Sendco

Bolton St Catherine's Academy; Bolton; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CPD access

25 days annual leave

Healthcare cash plan

Employee assistance programme

Lunch allowance

Job summary

Bolton St Catherine's Academy is seeking an experienced SENDCo to provide strategic leadership for SEND across the secondary phase. The role includes developing policy, coordinating provision, and supporting staff and pupils with SEN or a disability.

You will manage a team of Teaching Assistants, liaise with parents and external agencies, and ensure high-quality teaching standards underpin SEND delivery. Robust safeguarding and leadership experience required.

Qualifications

• Experience leading SEND provision at secondary level.
• Proven ability to develop and implement SEND policy.
• Strong stakeholder engagement with pupils, parents and external agencies.
• Ability to line-manage teaching assistants and support staff.

Responsibilities

• Determine the strategic development of the SEND policy and provision in the school.
• Provide strategic leadership for SEND across the secondary phase to ensure progress.
• Manage day-time operation of the SEND policy and co-ordination of provision.
• Line manage the secondary SEND team of Teaching Assistants.
• Provide professional guidance to staff, working with parents and external agencies.
• Lead and deploy staff and resources including SEND team and TAs.
• Build positive relationships with parents and external organisations.
• Fulfil the professional responsibilities of a teacher as per national guidelines.

Skills

SEND leadership

Staff development

Behaviour management

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

QTS (Qualified Teacher Status)

Degree in relevant subject or education leadership

Job description

SENDCO LEADERSHIP L6 - L10 (£58,569 - £64,690) 1.0 FTE PERMANENT CONTRACT

We are a 3-16 all age fully inclusive Academy. Our school has been on a fantastic journey over the last 18 months, and we are incredibly proud of our amazing staff and pupils. Our recent Ofsted and SIAMS inspections highlighted the fantastic progress we have made as an academy, and we are looking for someone to join us as we take our next steps. We offer state-of-the-art facilities in an amazing £36 million building providing staff with the opportunity to teach in a cutting-edge and vibrant environment, with the best team you could hope for.

WE ARE SEEKING A PASSIONATE CANDIDATE WHO:

• Is a highly effective practitioner, having a clear understanding of the characteristics of high-quality teaching and able to teach across the whole ability range.
• Will quickly build rapport and effective professional relationships with both pupils and colleagues.
• Will motivate children to work hard and try their best through passing on to them their infectious enthusiasm and passion for learning!
• Will actively share good practice and seek to explore ways to improve their own and others' teaching.
• Will work hard to ensure all pupils make at least expected progress irrespective of their starting point and individual needs.
• Will understand that behaviour management starts with the quality of teaching in the classroom.
• Will demonstrate personal resilience and role model those personal qualities we wish to instil in our young people.

YOUR MAIN DUTIES WOULD BE:

• Determine the strategic development of the special educational needs (SEND) policy and provision in the school;
• To provide strategic leadership for SEND across the secondary phase of the school in order to ensure that these students make excellent progress
• Be responsible for day-time operation of the SEND policy and co-ordination of specific provision to support individual pupils with SEN or a disability, ensuring that staff are provided with relevant information and training relating to the support of these students;
• To work strategically with and line manage the secondary SEND team of Teaching Assistants.
• Provide professional guidance to colleagues, working closely with staff, parents and other agencies;
• To lead, manage and effectively deploy staff and resources including the HIVE Lead and our team of Teaching Assistants;
• To build and maintain positive relationships with parents of students with SEN and with relevant external organisations;
• The SENDCo will also be expected to fulfil the professional responsibilities of a teacher, as set out in the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document.

IN RETURN, WE OFFER:

• Continuous Professional Development (CPD): Access to National College training, subject-specific CPD, leadership pathways, and mentoring programmes.
• Career Progression: Clear pathways for growth, from early careers to leadership roles. We use a 'touchbase' informal approach to focus on professional development as well as an annual career conversation with your manager.
• Wellbeing & Support: Leadership training focused on wellbeing, mental health resources, and staff networks.
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI): Commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace, with ongoing EDI training and initiatives.
• Automatic pay progression for teachers - we don't have performance related appraisals and pay reviews.
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 25 days for all year-round support staff. This increases to 28 days after 5 years.
• A paid premium to a Healthcare Cash Plan to claim back contributions towards dental, optical and other medical costs via UK Healthcare.
• 24/7 access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Benefits and discounts via UK Healthcare.
• Fantastic facilities.
• A lunch allowance for those colleagues volunteering to assist in lunchtime duties or activities.

The Bishop Fraser Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are an equal opportunities employer.

References will be sought prior to interview.

CLOSING DATE: Tuesday 6th October 2026 @ 9.00am

INTERVIEWS: TBC

Candidate traits and responsibilities (repeated):

• Is a highly effective practitioner, having a clear understanding of the characteristics of high-quality teaching and able to teach across the whole ability range.
• Will quickly build rapport and effective professional relationships with both pupils and colleagues.
• Will motivate children to work hard and try their best through passing on to them their infectious enthusiasm and passion for learning!
• Will actively share good practice and seek to explore ways to improve their own and others' teaching.
• Will work hard to ensure all pupils make at least expected progress irrespective of their starting point and individual needs.
• Will understand that behaviour management starts with the quality of teaching in the classroom.
• Will demonstrate personal resilience and role model those personal qualities we wish to instil in our young people.
• Determine the strategic development of the special educational needs (SEND) policy and provision in the school;
• To provide strategic leadership for SEND across the secondary phase of the school in order to ensure that these students make excellent progress
• Be responsible for day-time operation of the SEND policy and co-ordination of specific provision to support individual pupils with SEN or a disability, ensuring that staff are provided with relevant information and training relating to the support of these students;
• To work strategically with and line manage the secondary SEND team of Teaching Assistants.
• Provide professional guidance to colleagues, working closely with staff, parents and other agencies;
• To lead, manage and effectively deploy staff and resources including the HIVE Lead and our team of Teaching Assistants;
• To build and maintain positive relationships with parents of students with SEN and with relevant external organisations;
• The SENDCo will also be expected to fulfil the professional responsibilities of a teacher, as set out in the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document.
• Continuous Professional Development (CPD): Access to National College training, subject-specific CPD, leadership pathways, and mentoring programmes.
• Career Progression: Clear pathways for growth, from early careers to leadership roles. We use a 'touchbase' informal approach to focus on professional development as well as an annual career conversation with your manager.
• Wellbeing & Support: Leadership training focused on wellbeing, mental health resources, and staff networks.
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI): Commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace, with ongoing EDI training and initiatives.
• Automatic pay progression for teachers - we don't have performance related appraisals and pay reviews.
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 25 days for all year-round support staff. This increases to 28 days after 5 years.
• A paid premium to a Healthcare Cash Plan to claim back contributions towards dental, optical and other medical costs via UK Healthcare.
• 24/7 access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Benefits and discounts via UK Healthcare.
• Fantastic facilities.
• A lunch allowance for those colleagues volunteering to assist in lunchtime duties or activities.