At Ascot Road Primary School we know that all children can achieve. We are looking for a SENCO with a passion for teaching and learning who is ready to advocate for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and to support staff to enable them to be confident teachers of children with SEND. This is a full-time/part time role – 3 days per week. You will be part of the senior leadership team, helping to formulate and drive the strategic vision for the school.

Core Purpose

• To support and inspire students with additional learning needs to achieve their best, and in doing so, liaise with parents and the wider staff.

• To maintain high professional and academic standards, remaining up to date in terms of subject knowledge and pedagogical techniques, and sharing these with the wider teaching staff.

• Be responsible for day-to-day operation of the SEND policy and coordination of specific provision to support the holistic development of individual pupils with SEND or a disability.

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

Main duties and responsibilities

Strategic development of SEND policy and provision

• Have a strategic overview of provision for pupils with SEND or a disability across the school, monitoring and reviewing the quality of provision.

• Contribute to school self-evaluation, particularly with respect to provision for pupils with SEND or a disability.

• Ensure the SEND policy is put into practice.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of national and local initiatives that may affect the school’s policy and practice.

• Demonstrate both enthusiasm and high standards of teaching.

Operation of the SEND policy and coordination of provision

• Maintain an accurate SEND register and provision map.

• Provide guidance to colleagues on teaching pupils with SEND and advise on the graduated approach to SEND support.

• Be aware of the provision in the local offer.

• Work with early years providers, other schools, educational psychologists, health and social care professionals, and other external agencies.

• Be a key point of contact for external agencies, especially the local authority (LA).

• Make appropriate referrals and applications to meet children’s needs.

• Liaise with the assistant SENCO particularly regarding children with ASD and communication needs.

• Analyse assessment data for pupils with SEND

• Implement and lead interventions for groups of pupils with SEND, and evaluate their effectiveness and/or provide support to other staff to do the same.

• Deploy SEND support staff according to need.

Support for pupils with SEND

• Support teachers with assessing children in a timely manner.

• Coordinate provision that meets the pupil’s needs, and monitor its effectiveness.

• Secure relevant services for the pupil.

• Ensure records, including one page profiles, are maintained and kept up to date.

• Review education, health and care plans (EHCP) with parents or carers.

• Communicate regularly with parents or carers.

• Ensure if the pupil transfers to another school, all relevant information is conveyed to it, and support a smooth transition for the pupil.

• Promote the pupil’s inclusion in the school community and access to the curriculum, facilities and extra-curricular activities.

• Work with the designed teacher for looked-after children, where a looked-after pupil has SEND.

Leadership and management

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

• Prepare and review information the governing board is required to publish.

• Contribute to the school improvement plan and whole-school policy.

• Identify training needs for staff and how to meet these needs.

• Share procedural information, such as the school’s SEND policy.

• Promote an ethos and culture that supports the school’s SEND policy and promotes good outcomes for pupils with SEND.

Other areas of responsibility

• To be one of the deputy DSL within our safeguarding team.

The SENCO will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and follow school policies and the staff code of conduct.

Please note that this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role.  It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the SENCO will carry out.  The post holder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the headteacher.

Our Vision

At the Danes Educational Trust we are committed to ‘Making the Difference Together’ sharing best practice and supporting each other to be the very best we can be.

Core Values

The post holder is expected to share our commitment to our core values:

• We value joy in working, teaching and learning together.

• We encourage everyone within our Trust to feel optimistic about the future and how they can shape it.

• We support all individuals in developing resilience to enable them to respond to change and grow as a result.

• We value and support the wellbeing of all individuals who learn and work in our schools.

• We provide equality of opportunity and experience for all.

• We provide a safe and secure learning environment for all.

Compliance

The post holder is required to be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection; health and safety; confidentiality; and data protection and report all concerns to an appropriate person.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate will be required for all posts.

Additional Information

All staff are required to participate in training and other learning activities, and in performance management and development as required by the Trust’s policies and practices.

This job description is a guide to the duties the post holder will be expected to undertake.  It is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive and will be subject to change as working requirements dictate and to meet the organisational requirements of the Trust.

Supervision/Job Context

The post holder is managed by the Headteacher.