Core Purpose 

To provide strategic leadership and direction for the Special Educational Needs Faculty and ensure that it is managed and organised to meet the aims and objectives of the school. To support the Senior Leadership Team in securing effective teaching and learning, the holistic well-being of SEND pupils and developing school policy and practice.

All teachers are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Main duties and responsibilities

Strategic Direction and Development of the Subject:

• Develop and implement policies and practices for the Special Educational Needs Faculty which reflect whole school aims and objectives

• Create a climate which enables staff to develop and maintain positive attitudes towards the support and development of pupils with Special Educational Needs

• Create a climate which enables staff to liaise positively and proactively with the faculty

• Demonstrate both enthusiasm and high standards of teaching to members of the faculty and pupils

• Use interactions with pupils to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life

• Establish short, medium and long term plans for the development and resourcing for the faculty which contribute to whole-school aims, policies and practices and identify realistic targets for the development of the subject

Leading and Managing Staff:

• Help staff to achieve constructive working relationships with pupils and establish clear expectations and constructive working relationships among staff involved with the Special Educational Needs Faculty

• Appraise staff as required by school policy and develop and evaluate staff development and training needs

• Line manage the Deputy SENCO

• Ensure that all new Learning Support Practitioners (LSPs) are appropriately trained, monitored, supported, assessed and effectively inducted into the department

• Ensure that all new teachers to the school are effectively inducted with regard to the information and support available to facilitate Quality First Teaching

• Encourage staff to discuss developing ideas and foster an atmosphere of discovery to enhance the provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs

Communication and Liaison

• Communicate effectively and meet regularly with members of the faculty through formal and informal meetings and briefings

• Meet regularly with an SLT line manager over matters relating to the faculty and over personal professional development. Attend SLT meetings. 

• Liaise with other staff, including Senior Leaders, Heads of Years, Subject Coordinators, Data Manager etc on matters relating to the faculty

• Liaise with the Director of Inclusion for the Danes Educational Trust when necessary on matters relating to the faculty 

• Liaise with the Examinations Officer with regard to access arrangements for public examinations and mock examinations

• Provide reports to the Local Governing Body, Headteacher and Local Authority on the provision for and progress of pupils

• Liaise with feeder Primary schools to support the transition of pupils with Special Educational Needs

Teaching and Learning

• Support effective curriculum coverage, continuity and progression for all pupils through the deployment of LSPs and, where necessary,  interventions such as small group targeted support programmes

• Ensure that teachers are aware of pupils’ needs and appropriate strategies to meet those needs in order to inform decisions regarding appropriate teaching and learning methods

• Contribute to the evaluation of the teaching and learning of pupils with Special Educational Needs in the school, making recommendations for action to improve provision if necessary

• Ensure the development of pupils' literacy, numeracy and information communication technology skills 

• Establish policies and implement procedures to evaluate and report on the progress of pupils with Special Educational Needs via whole school reporting systems

• Establish high expectations and ensure that clear targets are set for pupil achievement including for those with special educational needs and the more able

• Use data effectively to identify pupils who are underachieving and create plans of action to include target setting

• Ensure the effective development of pupils' individual learning skills takes place

• Establish a partnership with parents to involve them in their child's learning, including termly SEN reviews and develop effective links with the local community

Efficient and Effective Deployment of Staff and Resources

• Establish timetabling, staff and resource needs for the faculty and inform the SLT line manager of priorities for expenditure in connection with school policies and the faculty development plan

• Ensure the effective and efficient management of learning resources including ICT

• Use accommodation to create an effective and stimulating learning environment in which health and safety risks are properly assessed

• Maintain effective control for allocated capitation for the Special Educational Needs Faculty

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 a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Contacts 

The post holder will work with Senior Leadership Team members, faculty coordinators, teaching staff, Learning Support Practitioners, and non-teaching staff. They will have contact with pupils, parents, governors, and may have contact with advisors and other visitors to the school.