Senco (pref teaching some English or PE)

Oakbank aims to be an outstanding and happy school where all students are empowered, through knowledge and self-confidence, to take responsibility for themselves and their community. Oakbank is a school created by the community, for the community. 

Oakbank is looking to recruit a talented and inspirational Senco who has the drive and passion to embrace this vision and ethos and who is committed to the highest achievement for all. 

The following job description is not exhaustive and it is expected that the teacher appointed will work closely with Principal and Vice Principal to develop their role, to ensure it reflects the needs and demands of the post as the school continues to grow. 

Main purpose 

The SENCO, under the direction of the headteacher, will:

• Determine the strategic development of special educational needs (SEND) policy and provision in the school

• Be responsible for day-to-day operation of the SEND policy and co-ordination of specific provision to support individual pupils with SEND or a disability

• Provide professional guidance to colleagues, working closely with staff, parents and other agencies 

The SENCO will also be expected to fulfil the professional responsibilities of a teacher, as set out in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document.

Duties and responsibilities 

Strategic development of SEND policy and provision

• Have a strategic overview of provision for pupils with SEND or a disability across the school, monitoring and reviewing the quality of provision

• Contribute to school self-evaluation, particularly with respect to provision for pupils with SEND or a disability

• Ensure the SEND policy is put into practice, and that the objectives of this policy are reflected in the school improvement plan

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of national and local initiatives which may affect the school’s policy and practice

• Evaluate whether funding is being used effectively, and propose changes to make use of funding more effective

Operation of the SEND policy and co-ordination of provision

• Maintain an accurate SEND register and provision map

• Provide guidance to colleagues on teaching pupils with SEND or a disability, and advise on the graduated approach to SEND support

• Advise on the use of the school’s budget and other resources to meet pupils’ needs effectively, including staff deployment

• Be aware of the provision in the local offer

• Work with early years providers, other schools, educational psychologists, health and social care professionals, and other external agencies

• Be a key point of contact for external agencies, especially the local authority

• Analyse assessment data for pupils with SEND or a disability

• Implement and lead intervention groups for pupils with SEND, and evaluate their effectiveness

Support for pupils with SEND or a disability

• Identify a pupil’s SEND

• Co-ordinate provision that meets the pupil’s needs, and monitor its effectiveness

• Secure relevant services for the pupil

• Ensure records are maintained and kept up to date

• Review the education, health and care plan with parents or carers and the pupil

• Communicate regularly with parents or carers

• Ensure that if the pupil transfers to another school, all relevant information is conveyed to it, and support a smooth transition for the pupil

• Promote the pupil’s inclusion in the school community and access to the curriculum, facilities and extra-curricular activities

• Work with the designated teacher for looked-after children, where a looked-after pupil has SEND or a disability

Leadership and management

• Work with the headteacher and governors to ensure the school meets its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 in terms of reasonable adjustments and access arrangements

• Prepare and review information the governing board is required to publish

• Contribute to the school improvement plan and whole-school policy

• Identify training needs for staff and how to meet these needs

• Lead INSET for staff

• Share procedural information, such as the school’s SEND policy

• Promote an ethos and culture that supports the school’s SEND policy and promotes good outcomes for pupils with SEN or a disability

• Lead and manage teaching assistants working with pupils with SEND or a disability

• Lead staff appraisals and produce appraisal reports

• Review staff performance on an ongoing basis

The SENCO will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people, and follow school policies and the staff code of conduct.

Please note that this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the SENCO will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the head teacher.

We reserve the right to close this position early if a suitable candidate is found.

For further information and an application pack, please visit our website www.oakbank.education or email recruitment@oakbank.education or telephone 0118 988 3616.  

Anthem Trust/Oakbank is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.