SENCO

Based at The Forest Academy -IG6 3TA

Required: Easter 2026

Closing date 5th January 2026

Salary: M1-6, UPS1-3 plus TLR 2c (Outer London)

Thank you for your interest in becoming SENCO at The Forest Academy.

We are incredibly proud of our recent achievements: The Forest Academy is a rapidly improving school and is well on its way to becoming a truly exceptional school.  We now need a SENCO who has the knowledge and skills to help us to deliver an exceptional provision for our students with SEND needs.  We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated and inspiring Teacher who is a qualified SENCO to manage and lead the SEND provision across The Forest Academy.   

The SEND Team is committed to providing high quality teaching and learning support for all students. This role will lead, develop and support effective practice for pupils with particular learning needs to ensure that their learning needs are addressed in the most effective way and they are able to make rapid progress in line with the Trust’s expectations.

The Forest Academy is a mixed academy for students aged 11-16, committed to excellence for all and to improving the life chances of every student across the ability spectrum. We have a shared-site sixth form with Beal High School, with approximately 200 students educated in the sixth form at TFA.

We provide a learning environment that challenges, supports, and inspires, where all students are entitled to a consistently high-quality experience within a harmonious community. In January 2023 Ofsted said ‘“Pupils with SEND have access to the same curriculum as their peers. Leaders ensure that pupils with SEND are quickly and accurately identified. They know the pupils well and work closely with external agencies to provide professional specialist support when required. Leaders provide training for staff to enable them to meet the needs of pupils with SEND effectively.”

The proportion of students with special educational needs at The Forest Academy is above the national average. The Beacon Communication School (BCS) is an Additionally Resourced Provision that supports students with an EHCP for Autism Spectrum Conditions and/or social communication needs. The provision is suitable for students whose needs cannot be met solely within mainstream schools but for whom a special school placement would limit their potential. The aim of the provision is to develop independence, prepare for adulthood and access enough level 2 courses at KS4 with a view to progress to level 3 courses at KS5. At present, the provision runs from year 7-11 and each year group can accommodate six students in the provision.

The successful applicant will have high expectations and will be a reflective practitioner who is always keen to develop and improve.  They will appreciate their role in helping our students to have high aspirations, and they will share our belief that our students deserve an exceptional curriculum and the very best teaching.  They will, like us, believe in our students.  

To organise an informal role discussion with senior leadership prior to applying, please contact recruitment@beaconacademytrust.co.uk

The below documents must be read prior to applying for this role and will be factored into interviews:

Keeping Children Safe in Education

BMAT – Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Further information and an application form can be found at Vacancies - Beacon Academy Trust

Please forward your electronic applications to recruitment@beaconacademytrust.co.uk

Please note we reserve the right to close or extend this position depending on application numbers, therefore we would urge candidates to submit an application as soon as possible.