Assistant Head teacher & SENDCo

Assistant Head teacher & SENDCo  

Location: Tokers Green, Reading 

Salary – £47,185 - £50,807 (L1 – L4)  

Full time permanent position, starting September 2024 

Closing Date: 5th April

Aurora Rowan School 

Part of the Aurora Group, Aurora Rowan School in Tokers Green, Reading, Berkshire is due to open in November 2024, supporting young people aged 6 -16 with a diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorder, moderate to Severe Learning needs and associated difficulties, who require an individualised, specialist approach. 

We are a passionate team that put the opportunity to provide the best possible outcomes for our children and young people in their preparation for adult life at the centre of all we do and our decision making. At Aurora Rowan School it is our aim to raise standards by promoting a school ethos which is underpinned by core values. These values support the development of the whole child as an effective and engaged learner within a calm, caring, happy and purposeful atmosphere

We are looking for team members who feel they can demonstrate our values.   

Staff at Aurora Rowan: 

• Value all the children. 
• Display great patience and listen carefully to children. 
• Focus on and emphasise the positive. 
• Face reality and help pupils to come to terms with difficult issues as they arise, such as death. 
• Only disapprove of poor behaviour, never the child. 
• Try to make time for one another. 
• Are mutually supportive. 
• Speak quietly and avoid shouting. 
• Are valued by the governors and the community. 
• Have a good sense of humour. 

In order for the school’s purpose to be effective and for the values to be meaningful to the pupils, the staff understand that the basic needs of children are: 

• To be loved. 
• To feel secure and know clearly what is expected of them. 
• To be valued. 
• To have a balance of activities – active/passive; quiet/talking; communicating/reflective; taught skills/exploratory work. 
• To have help to develop relationships. 
• To develop self-awareness and a knowledge of the world outside of themselves. 
• To have creative experiences, including external exploration and internal reflection. 
• To be fully involved in the process of education. 

Opportunity 

We are currently looking to recruit an Assistant Head teacher / SENDCo to join our expanding team and work alongside the Head teacher to aid the smooth running of the school. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join a new venture in a school that will grow with you. You will be a part of a Brand-New School set up. It is an opportunity for you to help shape the provision and develop the school to be the best that it can be. 

Job Summary 

• To work with the Head teacher as part of the senior Leadership team in all aspects of leadership and management and to take responsibility for managing and developing learning and teaching, curriculum, assessment, and enrichment throughout the designated phases of the school. 
• To take a central role in assisting the Head teacher, to develop our school in accordance with its shared values and our school development plans.  
• To develop the schools Special Education Needs (SEN) provision and oversight of the day-to-day operation of that policy with the aim of raising SEN pupil achievement. 
• To ensure each pupil’s EHCP paperwork, review, reports and actions are undertaken within statutory timescales  
• To hold the role and responsibility for the designated teacher for the school, with responsibility for helping develop strategies and protocols, and understanding the issues which can affect how both looked-after and previously looked-after children learn and achieve, including attending PEP meetings, ensuring all relevant paperwork is completed within timescales and to a high standard 

Essential Qualifications 

• QTS  
• SENDCo or willingness to achieve within 2 years. 

Desirable Qualifications 

• Accredited training in specific areas of special education, 
• Management/leadership qualification 

Essential Experience 

• Proven track record of excellent creative and structured teaching within relevant key stages and/or special needs environment.  
• Experience of working within the guidelines set out in the SEND Code of Practice. 
• Experience of holding responsibility for and turning policy into effective and successful practice. 
• Leadership of a significant area or phase or inclusion, including responsibility for raising standards across the whole school.  
• Effective team management and working collaboratively and effectively with others.  
• Communicating effectively to a wide range of different audiences though a range of different mediums. 
• Successful management of complex scenarios and conflict resolution 
• Effective relationships working successfully with a range of external agencies.  

Benefits and Additional Information

What we Offer 

Be part of our successful team and also benefit from a generous package that includes: 

• Life assurance 
• Competitive Pension 
• Perkbox - offering high street discounts 
• Employee assistance programme 
• Car lease scheme 
• Fully funded training and qualifications 
• Bike to work scheme 
• Free membership to our Health cash back plan - Claim back money on services such as dental, optical, physio and many more. 

How to apply 

Ready to make a difference? Apply online by completing our online application form. For more information on this position please contact Liz on liz.hudson@the-aurora-group.com 

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check. 

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children. 

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability and equal opportunities employer. 

Closing Date: The role will remain open until it is filled - Please apply early as we may close the role when we have a suitable level of interest. 

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.