Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator (SENCo)

Hermitage Primary School; Holmes Chapel; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Hermitage Primary School invites applications for a proactive SENCo to lead SEND and inclusion as part of the Senior Leadership Team. You will drive high-quality teaching, effective provision and strong partnerships with families and external professionals.

The role requires strategic leadership, statutory knowledge, and a commitment to safeguarding and inclusion, including responsibilities for Looked-after children, with NPQ/SENCO qualifications as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Must be a qualified teacher with substantial SEND and inclusive education experience.
• NPQ for SENCOs is mandatory for new appointments from 1 Sept 2024.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the school's provision for pupils with SEND in line with the SEND Code of Practice and Regulations 2014.
• Provide strategic leadership, advice, support and professional development for colleagues.
• Oversee identification, assessment, planning, delivery and review of SEND provision and statutory documentation.
• Monitor progress and outcomes of pupils with SEND and use evidence to improve provision.
• Work with pupils, parents, carers, governors, Local Authority and other agencies.
• Support admissions and transitions for pupils with SEND, including those in the Specialist Inclusion Base.
• Lead and support a dedicated staff team and contribute to the Senior Leadership Team.
• Ensure safeguarding and welfare of children is central to leadership and practice.

Skills

SEND leadership

Strategic planning

Coaching & training

Communication with parents

Organisational skills

Autism knowledge

National Curriculum knowledge

Education

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

NPQ for SENCOs

Job description

Inclusion is at the heart of Hermitage Primary School. We are seeking an exceptional, knowledgeable and compassionate SENCo to join our Senior Leadership Team and provide strategic leadership for SEND and inclusion across our school. The successful candidate will play a significant role in the admission, inclusion and transition of pupils with SEND, including pupils within our Specialist Inclusion Base. Working closely with the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, staff, families and external professionals, the SENCo will champion high expectations, high-quality teaching and effective provision so that every child can participate, achieve and thrive. The role

The role

• lead and co-ordinate the school's provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, in line with the SEND Code of Practice and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014;
• provide strategic leadership, advice, support and professional development for colleagues, promoting inclusive, high-quality teaching and effective reasonable adjustments;
• oversee the identification, assessment, planning, delivery and review of SEND provision, including statutory documentation, applications, records and targeted interventions;
• monitor and evaluate the progress, attainment, participation and wider outcomes of pupils with SEND, using evidence to strengthen provision and practice;
• work in partnership with pupils, parents and carers, governors, the Local Authority, health professionals and other agencies;
• support effective admissions and transitions for pupils with SEND, including those within the Specialist Inclusion Base;
• lead and support a dedicated team of staff and contribute fully to the work of the Senior Leadership Team;
• undertake the responsibilities of Designated Teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children (LAC/PLAC), with appropriate training and support; and
• make safeguarding and the welfare of children a central consideration in leadership, decision-making and day-to-day practice.
• is a qualified teacher and an excellent practitioner and leader, with substantial knowledge and experience of SEND and inclusive education;
• has a strong understanding of the needs of autistic pupils and other pupils with additional needs, and can translate this into effective classroom practice and provision;
• has excellent organisational skills and a high level of accuracy when completing statutory documentation, applications and school records;
• can provide expert guidance, coaching and training to colleagues and promote consistently high expectations for pupils with SEND;
• can build productive relationships with families and work effectively with the Local Authority, health services and other professionals and settings;
• has strong knowledge of the National Curriculum, adaptive teaching and evidence-informed pedagogy;
• is ambitious for vulnerable pupils and committed to improving their achievement, participation, wellbeing and enrichment;
• has experience of tracking, monitoring and evaluating outcomes for pupils with SEND;
• communicates sensitively and effectively with pupils, parents and carers, colleagues, governors and the wider school community; and
• is committed to ongoing professional development and reflective practice.

We are looking for someone who

• is a qualified teacher and an excellent practitioner and leader, with substantial knowledge and experience of SEND and inclusive education;
• has a strong understanding of the needs of autistic pupils and other pupils with additional needs, and can translate this into effective classroom practice and provision;
• has excellent organisational skills and a high level of accuracy when completing statutory documentation, applications and school records;
• can provide expert guidance, coaching and training to colleagues and promote consistently high expectations for pupils with SEND;
• can build productive relationships with families and work effectively with the Local Authority, health services and other professionals and settings;
• has strong knowledge of the National Curriculum, adaptive teaching and evidence-informed pedagogy;
• is ambitious for vulnerable pupils and committed to improving their achievement, participation, wellbeing and enrichment;
• has experience of tracking, monitoring and evaluating outcomes for pupils with SEND;
• communicates sensitively and effectively with pupils, parents and carers, colleagues, governors and the wider school community; and
• is committed to ongoing professional development and reflective practice.

SENCo qualification Applicants must meet the statutory requirements for appointment as a SENCo. The National Professional Qualification for SENCOs (NPQ for SENCOs) is the mandatory SENCo qualification for new SENCo appointments from 1 September 2024, subject to the applicable transitional arrangements. Where the successful candidate does not already hold an accepted mandatory SENCo qualification, they must complete the NPQ for SENCOs within the statutory timescale.,

• Enthusiastic, happy children who enjoy learning
• A caring, committed and friendly staff team
• A positive and inclusive school ethos
• A supportive environment in which to develop and thrive professionally