Deputy SENDCo - required for September 2021

We are seeking an enthusiastic and well-qualified Deputy SENDCo to work closely with the SENDCo, Headteacher and Senior Leadership team in the strategic development of the School’s Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) policy and oversee the day to day operation of that policy with the aim of raising SEND pupil achievement, through co-ordinating provision for students with specific and individual needs.  

Both full and part time applicants will be considered.  

This is an ideal opportunity for someone aspiring to become a School SENDCo.

Overton Grange is a popular, non-selective school, with around 1200 students on roll, including approximately 200 in the Sixth Form.  It has enjoyed consistent academic success and was rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in 2019.  The school is fully committed to inclusion and has a Hearing Support Department.

Overton Grange School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.  Candidates will be required to undergo the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced disclosure process.

The Learning Experience of students by consideration of:

contributing to a positive ethos in which all students have access to a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum.

liaising with the SENDCo to ensure the school meets the requirement of the Code of Practice, including implementation and review of Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) policy and maintenance of the SEND register.

supporting the SENDCo in communicating the needs of SEND students to all staff and ensure that objectives to develop SEND are reflected in the School Development Plan.

working with the SENDCo to produce and deliver a strategic three year development plan which will contribute to the School Development Plan.

work alongside the SENDCo to analyse and interpret relevant school, local and national data so that the Senior Leadership Team can be advised on the level of resources required to maximise achievement for all students.

the successful inclusion and education of students who meet the definition of a student with SEND - these students may have learning difficulties and/or mobility problems and/or sensory impairment, and/or EAL and/or language/communication difficulties, and or behavioural/emotional difficulties.

the provision of support which takes into account the diverse and individual needs of students who are SEND.

the implementation of the intervention and strategies required by an EHCP as determined upon for students who have SEND.

to organise and lead Annual Reviews for students with an EHCP as delegated by the SENDCo.

the co-ordination and maintenance of an appropriate curriculum that will meet the specific needs of those with SEND.

the preparation, for those students with learning difficulties and/or mobility difficulties, of individual timetables that will allow for in-class support and department based tuition.

Liaising with parents, health professionals, external SEND professionals and agencies and other external organisations.

development and delivery of appropriate KS4 courses for students with SEND.

liaison with English department and Maths department to oversee the support groups for literacy and numeracy.

Leadership of a team by:

managing Learning Support and undertaking the Performance Management of the non-teaching staff.                   

supervising and monitoring the work of department colleagues.

monitoring students' work and progress.

arranging and participating in the staff Performance Management process, in consultation with the SENDCo.

Contributing to and leading the organisation of regular department meetings.

supporting colleagues in the maintenance of high standards of student behaviour.

efficiently carrying out administrative requirements.

establishing and maintaining professional standards within the department by:

liaising with the SENDCo to organise opportunities for colleagues, in both the department and the whole school, to share good practices and acknowledge the importance of SEND/differentiation in all subjects; observing each other teaching examine the quality of students' work in each other's lessons.

ensuring that the department keeps abreast of developments within the teaching of their subject;

Staff Development by:

Caring for the personal career and development of staff, particularly newly qualified and student teachers and teaching assistants.

encouraging in-service training, taking into consideration:

the School Development Plan

Departmental Improvement Plan and

Performance Management 

Supporting the SENDCo with the development and delivery of a comprehensive programme of SEND INSET for mainstream subject teachers and support staff.

the dissemination of good practice in the teaching and support of children with SEND throughout the staff.

Resources by:

Liaising with the SENDCo and SENDCo Assistant about identification of what is required to deliver support to SENDCo students, this will include: equipment, rooms, training, staff and strategies.

School-wide activities by:

promoting the school's ethos and equal opportunities policy.

contributing to the further development of whole school policies and practices.

representing the Department at appropriate meetings.

supporting and advising the Senior Leadership Team in policy and administration as appropriate.

liaising with other departments on cross-curricular issues.

carrying out appropriate school duties, including general lunchtime duties.

promoting and safeguarding the welfare of students for whom they have responsibility or with whom they come into contact.