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.
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
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 Head of Faculty.
Contacts
The post holder will work with students and staff as appropriate.
