SENDCo

This post offers an exciting opportunity to join an enthusiastic staff and very supportive department whose members are committed to making a real difference. The school was last fully inspected by Ofsted in May 2011 and we were awarded Outstanding.We are very proud of our achievements and for the last 4 years we have been congratulated by the Minister of State for Schools on our achievements at GCSE level placing us in the top 100 non-selective state-funded schools in England. In addition, we were in the top 100 for pupils achieving the English Baccalaureate. We have also regularly been in the top 10% nationally (out of over 2,500 schools and colleges) for our A level performance assessed by ALPS.  We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to help us to ensure that in every way Bullers Wood remains an outstanding school at our next Ofsted inspection, and that every one of our students achieves and exceeds both their targets and expectations.

Purpose of the post

To act as a SENDCO and to proactively lead and manage the SEND team to raise the achievement of SEND students. 

Responsible for the strategic development of SEND and for ensuring that every SEND students’ needs are fully met through the development of highly effective personalised strategies that fully meet statutory responsibilities. 

Be responsible for day-to-day operation of the school’s SEND policy and co-ordination of specific provision to support individual pupils with SEN or a disability.

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

To be the school’s champion for Mental Health and Communication.

The SENDCO will also be expected to fulfil the professional responsibilities of a teacher:

Main responsibilities

• To be accountable for the learning, achievement and attainment of all students with special needs and disabilities and to remove any barriers to success. 

• To ensure that there is highly effective SEND provision and intervention for every SEND student at all times.

• Ensure that all members of staff understand and fulfil their statutory responsibilities to fully meet the needs of each student identified within SEND.

• Liaise with appropriate third parties to ensure all staff are fully trained and briefed regarding SEND to continually improve provision.

• To ensure the correct identification of pupils with SEND using appropriate  specialist assessment tools

• To ensure the schools meets its legal obligations in relation to SEND including those in EHCPS and the SEN Code of Practice.

• To act as part of the school leadership group

Operational

• Attend Leadership meetings and provide regular updates on progress of SEND students

• Work with Leadership Group and governors to ensure the school meets its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 in terms of reasonable adjustments.

• Ensure strategies are being used and followed by all staff to fully meet the needs of all students with SEND.

• Ensure the school follows the Graduated Approach and the Assess-Plan-Do-Review cycle.

• Organise  the testing and  the special arrangements for students requiring access arrangements for exams, liaising with relevant staff 

• Lead on Access Arrangements within the centre to ensure that the school follows the JCQ Guidelines in relation to Access Arrangements and meets the criteria to pass JCQ inspections. 

• Work with teaching staff, support staff and exams office personnel to ensure that approved access arrangements are put in place for internal school tests, mock examinations and examinations. 

• Work with all relevant outside agencies in organising formal assessments to support the children and families

• Attend LA primary to secondary Transition events and ensure that identified students have appropriate additional activities in place to support their transition.

• Act as an authorised signatory for the finance department

• Meet with the parents/carers of students with SEND on a termly basis 

• Attend Bromley’s SENDCo and Secondary SENDCo meetings.

• Create and maintain an effective provision maps for students with SEND.

• Assure the quality of provision for SEND students by completing learning walks and work scrutiny.

• Chair regular SEND meetings with SEND departmental staff

Strategic Leadership

• Responsible for day to day operation of the SEND policy and provide leadership and direction to promote an ethos/culture that is fully coherent with the school aims.

• Prepare and review information the school is required to publish including the SEN Information Report and Literacy and Numeracy Catch-up premium

• Identify and deliver SEND training needs for staff as appropriate

• Develop close and effective working relationships with all relevant parties, including colleagues at the Local Authority and parents/carers. 

• Stay abreast of educational changes and approaches to delivering effective SEND provision

Staff Management

• Line manage the SEND department. 

• Act as an appraiser.

• Complete tenders for outside agencies