Senco

FIRSTGROUP PLC; East Staffordshire; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Flexible Benefits Platform

Discounts

Cycle to Work

Electric Car Purchase

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support

Job summary

Options Trent Acres School in rural Staffordshire is seeking a dedicated SENCO to lead and develop our SEND provision, ensuring each pupil receives the right support and opportunities to thrive. You will work with the Senior Leadership Team, teachers, pastoral and clinical teams, families and external professionals to shape high-quality SEND provision, manage EHCPs, and drive improvement across the school.

This permanent role, 40 hours per week, offers term-time flexibility and includes a strong

Qualifications

• QTS or QTLS with NASENCO within three years.
• Teaching or HLTA experience across a whole-school setting.
• Strong knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice.
• Experience using assessment data to inform planning.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building with staff, families, and external professionals.
• Strategic mindset with strong organisational skills.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for SEND across the school.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate the SEND provision.
• Coordinate EHCPs, Annual Reviews and provision mapping.
• Collaborate with teachers, pastoral and clinical teams, parents and external agencies.
• Contribute to school improvement and staff development.
• Champion inclusion and ensure access to curriculum and school life.

Skills

QTS / QTLS

Teaching / HLTA

SEND Code of Practice

Assessment data

Communication

Strategic mindset

Driving licence

Education

QTS / QTLS certificate

Job description

SENCO

Location: Stretton, Staffordshire, GB, DE13 0

Start Date: 2026-09-16

Application Deadline: 2026-12-16T19:02:10.03

We put wellbeing first by giving our teams more time to recharge.

Job Title: SENCO

Location: Trent Acres, Kings Bromley, DE13 7HR

Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8.00am - 4.00pm

Salary: Up to £42,500 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)

Contract: Permanent | Term time only

Start: December 2026

UK applicants only, no sponsorship available.

About the Role

Are you a passionate SEND professional ready to make a real difference across an entire school? We are looking for an inspiring and committed SENCO to lead and develop our SEND provision, ensuring every pupil receives the right support, opportunities, and encouragement to thrive. This is an exciting opportunity to take a strategic lead in shaping high-quality SEND provision, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, teachers, pastoral and clinical teams, families, and external professionals. You’ll play a key role in ensuring our pupils' individual needs are understood, their EHCP outcomes are achieved, and their voices are heard.

What You'll Be Doing

• Provide strategic leadership for SEND across the school while remaining closely connected to pupils, staff, and families.
• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the school's SEND provision, ensuring it meets the requirements of the SEND Code of Practice.
• Coordinate EHCP provision, Annual Reviews, and provision mapping, using data and evidence to monitor impact and improve outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, pastoral and clinical teams, parents, the local authority, and external agencies to ensure pupils receive the right support at the right time.
• Contribute to school improvement, self-evaluation, and staff development, helping to build a whole-school culture where inclusion and high expectations are at the heart of everything we do.
• Champion the inclusion of pupils with SEND, ensuring they can access the curriculum, wider school life, and opportunities to develop their confidence and independence.

What We're Looking For

• Someone who is knowledgeable, collaborative, and passionate about improving outcomes for pupils with SEND.
• QTS or QTLS and either hold the National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) or be willing to complete it within three years.
• Teaching or HLTA experience, ideally with experience working across a whole-school setting.
• Strong knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and current SEND practice.
• Experience of using assessment and other data to evaluate provision and inform planning.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work with staff, families, and a wide range of professionals.
• A strategic mindset, strong organisational skills, and the ability to influence, negotiate, and drive positive change.
• Driving licence required.

About Us

Options Trent Acres School is an independent specialist school in rural Staffordshire for pupils with autism, trauma, attachment, anxiety, and other complex needs. We provide a nurturing, safe, and structured environment where we strive to make sure pupils feel valued and experience a sense of belonging. Small groups, with high staff ratios, and child-centered programmes support social, emotional, and academic development that help our pupils grow into well-adjusted members of the wider world.

Integrated clinical care and strong family partnerships empower every pupil to build confidence, independence, and the skills to thrive in life. For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group was officially certified as a Great Place to Work for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• Your Wellbeing Matters mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including: health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough, and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.