Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinator (SENDCo)

Do you have what it takes to nurture today’s young people and inspire tomorrow’s leaders? Do you have the drive, passion and commitment to lead and deliver outstanding learning and teaching to young people in a disadvantaged community? If so, becoming a Star leader might just be the best career move you ever make.

About The Olive School, Birmingham

The Olive School, Birmingham is a Muslim faith-based, primary school for 4 to 11 year olds, which welcomes pupils from all faiths and none. We opened in Sparkhill in 2016 and, like all Star schools, we have a leadership specialism. We were graded as 'Outstanding' in all areas by Ofsted during our first inspection in June 2019.

We have an exemplary reputation for excellence in every aspect of school life. We provide a knowledge-based academic curriculum alongside a rich and diverse leadership programme that grows character and inspires charitable and social action. Our pursuit of educational excellence is based upon our fundamental belief that every pupil has the capacity to become a successful and inspirational leader. 

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for a Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinator (SENDCo) with a proven track record of success in improving standards and raising pupil outcomes.  We want to hear from talented middle leaders looking to extend their experience, and outstanding, ambitious teachers seeking their first middle leadership post.

As an experienced teacher, you will develop an exciting curriculum that suits every type of learner and have the resolve to make a real difference to the lives of our young people. The successful candidate will be a committed team player with excellent organisational and motivational skills. 

You will be able to demonstrate the ability to lead a successful faculty drawing on your extensive teaching and leadership experience. As a Star middle leader, you’ll join the Star Academies family, a high-performing and supportive network of primary and secondary schools with some of the best leaders in education. 

You will have:

•A degree-level qualification and Qualified Teacher Status

•Track record of delivering ‘outstanding’ teaching.

•Experience of successfully working with challenging pupils 

•Understanding of strategies for meeting the needs of pupils with SEND

•A good, up to date working knowledge of the SENDcode of practice and its practical application 

About Star Academies

Star Academies is a high-performing multi-academy trust that runs more than 25 primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person’s future - our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed.

Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our learning and development centre, Star Institute. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level. 

We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements and healthcare cash plans.

Find out more 

Please download the job description and person specification below for further information about the role.  For an informal and confidential discussion about the role please call us on 0121 657 7100.

Due to the current situation with coronavirus in the UK, we are continuing to advertise vacancies and would encourage all interested, suitably qualified candidates to apply and we will ensure that no successful applicant incurs a financial detriment as a result of moving to Star.

We will shortlist as soon as possible after the closing date and will be in contact with shortlisted candidates to make arrangements for assessment. We will determine on a job by job basis the most suitable method for assessment in light of the current situation.

Key Dates

Closing Date: Sunday 31 May 2020 at midnight

Interview Date: TBC

Proposed Start Date: September 2020

Our Commitment

Star Academies is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of pupils. Our comprehensive recruitment and selection processes aim to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Successful candidates are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks.

We are equally committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity. We aim for our workforce to be representative of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to providing equality and fairness in our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.