SENDCo

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Job Title:  SENCo
Location:  Avonside School, Bristol BS4 5PS 
Hours:  40 per week | Monday to Friday | 8.00am – 4.00pm
Salary:  Up to £52,000.00 per annum (dependant on experience, not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:  April 2026

UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

Join #teamOFG and enjoy a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW)!

We’re trialling a 4DWW — 80% of the hours for 100% of your pay!* At this school, it will launch once we have a full team in place, so there’s never been a better time to join and help shape the future!

About the Role

The SENCo plays a strategic and operational leadership role in ensuring that pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) receive high-quality, personalised support that enables them to thrive. Working closely with the Headteacher and therapy team, the SENCo will shape and deliver the school’s SEND strategy, ensuring statutory compliance while promoting inclusive, adaptive teaching across the school. The role requires strong collaboration with staff, families, governors and external agencies to secure the best possible outcomes for pupils and to uphold the school’s responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.

• Strategic Leadership of SEND: Lead the development, implementation and review of the SEND policy and annual improvement plan, ensuring effective provision for pupils with EHC plans and alignment with the school’s wider development priorities.

• Quality of Provision & Teaching: Advise staff on the graduated approach, differentiation and targeted interventions; monitor patterns of identification and progress data to strengthen inclusive, high-quality teaching.

• Assessment & Monitoring: Oversee baselining, screening and ongoing assessment processes; maintain accurate SEND records and detailed progress documentation to evidence impact and inform planning.

• Partnership & Communication: Act as the key point of contact for parents/carers, the local authority and external agencies; facilitate smooth transitions between settings and ensure clear, consistent communication across all stakeholders.

• Intervention & Curriculum Development: Coordinate and, where appropriate, deliver targeted intervention programmes, particularly in literacy and numeracy; contribute to the review and development of teaching and learning policies to ensure accessibility and inclusion.

• Compliance & Professional Development: Ensure the school meets statutory duties, including Equality Act responsibilities and access arrangements; identify staff training needs and contribute to whole-school CPD relating to SEND and inclusive practice.

About You

You will have:

• SENCo qualification (preferred)

• A sound understanding of the complexity of special educational needs

• A calm and positive attitude to all aspects of school life

About Us

Avonside School is a brand-new specialist school in Bristol for young people with SEMH, autism, and associated needs. We provide a supportive environment prioritising wellbeing, personal growth, and academic progress.

Our curriculum offers hands-on vocational pathways in construction, hair and beauty, hospitality, art and IT, building practical skills and independence. We empower every pupil to gain confidence, resilience, and the skills needed for further education, employment, and adult life.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance

• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions

• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks

• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:

  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits

  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts

  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme

  • Critical illness cover

  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

*Subject to successful probation. Not a contractual benefit.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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