SENCO at Houstone School

Houstone School; Dunstable; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Houstone School is seeking an exceptional SENCO to join the leadership team and drive the next stage of SEND provision. The role focuses on building systems, developing staff expertise, and ensuring every pupil can thrive within an inclusive culture.

You will work with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team, shaping strategies, monitoring progress, and delivering high-quality professional development for colleagues. Start date January 2027 or asap.

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and NASENCO or NPQ for SEN Coordinators are required.
• Experience leading SEND provision with strategic leadership and staff development.
• Commitment to inclusive education and high aspirations for all pupils.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development of SEND provision across the school.
• Ensure statutory requirements and the SEND Code of Practice are implemented effectively.
• Develop robust systems for identifying, assessing, tracking and supporting pupils with SEND.
• Maintain accurate and compliant SEND records and documentation.
• Work closely with teachers to secure high-quality adaptive teaching and Quality First Teaching.
• Lead, coach and develop support staff to maximise their impact on pupil outcomes.
• Build strong partnerships with parents, external agencies and local authority services.
• Monitor the progress and attainment of pupils with SEND and evaluate the impact of provision.
• Contribute to whole-school improvement as a key leader within the school.
• Deliver high-quality professional development to colleagues.
• Promote a culture where all staff take collective responsibility for the success of pupils with additional needs.

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) & NASENCO or NPQ for Special Educational Needs Coordinators

Job description

About this Role

SENCO

We are seeking an exceptional SENCO to joinour leadership team and lead the next stage of development of SEND provision atHoustone School.

This is a rare opportunity for an ambitious and highly organisedleader to shape and develop an outstanding SEND department within a school thathas uncompromisingly high expectations for every child. We are looking for aSENCO who shares our belief that all pupils, regardless of need or startingpoint, deserve access to an exceptional education and who is excited by theopportunity to build systems, develop staff expertise and ensure that everypupil can thrive. This role combines strategic leadership with the opportunityto create lasting impact for pupils, families and staff.

At Houstone School, we are building a culture defined byexcellence, warmth and consistency. We believe that great schools are built onclear routines, strong relationships and relentless attention to detail. OurSEND provision is central to this vision, and the successful candidate willplay a vital role in ensuring that true inclusion is not an add-on, but afundamental part of our school culture.

You will work closely with the Principal andSenior Leadership Team, receiving significant support whilst also havingautonomy to lead, innovate and drive improvement. This is a role for someonewho enjoys creating systems, improving practice and building capacity inothers. Whether you are an experienced SENCO looking for a new challenge or anambitious leader with a strong SEND background, you will find a team that issupportive, highly aspirational and committed to your success.

Key Duties

• Lead thestrategic development of SEND provision across the school.
• Ensure thatstatutory requirements and the SEND Code of Practice are implementedeffectively.
• Developrobust systems for identifying, assessing, tracking and supporting pupils withSEND.
• Maintainaccurate and compliant SEND records and documentation.
• Workclosely with teachers to secure high-quality adaptive teaching and QualityFirst Teaching.
• Lead, coachand develop support staff to maximise their impact on pupil outcomes.
• Buildstrong partnerships with parents, external agencies and local authorityservices.
• Monitor theprogress and attainment of pupils with SEND and evaluate the impact ofprovision.
• Contributeto whole-school improvement as a key leader within the school.
• Deliverhigh-quality professional development to colleagues.
• Promote aculture where all staff take collective responsibility for the success ofpupils with additional needs.

The successful candidate will

• Have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) & (NASENCO) or NationalProfessional Qualification (NPQ) for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators.
• Bepassionate about inclusion and ambitious for every pupil.
• Haveexceptionally high expectations of pupil achievement and behaviour.
• Be highlyorganised, meticulous and able to establish effective systems and processes.
• Have thevision and drive to build an outstanding SEND department.
• Be a strongcommunicator who can work effectively with pupils, staff, parents and externalagencies.
• Demonstrateresilience, professionalism and sound judgement.
• Becommitted to continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Share theschool's belief that excellent teaching is the most powerful tool for improvingoutcomes for young people.

Why Join Houstone School?

• Theopportunity to build and shape an excellent SEND department.
• Directsupport, coaching, and investment from the Principal and Senior Leadership Teamas well as Trust Leaders.
• A cultureof exceptionally high expectations for behaviour, attendance, achievement andinclusion.
• A highlyorganised school where strong systems and routines enable staff and pupils toflourish.
• Acommitment to evidence-informed practice and high-quality professionaldevelopment.
• Theopportunity to make a transformational difference to the lives of children andfamilies.
• The chanceto contribute to a growing school with a clear vision and ambitious future.

JOB SPECIFICS

Start date: January 2027 or asap

Salary: AS Leadership 1-6

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

The Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint a suitablecandidate before the deadline date.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding and welfare of children is paramountand all our staff share this view. Applicants must be willing to undergosafeguarding and child protection checks including with past employers and theDisclosure and Barring Service.