Job Title: Deputy SENCO
Full Time Annual Salary: £32,916 - £51,048 (M1 - UPS3) Based on Full Time hours
Actual Annual Salary: £19,750 - £30,629 Based on hours worked
Contract Type: Permanent, Part Time (0.6) All Year Round
Hours: 19.5 hours per week
Additional role info: Working pattern is yet to be confirmed and will be discussed at interview
Provisional start date: January 2026
We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Deputy SENCO to support the leadership and management of our SEND provision. In this pivotal role, you will assist the SENCO in ensuring high-quality learning support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), helping to drive excellence in teaching, resource use, and student outcomes.
You will play a key part in meeting the individual needs of designated students, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and delivering measurable improvements in both academic attainment and personal development. As Deputy SENCO, you will also take on leadership responsibilities in the SENCO’s absence, contributing to a culture of inclusion and achievement across the Academy.
You will have:
- A strong understanding of SEND legislation, the SEND Code of Practice, and current educational policies, with a commitment to staying informed of developments in the field.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to convey complex information clearly and build effective relationships with students, staff, parents/carers, and external agencies.
- Proven experience supporting students with SEND and additional needs, including planning and evaluating interventions and working collaboratively with families and professionals.
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a relevant degree, with a passion for inclusive education and a commitment to promoting the achievement and wellbeing of all learners.
- Strong organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to manage data, use school MIS systems, and support the effective deployment of resources.
- Emotional intelligence, resilience, and a caring approach, with the ability to remain calm under pressure and make sound decisions in challenging situations.
- A proactive approach to equality, diversity, and safeguarding, ensuring that all students feel safe, respected, and supported in their learning journey.
- The ability to lead and inspire others, including deputising for the SENCO when required and contributing to the strategic development of SEND provision across the Academy.
Applicants are advised to refer to the full requirements of the role in the attached job description and person specification, prior to submitting an application.
Why work at CLF?
We are a diverse and inclusive community of 36 academies across five cluster regions in the South West that is committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we’re all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We’re proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others.
We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters and so encourage applications from underrepresented and global majority groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
What we can offer you:
- Access to a generous pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Generous annual leave.
- A comprehensive induction and ongoing commitment to wellbeing and career progression, through a range of training, apprenticeships and in-role/wider-trust development opportunities.
- Well-being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
- A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.
- Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on-site parking plus many more!
Recruitment timeline:
Closing Date: 20 October 2025
Short-listing: 21 October 2025
Interviews: 5 November 2025
We welcome visits from potential candidates. If you would like to arrange a school visit prior to the closing date, please contact the academy/site directly to arrange a suitable appointment.
As part of our commitment to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), we do not accept CVs – a full education and employment history must be provided through our application form.
Skilled Worker visas cannot be sponsored through this role.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive a high level of interest in the role. Therefore, candidates are advised to apply at their earliest convenience to avoid missing out.
Additional Information:
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process please let us know how we can assist.