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National Professional Qualification for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (NPQ SENCO)

This qualification is for teachers who want to become a SENCO, or are currently a SENCO, and need to complete the mandatory qualification. It is a legal requirement for SENCOs in maintained schools to gain this qualification within three years of starting the role.

Pass mark 50/40 120 minutes Real test fee approx £1100 (often DfE funded) Department for Education (DfE) / Various Lead Providers How many can I get wrong?
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Try 3 real National Professional Qualification for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (NPQ SENCO) questions
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Q1. According to the SEND Code of Practice, what is a primary day-to-day responsibility of the SENCO in a mainstream school?
  • A.  Personally delivering all interventions for pupils with an EHC plan.
  • B.  Overseeing the day-to-day operation of the school's SEN policy.
  • C.  Authorising all school budget expenditure on resources.
  • D.  Conducting annual performance reviews for all teaching assistants.
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B. Overseeing the day-to-day operation of the school's SEN policy.
The SEND Code of Practice (6.88) explicitly states the SENCO's role includes overseeing the day-to-day operation of the school's SEN policy.
Q2. According to the Children and Families Act 2014, what is the primary legal duty of mainstream schools towards children and young people with SEN?
  • A.  To guarantee all pupils achieve national age-related expectations.
  • B.  To use their 'best endeavours' to secure the special educational provision the pupil needs.
  • C.  To provide a one-to-one teaching assistant for any pupil with an identified need.
  • D.  To follow all parental requests for specific interventions without question.
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B. To use their 'best endeavours' to secure the special educational provision the pupil needs.
The phrase 'best endeavours' is a key legal duty from the Act, requiring schools to take all reasonable steps to meet a child's SEN.
Q3. When developing a whole-school strategy for inclusive professional development (PD), which approach is most aligned with the principles of the NPQ SENCO framework?
  • A.  Purchasing a series of expert lectures on different SEN categories.
  • B.  Creating an online library of resources for teachers to access in their own time.
  • C.  Implementing a sustained, iterative cycle of PD focused on high-quality adaptive teaching strategies.
  • D.  Mandating that all teachers complete an external, accredited SEN course.
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. Implementing a sustained, iterative cycle of PD focused on high-quality adaptive teaching strategies.
The framework promotes PD that is embedded in practice, evidence-based, and cyclical. Focusing on adaptive teaching builds capacity for all learners, which is more impactful than knowledge-based lectures or voluntary resources.
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The SENCO Role and Responsibilities · 40
Statutory Frameworks (SEND Code of Practice) · 29
Creating an Inclusive School Culture · 30
Identification of Special Educational Needs · 30
High-Quality Teaching for Pupils with SEND · 30
Leading and Managing SEND Provision · 20
Working in Partnership with Parents and Carers · 20
Behaviour and Pupil Wellbeing · 20
National Professional Qualification for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (NPQ SENCO) — common questions
Frequently asked
How many questions are in the National Professional Qualification for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (NPQ SENCO)?
The exam has 40 questions. Every Revision Robin mock uses the same 40-question format so your practice matches the real thing.
What is the pass mark for the National Professional Qualification for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (NPQ SENCO)?
You need 50 out of 40 correct to pass, which is about 125%. Our mocks mark you against this exact threshold.
How long do you get?
The test is timed at 120 minutes. Our full mock runs on the same clock so you can practise your pacing.
Are these the real exam questions?
No. Our questions are original and written to match the current syllabus, so they give realistic practice without copying the official paper. Every answer comes with a plain-English explanation. Always confirm current rules and content with Department for Education (DfE) / Various Lead Providers.
How much does the official test cost?
The official Department for Education (DfE) / Various Lead Providers fee is approx £1100 (often DfE funded). Revision Robin practice is separate and helps you pass first time so you only pay that fee once.