Deputy Senco

Reports to:   Vice Principal

Start date: 01 April 2021 

Contract:       Permanent

Salary:            AM1-AM6 + TLR2C

Hours: 08:00am-17:00pm

The Role

To lead, develop and support effective practice for pupils with particular learning needs to ensure their learning needs are addressed in the most effective way and, where appropriate, they are able to make rapid progress in line with the academy’s expectations.

The post holder will maintain a teaching timetable of approximately 10 lessons a week, modelling outstanding practice in terms of classroom teaching, preparation, marking and assessment.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Management 

• To support the development of the strategic direction of the SEN provision, including contributing to and the embedding of academy improvement plan and policies and procedures across the academy 

• To be responsible for drafting EHCP plans for students across the academy 

• To monitor the impact of teaching and learning activities on the progress made by pupils with SEN and provide termly reports and analysis 

• To liaise with other schools to ensure continuity of support and learning when transferring pupils with SEN to the academy

• To be responsible for monitoring provision for children with SEN, EHCPs, EAL and liaise with staff and appropriate outside agencies 

• To support the development of high achieving classrooms which supports and fosters the achievement of pupils with additional learning needs

• Organise grouping for interventions, inclusive of inclusion staff timetables 

• To teach intervention groups and where necessary provide cover for co-teachers  

Outcomes and Activities

• Develop strategies to ensure early identification of pupils with additional needs

• Identify and adopt effective teaching approaches for pupils with special and additional needs

• Monitor teaching and learning activities through the online learning walk platform and provision maps, to meet the needs of all pupils

• Identify the training needs of staff and organise/coordinate INSET and CPD in SEN, EAL or other

• In consultation with the Vice Principal liaise with outside agencies and hold relevant Round Tables and Reviews to ensure all needs are met

• Ensure regular and productive communication with parents and to develop strong partnerships, inclusive of support at parent meetings.

Teaching and Learning

• Influence whole school teaching and learning policy to ensure aspects of inclusive teaching

• Create a climate for learning within teams and support the notion that all teachers are also learners

• In collaboration with the SENCo and Vice Principal identify and lead intervention according to pupil needs, e.g. ASD’s, Speech and Language, Behaviour etc

• With direction from the Vice Principal and SENCo within the context of the Academy’s curriculum and schemes of work, plan and prepare effective teaching modules and lessons

• Teach engaging and effective lessons that motivate, inspire and improve pupil attainment

• Use regular assessments to set targets for students, monitor student progress and respond accordingly to the results of such monitoring

• To produce/contribute to oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to individual and groups of pupils

• Develop plans and processes for the classroom with measurable results and evaluate those results to make improvements in student achievement  

• Ensure that all students achieve at least at chronological age level or, if well below level, make significant and continuing progress towards achieving at chronological age level

• Maintain regular and productive communication with pupils, parents and carers, to report on progress, sanctions and rewards and all other communications

• Direct and supervise support staff assigned to lessons and when required participate in related recruitment and selection activities

• Oversee and monitor the quality of provision maps as well as such as pastoral support plans, student profiles and maintain detailed information for subsequent meetings with parents

• Collect and interpret specialist assessment data gathered on pupils and use to inform practice

• Support developments and initiatives to improve standards in Literacy and Numeracy as well as access to the wider curriculum

• Ensure statutory responsibilities for SEN EHCPs and their Annual Review are met

Academy Culture

• Support the Academy’s culture, values, and ethos by contributing to the development and implementation of policies practices and procedures

• Help create a strong Academy community, characterised by consistent, orderly behaviour and caring, respectful relationships

• Support and work in collaboration with colleagues and other professional in and beyond the school, covering lessons and providing other support as required

Other

• Undertake, and when required, deliver or be part of the appraisal system and relevant training and professional development

• To undertake any other responsibilities as directed by the Principal and senior team members

• Commitment to equality of opportunity and the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils

• Willingness to undertake training

This job description sets out the main duties of the post at the time of drafting. It cannot be read as an exhaustive list.

Role review

This job description sets out the main duties of the post at the time of drafting. It cannot be read as an exhaustive list. These responsibilities will be discussed annually as part of the post holder’s annual performance review and are subject to change. 

Person Specification: Deputy Senco

Qualification Criteria 

• Qualified to degree level and above 

• Qualified to teach and work in the UK

• Undertaken specific SENCo training (desirable)

Experience

• Experience of identifying, monitoring, evaluating and providing effective strategies for pupils with SEN (desired)

• Experience of raising attainment of all pupils in a challenging classroom environment

• Experience of reflecting on and improving teaching practice to increase student achievement  

• Evidence of continually improving the teaching and learning though schemes of work, assessment and extra-curricular activities etc.

Behaviours

Leadership and Management

• Effective team member and leader

• High level of self-awareness and self-management in stressful situations

• High expectations for accountability and consistency

• Acts as a role model to staff and pupils

• Vision aligned with Ark’s high aspirations, high expectations of self and others

• Genuine passion and a belief in the potential of every pupil

• Motivation to continually improve standards and achieve excellence

• Commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils.

Teaching and Learning

• Excellent SEN and classroom practitioner

• Effective and systematic behaviour management, with clear boundaries, sanctions, praise and reward

• Has excellent communication, planning and organisational skills

• Demonstrates resilience, motivation and commitment to driving up standards of achievement

• Acts as a role model to staff and pupils

Other desirable training and skills

• Training and practice in Ruth Miskin’s ‘Read, Write Inc.’

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy