Special Education Needs (SEN) Teacher

As a Liberty Woodland School Special Educational Needs Teacher you will be responsible for the identification, support and learning programmes for children aged 4-11 years requiring extra support within our beautiful outdoor school. 

We expect you to Inspire achievement. To support every pupil, whatever their background, to make real progress and achieve their full potential. 

We wish to appoint a SENCO who demonstrates an enthusiastic and dynamic approach to teaching exciting and creative lessons. This post offers you an excellent opportunity to join an inspiring and innovative school within a dynamic and passionate team. You will play a key role in the continued progression and development across SEN within the school. You will be expected to play a key role within our leadership team, not only in terms of taking responsibility for the SEN children within our school, but also within the strategic leadership of our school in terms of SEN provision.

You will work with our team to create an enabling and positive environment for the children to feel empowered to take responsibility of their own learning. You’ll use your existing skills, experience and passion for play-based education to support and scaffold children’s learning through play, allowing them to experiment and learn in a creative and imaginative way. 

NOTE - Start date is provisionally September/October 2020, dependant on funding being confirmed. The role is on a fixed term contract of 2 years, with possible extension of a further 12 months with further funding. 

Key Responsibilities

• Regularly review the SEN and disability policy and practice within the setting and agree how it will be implemented.

• Work with the team to ensure our whole school approach to using zones of regulation as a method of developing self-regulation.

• Be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the setting’s SEN policy, and for coordinating provision across the school.

• Implement SEN support and the graduated approach of : assess, plan, do, and review to meet the outcomes identified for individual children. 

• Teach individual and group sessions to support children with personal education plans [IEPS]. 

• Support SLA’s in intervention sessions with children.

• Support the Senior Learning Associates and Learning Associates in implementing the approach for individual children.

• Provide training opportunities for the team, including weekly briefings and INSET days.

• Meet the requirements for record keeping in a way that supports a participative decision-making process. This includes, but is not limited to, updating the schools SEN and Learning Support register; creating and reviewing IEP’s; completing documentation required by external agencies. 

• Link with the local authority to liaise over individual pupils and understand how possible funding can support the setting in meeting pupils’ SEN and disability.  

• Ensure parents are involved in the discussion of any early concerns, in identifying any SEN, and agreeing the interventions and support to put in place.

• To keep abreast of developments in SEN and inform staff as necessary.

• To attend appropriate training, CPD and conferences and provide feedback to colleagues.

• To maintain order and good discipline among pupils and safeguard their health and safety.

• To write reports on pupils’ attainment and progress twice per year.

Safeguarding

• Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the students.

• Adhere to any relevant Policies about Keeping Children Safe, ongoing safeguarding, Equal Opportunities, Data Protection and Confidentiality

• Advise Head of School of any concerns, e.g. over children, parents, the safety of the environment, preserving confidentiality as necessary.

• Read, understand and adhere to all policies and procedures relevant to your role and the safe running of the school.

• Keep completely confidential any information regarding the children, their families or other staff that is acquired as part of the job.

• Ensure good standards of safety, hygiene and cleanliness are maintained at all times.

• Observe learner behaviour and ensure the safety and good conduct of the students.

Other Professional Duties

• Remain appropriately professional at all times. 


• Promote the Liberty Woodland School and Outdoor Learning ethos and work alongside the head of school and staff team to ensure that the school’s philosophy is fulfilled.

• Help maintain equipment and resources.

• Support all staff and play a key part in keeping team morale high.

• Be aware of the high profile of the school and to uphold its standards at all times, both in work hours and outside. 

• Carry out such duties, including cover for absent colleagues, as required by the Head of School, punctually and efficiently. 

• Contribute imaginatively to the co-curricular, extra-curricular and sporting programmes of the School as required by the Head of School, and be prepared to run or assist with activities beyond lesson times and on Saturdays when required.

• Attend whole school meetings, staff meetings, parents’ evenings, open days, Inset days, training and similar important events both in and out of normal working hours.


• Take part in the school’s performance management scheme and appraisal on an annual/biannual basis. 

• Due to the outdoor element of the school there are physical demands of this role. The work is practical by definition and moderate levels of physical effort. It involves lifting and handling of training equipment, play equipment and other resources and to be involved in practical activities and physical care of learners and the environment. Activities are mainly out of doors and this will require walking and managing on uneven surfaces and in unpredictable weather conditions. You are required to be a role model for the staff and learners you work with, adhering to the Health & Safety procedures.

Qualification and Experience

• SEN experience and/or the National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination – essential

• Excellent understanding of the SEN code of practice - essential

• Paediatric First Aid - desirable

• Food Safety and Hygiene - desirable 

• Forest School Level 2/3 - desirable

• Experience of working with 4 to 11 year olds in a primary school setting - desirable

• Experience within an outdoor education environment - desirable