Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO)

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people? Do you have the skills, dedication and vision to support students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to thrive and achieve their full potential? If so, we want to hear from you.

This high-profile role is an exciting and rare opportunity for a driven individual to lead our SEND provision and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. This is a rewarding role at the heart of our inclusive school community, where every child matters.

This position will suit someone who is empathetic with outstanding people skills. You will have a can-do ethos, drive and boundless enthusiasm. You will have a positive outlook, be supportive of others and openly share best practice, modelling this constantly to staff. You will need to embrace a forward-thinking approach to raising standards in teaching for SEND and ensure we are doing the absolute best for our most vulnerable students at all times.

As our SENCO you will:

• Be responsible for determining the strategic development of the SEND policy and provision in the school.
• Contribute to strategic leadership meetings by reporting on the effectiveness of SEND provision and share information with key stakeholders.
• Work closely with teachers, parents and external agencies to create and implement effective Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• Monitor and track the progress of students with SEND, using data to drive improvements.
• Provide training and guidance to staff to ensure an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
• Work closely with early years providers, other schools, educational psychologists, health and social care professionals and other bodies with regards to SEND provision.
• Advise on the graduated approach to providing SEND support.
• Champion the needs of students with SEND, promoting a culture of inclusion and equality across the school.

We are looking for someone who:

• Holds the National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination (or is willing to work towards it).
• Has a proven track record of working with students with SEN in a secondary school setting.
• Possesses excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills.
• Is committed to raising aspirations and outcomes for students with SEND.
• Has a deep understanding of the SEND Code of Practice and relevant legislation.

Please click HERE for the full candidate brief.

Why join us?

• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• The chance to make a real impact in the lives of our students.
• A vibrant school community with a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity.
• Our vision statement 'learning together for the future' is evident throughout the school.
• We are student-centred and our aim is for every student to experience first rate learning and teaching.
• The school motto of 'Integrity, tenacity and service' is at the core of school life. 

What our staff say: 

 "During my first term at Ecclesbourne I have felt extremely welcomed by staff and students alike. The school have been beyond supportive and encourage me to be the best teacher I can possibly be. Ecclesbourne inspires pride in its students through presentation, attitude and extra-curricular events. I have never known a school take so much delight in organised student-centred activities that, ultimately, boost the students' ideologies. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first term at Ecclesbourne and I hope that it will be the first of many in an enjoyable career." 

The reward for working at Ecclesbourne is more than financial and we give back to our staff in terms of wellbeing, training and support. In addition, children of members of staff with a minimum of two years’ service at the school at the time of application are included in our admissions criteria. 

Join us and help every child achieve their full potential.

How to apply:

If you are ready to take on this rewarding role and help shape the future of our students, we would love to hear from you. Please send your completed application form and a covering letter outlining your suitability for this role by email to Tina Spencer-Keyse, Director of Human Resources:

Email: TSpencer-Keyse@ecclesbourne.derbyshire.sch.uk 

Tel: 01332 843257

School visits:

Should you wish to visit our school, we are able to offer tours each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday during term-time at 9.45am, 10.45am or 11.45am and 1.45pm or 2.45pm. Our school will be closed for the February break from Friday 17 February until Monday 24 February 2025. Please use the contact details above to arrange a visit. You will be most warmly welcomed.

Applications for this role will close at 8am on Friday 8 March 2025.

Please apply early as we reserve the right to interview ahead of the closing date should a high number of suitable applicants be received.

Who can be a SENCO?

In accordance with The Education (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators) (England) Regulations 2008, a SENCO must be a qualified teacher who works at the school and has completed their induction period.

The SENCO is required to complete the National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination (NASENCO) qualification before the three-year anniversary of them becoming their school’s SENCO. You will be fully funded by the school for this Masters level course if needed. 

Our commitment to safeguarding: Our school is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students, and we expect all our staff to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process which is in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment will be conditional on a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, references, health check and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check. 

The amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provides that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain convictions are considered “protected”. This means that they do not need to be disclosed to employers and, if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice Website and on the websites of charities NACRO and UNLOCK. 

Our commitment to equality and diversity: As a school, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics, which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not discriminating on any grounds.