Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)

Quest Primary School looking for an enthusiastic and committed Special Educational Needs Coordinator( SENCO) to join our team. The successful applicant will assume responsibility for the leadership of our ELP (Enhanced Learning Provision) and work as part of the Senior Leadership Team. This role is permanent and the successful candidate will ideally work full-time, but those who wish to work 4 days (0.8 FTE) will also be considered – please note the four days worked must include a Friday.

We are a welcoming and supportive school, who work as a team to deliver the best possible outcomes and experiences for our pupils, working alongside parents, carers, TCT staff and external professionals. Our Enhanced Learning Provision (ELP) is for 14 pupils with Moderate Learning Difficulties and split into 2 classes of approximately 7 children each.

What does the role involve?

The role of SENCO is varied and wide-ranging, but primarily aims to provide outstanding leadership of SEND in order to secure high quality teaching, the effective deployment of resources, successful learning and improved standards for pupils with SEND. The successful candidate will lead SEND provision across the mainstream school and the ELP (currently 38% SEND including the ELP) including working closely with other staff to secure the best possible outcomes for SEND pupils, liaising with external professionals such as EPs, OTs and Speech Therapists, working closely with parents to support referrals and reviews, and ensuring the taught curriculum is meeting the needs of children with SEND. You will also represent the school at Locality SEND Support meetings monthly.

As part of the Senior Leadership Team you will help develop and maintain the SEND strategy for the school, be responsible for the line management and performance development of staff and play a full role in the life of the wider school e.g. leading assemblies, delivering PDMs, supporting Parent’s Evenings, undertaking duties etc. You will also be a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for an empathetic individual who has a passion for working with children with special educational needs and is committed to making a difference to their everyday experiences and life chances. Our school motto is ‘learning changes lives’ and our staff must be committed and determined to support our demographic of 40% PPG and 38% SEND pupils, inspiring them to be the best they can be, whilst living our school values of excellence, responsibility and aspiration.

Your organisation and communication skills; understanding of how SEN children learn, communicate and may behave; flexibility, ability to multi-task and prioritise; and work within a small team in a busy environment are all essential. You will be working on statutory documents and an eye for detail and ability to write and communicate accurately in a professional manner, is also essential.

As a school we feel it is important to hire candidates who share our values and are keen to make a difference, which is why we look for staff to join our team who are enthusiastic, hard-working and keen to support excellent educational outcomes for all our pupils. We are keen to welcome to our team, professionals who are reflective practitioners, and proactively seek opportunities for CPD and further development.

Furthermore, the role can be is demanding due to the large proportion of SEND children in our one-form entry school, alongside the 14 children in the ELP. It would suit a skilled practitioner who has experience of working with SEND children in either a mainstream or ELP/ Special School setting and has knowledge of Croydon LA SEND processes and procedures, although this is not essential. Experience working as a Senior Leader is desirable but the post would also suit an ambitious middle leader who can demonstrate proven impact in an area of current whole-school responsibility. You will also need to either already hold, or be prepared to undertake upon commencement of the role, the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCO).

Additionally, the Job Description and Person Specification shown in the application pack will give you a good indication of who we are looking for, including the skills and experience that would make for our ideal candidate. Safeguarding is paramount to us at all stages of the recruitment process and beyond. 

Quest Primary School

Quest Primary School is a vibrant, welcoming and inclusive school within a caring and supportive school community. We have a fantastic team of staff who work together to provide the best possible teaching and wider experiences for our pupils, who themselves are happy, hard-working and aspire to learn and achieve more each day. Our staff work hard and go the extra mile to ensure that every child is supported to be the best they can be. If you are a team-player, ambitious for our pupils and for your own professional development and committed to making a difference and providing an exceptional education for all, then we would be delighted to receive your application for this post.

The Collegiate Trust

The Collegiate Trust is a family of 8 schools, primary and secondary, located in the Croydon and Crawley areas, educating children and young people from 3-19 years of age with a clear vision to deliver exceptional education for all.

The Central Team is mainly based at Riddlesdown Collegiate, a large, outstanding (OFSTED, March 2023) secondary school in Croydon with a longstanding reputation for high standards and an exceptional education.

Benefits of Working with The Collegiate Trust

We care about our staff's health and wellbeing and offer an number of benefits that can be found in more on our website at Benefits of Working with TCT | The Collegiate Trust (tct-academies.org). We continually strive to improve our employee experience, ensuring staff wellbeing is at the forefront of our decision making. We offer generous holiday and salary opportunities and are dedicated to ensuring professional development opportunities for all our staff.

How to Apply

For more information on what you will be doing, who we are looking for, the school and the Trust, please see download the Applicant Information Pack.

To apply, please use the Application Form on the TES website.