SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)

About Arco Academy

Arco Academy is a registered independent alternative provision school specialising in sports. Located in the heart of Camberwell, London, Arco Academy educates students referred by mainstream schools and the Local Authority. We emphasise pastoral care and take a holistic approach to education.  

We are committed to high-quality education and promoting our vision to unleash the potential we know exists in all our students by providing a creative and tailor-made curriculum. 

We work diligently to meet our students' learning needs. This includes encouraging participation in sports, developing essential life skills, and nurturing positive relationships within the school and the community. 

Staff play a vital role in the lives of our students. Therefore, we develop our staff through CPD, staff support, and well-being. 

We celebrate the diversity and individuality of all students, staff and partners and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students.

All positions are subject to an enhanced DBS check. 

For further information regarding Arco Academy policies, visit https://arco.academy/key-information/policies/#1598282602871-bf232412-6cd3 . Please read our Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Policy. 

Role Overview

The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) is also the mathematics lead at Arco Academy and is pivotal in driving the school towards achieving an 'Outstanding' judgement from Ofsted. Within this role, providing high-quality support and interventions for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is a significant responsibility. As the SENCO, you lead SEND provision, collaborating closely with staff, parents, external agencies, and other stakeholders to champion inclusive practices and ensure equitable access to education for all students.

Main Purpose

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

-Determine the strategic development of special educational needs (SEN) policy and provision in the school

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

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

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic development of SEN policy and provision

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

-Contribute to school self-evaluation, particularly concerning provision for pupils with SEN or a disability

-Make sure the SEN policy is put into practice and its objectives are reflected in the school improvement plan (SIP)

-Maintain up-to-date knowledge of national and local initiatives that may affect the school's policy and practice

-Evaluate whether funding is being used effectively and suggest changes to make use of funding more effective

Teaching, Curriculum, and Assessment

-Sustain high-quality teaching.

-Ensure teaching is supported by subject expertise and practical formative assessment.

-Implement valid and reliable approaches to assessing students' knowledge and understanding.

 Operation of the SEN policy and co-ordination of provision

-Maintain an accurate SEND register and provision map

-Guide colleagues on teaching pupils with SEN or a disability and advise on the graduated approach to SEN 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 (LA)

-Analyse assessment data for pupils with SEN or a disability

-Implement and lead intervention groups for pupils with SEN and evaluate their effectiveness

 Support for pupils with SEN or a disability

-Identify a pupil's SEN

-Co-ordinate and monitor provision that meets the pupil's needs

-Secure relevant services for the pupil

-Ensure records are maintained and kept up to date

-Review the education, health and care plan (EHCP) with parents or carers and the pupil

-Communicate regularly with parents/carers

-Ensure if the pupil transfers to another school, all relevant information is conveyed to that school and supports 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 (LAC) where a looked-after pupil has SEN 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 SIP 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 SEN policy

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

Safeguarding

-Liaise and collaborate with the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) on matters of safeguarding and welfare for pupils with SEN

-Remain alert to the fact that pupils with SEN may be more vulnerable to safeguarding challenges

Candidate Requirements

Qualifications and Relevant Experience

-Qualified Teacher Status and Degree qualification.

-National Award for SEN Co-ordination, or a willingness to complete it within three years of appointment 

-Experience in leading SEND provision in a school setting

-Experience in teaching at the secondary and GCSE level.

-Experience in conducting training/leading INSET

-Knowledge of the national curriculum and assessment requirements.

Skills and Knowledge

-Sound knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice

-Understanding of what makes 'quality first' teaching and effective intervention strategies

-Ability to plan and evaluate interventions

-Data analysis skills and the ability to use data to inform provision planning

-Effective communication and interpersonal skills

-Good record-keeping skills

Personal Profile

-Commitment to getting the best outcomes for pupils and promoting the ethos and values of the school

-Commitment to equal opportunities and securing good outcomes for pupils with SEN or a disability

-Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively

-Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times

-Commitment to safeguarding and equality

To apply, please complete the Arco employment application form and equal opportunities monitoring form. Send the completed documents to hr@arco.academy.