SENDCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) - Pokesdown Community Primary School

Dorset Council; Lower Blandford St Mary; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free daily breakfast and lunch

Cycle to Work Scheme

Wellbeing package

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Pokesdown Community Primary School is seeking a SENDCo to lead inclusive practice and drive high-quality SEND provision. The role includes teaching and leadership responsibilities, working with a dedicated team, in-house SALT and OT support, and upcoming ASD Resource Bases opening in January 2027.

You will champion personalised learning, family partnerships and a welcoming culture where every child feels valued, included and encouraged to achieve their best.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates passion for inclusion and belief that every child can succeed.
• Excellent classroom practitioner with strong SEND understanding.
• High expectations and commitment to helping all children achieve their best.
• Able to lead, inspire and support colleagues to deliver inclusive teaching.
• Builds positive partnerships with children, families and the community.

Responsibilities

• Champion high-quality SEND provision and drive Inclusive Mainstream Practice.
• Lead and support staff while remaining actively involved with teaching.
• Collaborate with ASD Resource Bases to benefit every child and classroom.

Skills

Inclusion focus

Classroom teaching

Leadership

Collaboration

Community engagement

SEND legislation knowledge

Education

NASENCO qualification

NPQ for SENCOs

Job description

About the role

SENDCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator)

Pokesdown Community Primary School, Bournemouth

Full Time or Part Time (minimum 3 days per week)

Salary: MPS/UPS (dependent on experience) + SEN Allowance

Start Date: 1 January 2027

‘Today's Effort, Tomorrow's World’

Are you passionate about making a difference?

Do you believe that every child deserves to feel valued, included and successful?

Are you looking to join a nurturing, vibrant school where relationships matter, individuality is celebrated and children are at the heart of every decision we make?

At Pokesdown Community Primary School, we are proud to be innovative, aspirational and community-driven. We know children thrive when they feel safe, connected and understood, which is why personalised learning, strong family partnerships and a genuine sense of belonging sit at the centre of everything we do.

We are looking for an exceptional SENDCo to join our friendly and dedicated team and help lead the next stage of our inclusive journey. Working alongside our children, fantastic staff team, dedicated Pastoral Care Team, in-house Speech and Language Therapist and Occupational Therapist, families and external professionals, you will play a key role in ensuring every child feels valued, understood and included.

You will champion high-quality SEND provision and help drive our vision for outstanding Inclusive Mainstream Practice, enabling all children to access our ambitious integrated curriculum, develop confidence and independence, and flourish within school, their community and beyond.

This is a particularly exciting time to join us. In January 2027, we will open our new KS1 and KS2 ASD Resource Bases, providing specialist support for children with autism whilst further strengthening inclusive practice across the whole school. As SENDCo, you will work closely with these new teams, helping to ensure that expertise, understanding and high aspirations benefit every child and every classroom.

The role includes a teaching commitment and would suit someone who enjoys working directly with children whilst also leading, supporting and inspiring colleagues.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about inclusion and believes that every child can succeed and thrive.
• Is an excellent classroom practitioner with a strong understanding of SEND and Inclusive Mainstream Practice.
• Has high expectations and a commitment to helping all children achieve their very best.
• Can lead, inspire and support colleagues to deliver ambitious, adaptive and inclusive teaching.
• Builds positive partnerships with children, families and the wider community.
• Has an up-to-date knowledge of SEND legislation, the SEND Code of Practice, and current local and national processes for identifying, assessing and supporting pupils with additional needs.
• Is flexible, resilient and enjoys working collaboratively as part of a team.
• Holds a recognised SENDCo qualification (NASENCO) or is willing to complete the National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for SENCOs within the required timeframe.

At Pokesdown, we believe that every child should feel welcomed, valued and included, that differences should be celebrated as strengths, and that every learner should be given the opportunity to achieve their very best.

If this sounds like the role for you, we would love to hear from you. Visits are warmly encouraged.

Closing date for applications is: Friday 16th October 12pm

Interviews: Interviews will take place during the week of 19th October.

Applicants called for interview will be notified by Monday 19th October.

Further Information

PCPS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Rigorous checks will be made of the successful applicant’s background credentials, including enhanced DBS checks. PCPS values the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.

About Us

We can offer:

• Amazing children who are enthusiastic, caring and eager to learn.
• A welcoming, supportive and highly dedicated staff team who genuinely enjoy working together.
• The opportunity to work alongside an in-house Speech and Language Therapist and Occupational Therapist.
• An exciting opportunity to help establish our new ASD Resource Bases, share expertise across the school and shape the next stage of our inclusive journey at Pokesdown.
• High-quality professional development and leadership support.
• Free daily breakfast and lunch.
• A comprehensive staff wellbeing package, including access to external support services.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Wellbeing days.
• Opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support workload and work‑life balance.