's low incidence now
> is he? OK. So it's Glenys then, is it?"
>
> I exaggerate a little for effect, but the euphemisms do seem to be moving
> between us with ease where (to my mind) they may better enable
> misunderstanding, miscommunication and segregation.
>
> Whither inclusion eh?
>
> Regards, Mike
> -- 
> Mike Boyd
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Amanda
> Secondary SENCO
> Cornwall
>
> 