Senco

Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCO)   

Safeguarding   

Moor Park is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS and other appropriate checks.   Moor Park School is an equal opportunities employer.  

Background  

Moor Park is an IAPS, co-educational, boarding and day school of Catholic foundation accepting pupils from 3 months to 13 years of age. Children from 3 months to rising three are catered for in our Tick Tock nursery/child care setting which runs for 50 weeks in the year. Thereafter, children enter Pre-prep until the end of Year 3. The Prep School completes a Moor Park education before the children leave to the full range of senior schools both locally and nationally. Being a boarding school for the 8- to 13-year-olds, the school operates on a 24/7 basis during term-time.  

The school is built around a magnificent 18th century country house in approximately 85 acres of stunning grounds which include playing fields, woodland and a lake. It is situated just outside the market town of Ludlow in the beautiful Shropshire countryside.  

Moor Park is renowned for its happiness, atmosphere and pastoral care. Relations between pupils and staff are relatively informal, but mutually respectful; children are encouraged to voice their views and opinions. Recent years have seen more than average numbers of leavers gaining scholarships to a variety of senior schools. The diversity of awards gained, which include academic, music, sport, art and all-round, testifies to the breadth of education on offer. Emphasis is on the individual, finding and encouraging aptitude and talent.  

Purpose 

To lead the Learning Support Department to meet the diverse needs of pupils by profiling, tracking, and monitoring those requiring support. Identifying and supporting pupils promptly to enable progress, working with staff to provide effective, adaptive teaching. Building strong relationships with parents through clear communication and collaboration. Liaising with external agencies such as Occupational Therapists, Educational Psychologists and Local Authorities to ensure cohesive support. Keeping staff informed on SEND strategies and implementing a school-wide SEND strategy in line with the SEND Code of Practice. 

Relationships  

Responsible to the Head and Deputy Head, working alongside SLT and advisor to Teaching Staff, Learning Support Staff and all tasks that fall within the SENDCo remit. Interacting on a professional level with colleagues and seeking to establish and maintain productive relationships in order to promote mutual understanding of the SEND provision within the school. Liaising with parents (ensuring strong communication and partnership) and outside agencies (eg OTs, EPs, Local Authorities and specialists). 

Responsibilities 

Leadership and Management 

• Ensuring the inclusion of SEND priorities in the school’s strategic vision 
• Ensuring all SEND-related policies are current, reviewed annually and updated as required 
• Leading and overseeing the Learning Support Department, including staff management 
• Ensuring that support is effectively timetabled throughout the school 
• Planning, managing, and monitoring departmental resources and budgets 
• Conducting regular audits of pupil needs and progress against targets 
• Remaining abreast of SEND developments in education and sharing insights with staff 
• Representing the SEND department at academic meetings 
• Assisting Heads of Department in managing and appraising teaching staff  
• Delivering SEND training at INSETs 
• Monitoring and evaluating progress towards school targets and driving continuous school improvement through leading, managing, developing, and maintaining a high-quality inclusion provision which enables quality teaching, excellent learning outcomes and success for all pupils, including those identified as SEND 

Pupil Support and Intervention 

• Overseeing the referral process for pupils 
• Conducting classroom observations and providing staff with recommendations 
• Developing and implementing SMART targets for pupils requiring additional support 
• Engaging pupils using diverse teaching strategies to meet individual needs 
• Maintaining the school’s SEND register and detailed records of pupils’ assessments, support plans, and progress 
• Working closely with the Pre-prep/Early Years SENDCo to review progress and co-ordinating support for EYFS SEND pupils 
• Working closely with teachers to monitor and evaluate quality of teaching and learning for SEND pupils  
• Working alongside the Learning Support Teachers, teaching one-to-one and in small groups 

Communication and Collaboration 

• Acting as primary liaison between parents, staff and external agencies, ensuring effective partnership 
• Liaising effectively with outside agencies and external providers to ensure that provision supports meeting the needs of all pupils 
• Liaising with Senior Schools regarding pupils transfers and completing of references for SEND pupils 
• Building positive and proactive partnerships with parents, communicating regularly and effectively, advising on next steps (eg assessments, recommendations, specialist referrals) 
• Keeping Governors informed of SEND provision and developments 
• Collaborating with SLT members to ensure SEND strategy aligns with overall school aims 
• Managing exam access arrangements, ensuring appropriate accommodation for pupils sitting assessments 
• Supporting teachers to ensure that SEND processes are followed accurately and completed on time 
• Preparing written reports, including documentation for Parents’ Meetings and school records 

Person Specification  

• Proven experience in a SEND leadership role 
• NASENCO qualified 
• Proven track record in management and maintenance of EHCP and other statutory Local Authority and national level documentation 
• Sound working knowledge of SEND policy, statutory process according to the SEND Code of Practice 
• Ability to strategise, plan and deliver INSET training to develop staff knowledge and broaden their understanding of SEND needs in school 
• Second to none communication skills to build partnerships with parents, external agencies, teaching staff and pupils 
• Diplomacy, tact and adaptability 

This role is likely to be a part time role to start with (hours to be agreed with the right candidate) and is term time only. The start date is 1st September 2025 or 1st January 2026.  Salary up to £41,000 FTE.