Assistant Principal: SEND and Inclusion

We are looking for an Assistant Principal as a senior leader, to assist the Executive Principal and the Head of Academy in the strategic and operational management, development and leadership of the Academy, and ensure the achievement of our ethos, aims and objectives within the context of the Academy's strategic and development plans.

This role will have a specific responsibility for SEND and Inclusion.

About Us

Harris Garrard Academy is an all-through 3–18 academy with approximately 1500 pupils on roll and joined the Harris Federation as a sponsored academy in September 2017. In our recent 2021 Ofsted inspection the Academy was rated GOOD in all areas on a strong and consistent trajectory of improvement. The academy is based in Thamesmead in a purpose built building. We are now on a journey towards “Outstanding”, led by highly experienced executive principals with proven track records of school transformation.

As one of Harris's successful all-through academies, staff at all levels belong to a strong, cohesive team working with Executive Principal Chris Everitt and the wider SLT team. Staff can expect to grow with us as we continue to innovate and evolve as an academy. With ample opportunity to build on CPD, your potential is limitless with us.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Your responsibilities will be:

• To ensure that Academy practice is compliant with the SEND Code of Practice (2014) and other relevant statutory requirements.
• To work with the Academy Leadership team ensuring an ethos of Inclusion within the Academy and a culture of high aspirations for students with SEND.
• To ensure that the provision of SEND support is in accordance with the aims of the Academy and the curricular policies determined by the Governing Body and Principal of the Academy.
• To be responsible for the Academy SEND Offer, ensuring high quality targeted interventions enabling students with SEND to make rapid progress.
• To be responsible for tracking the progress of students with SEND, using a wide range of Academy data relating to progress, attainment, referrals, exclusions, detentions and attendance to identify barriers to learning.
• To ensure the delivery of an appropriate, comprehensive, high quality and cost-effective SEND provision which compliments the Academy Improvement Plan and is in line with the SEND Code of Practice (2014).
• To work with the Academy Leadership Team, Directors of Learning and Innovation Leaders to ensure that Quality First Teaching Strategies are embedded in teaching and learning across the Academy; and to monitor, evaluate and review the quality of teaching and learning across the Academy, with regard to SEND students.
• To work with the Academy Leadership Team, Directors of Learning and Innovation Leaders to ensure that strategies on Student SEND Profiles are being used as part of the lesson planning process and are integral to teaching and learning across the Academy.
• To maintain the Academy's SEND Profile, ensuring that it is always up-to-date and is an accurate picture of student SEND need across the Academy.
• To be responsible for the accurate identification of SEND need across the Academy, ensuring a rigorous and thorough assessment process.
• To monitor the academic progress of students with SEND within the Academy, ensuring expected progress and the provision of targeted interventions as appropriate.
• To promote an ethos of resilience, independence and high expectations in relation to the progress, attainment attendance and behaviour of all students.
• To deploy staff and resources according to the needs of SEND students.
• To organise and co-ordinate multi-agency meetings (e.g. Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) annual reviews) and to monitor, evaluate and review agreed strategies and targets for improvement via student support plans/profiles.
• To work in partnership with staff, parents, students and partner agencies in order to ensure that relevant stakeholders are fully involved in the planning and evaluationof student progress, intervention plans and profiles.
• To be responsible for the day-to-day management, control and operation of SEND provision within the Academy, including effective deployment of staff and physical resources.
• To be responsible for ensuring that LA consultations for students with EHCPs are responded to in line with the SEND Code of Practice and within given time constraints
• To engage with the Harris Federation SEND Strand and attend meetings, training and network sessions as required
• To keep up to date with national developments in SEND including practice and methodology, and to actively monitor and respondto development and initiatives at national, regional and local
• To work with other Academy leaders to develop and implement a programme of SEND and Inclusion CPD.
• To be responsible for the day-to-day management of staff within the area and act as a positive role
• To engage with all school meetings as agreed with SLT and line manager.
• To participate in the interview process for SEND posts when required.

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• QTS (or equivalent)
• Degree or equivalent
• Postgraduate teaching qualification
• Minimum of three years' teaching experience.
• Minimum two years' experience of working with students with special educational needs.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Inclusion agenda and the SEND Code of Practice (2014)
• Knowledge and understanding of national priorities, current curriculum development and an ability to design and implement an innovate curriculum based on students' needs
• A thorough understanding of quality assurance techniques
• Evidence of leading, supporting and/or managing others to ensure rapid and sustained high quality performance.
• Experience of communicating to a wide audience including teachers, students and parents.

Rewards & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level to senior leadership.

We look for talented individuals who share our vision for creating exceptional places of learning, and are committed to ensuring that every child in London has access to the best possible education.

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.