Head of Academic Support (SENCo)

Mander Portman Woodward (MPW) is an independent education provider and one of the best known and most well-respected independent colleges in the UK. Owned by Kaplan International, MPW has built an enviable reputation for top academic results, excellent pastoral care and inspired teaching tailored to the needs of each student.

We are looking for a Head of Academic Support (SENCo) to join our friendly, thriving and successful team at MPW London at our Queens Gate Campus in South Kensington, starting in the Autumn Term - September 2024

This is a role filled with a great opportunity for progression for an experienced practitioner who thrives in sharing best practice amongst colleagues and direct reports.

To register your interest, please apply with your CV now.

About The Role

You will:

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and follow school policies and the staff code of conduct.
• Determine the strategic development of special educational needs (SEN) policy and provision in the school.
• Be responsible for day-to-day operation of the SEN policy and co-ordination of specific provision to support individual students with SEN or a disability.
• Provide professional guidance to colleagues, working closely with staff, parents and other agencies.
• Oversee the strategic development of SEN policy and provision.
• Have a strategic overview of provision for pupils with SEN or a disability across the school, monitoring and reviewing the quality of provision.
• Contribute to school self-evaluation, particularly with respect to provision for pupils with SEN or a disability.
• Make sure the SEN policy is put into practice and its objectives are reflected in the College Development Plan.
• Maintain an accurate SEND register and provision map.
• Implement and lead intervention groups for pupils with SEN, and evaluate their effectiveness.
• Identify and assess a student's SEN.
• Review the education, health and care plan (EHCP) with parents or carers and the student.
• Lead SEND INSET for staff.
• Determine and manage access arrangements working closely with the the college's Examinations Officer
• Liaise and collaborate with the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) on matters of safeguarding and welfare for pupils with SEN.
• Deliver pastoral care to a small group of students.

You will have:

• Experience of assessing, supporting and teaching young people aged 14+ with SEND, preferably within an educational context.
• Passion for sharing your knowledge with others, and the ability to devise and implement a range of teaching strategies to promote the learning of SEND students.
• An approachable, friendly, and professional communication style, both orally and in writing.
• Awareness of the likely developments affecting the delivery of academic support at Key Stage 4 and post-16 levels.
• Patience and perseverance, and a commitment to the overcoming barriers to learning.
• An inspiring, confident and positive attitude to maintaining student discipline
• A team-focused attitude, and a willingness to support others

The Perks

MPW offer:

• A competitive salary
• Small classes, which allow our teachers to focus on quality teaching
• Ongoing support from our Directors of Studies who uniquely support all students throughout the year and liaise with parents and guardians on behalf of teachers
• A supportive and informal work culture, and bespoke opportunities for training
• Guaranteed Income Protection with payment of 75% of your salary minus state benefits
• Life Assurance with payment of 4 times your salary
• Enrolment in an Aviva pension plan
• Access to Salary Extras, offering discounts on cinema tickets, days out, and purchases with household names. 

Commitment to Safeguarding

Mander Portman Woodward is committed to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of children and young people. Applicants for the role must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Further details of what this includes are found in Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy.