Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCO)
Start date: January 2024 or sooner
At Headley Park Primary School, our mission is to ensure that every pupil leaves our school with the ability and desire to learn more, unlock their potential and make their mark in the world. We are looking for someone with a passion for inclusion to join our team as SENDCo and continue to ensure that children with additional needs thrive at Headley Park.
The role
This is a part-time position, 0.8 FTE 4-days a week (or 0.6 FTE 3-days a week would be considered for the successful candidate). The role will be highly rewarding as you’ll have the opportunity to directly contribute to children receiving the support they need. You’ll be out of class and will work closely with teachers, support staff, pupils and parents as part of your role.
We have a lot to offer the successful candidate, including:
- A highly experienced assistant SENDCo who supports the role 4 days a week
- A supportive team of staff with a strong team ethos
- A network of SENDCos across the Cathedral Schools Trust family of 3 secondary and 6 primary schools and support from the trust’s SEND lead
- A professional development strategy and offer for SEND
- A wide range of opportunities for personal professional development
Alongside that, we also offer:
Amazing Children
Headley Park children are happy, positive and well behaved. They are full of potential and eager to learn.
Evidence Informed Practice
We are committed to evidence-informed practice. Leaders make decisions based on what evidence says works.
Great Behaviour
At Headley Park we aim to make it easy for our pupils to behave by teaching them the behaviours we expect. We have a behaviour curriculum that provides staff with a consistent approach to rewards, routines and sanctions across the school, from Nursery to Year 6. Behaviour is fully supported by a responsive SLT.
A Strong Curriculum
Our fully sequenced, cumulative curriculum is underpinned by detailed schemes of work and additional resources to support the planning and delivery of excellent lessons.
Instructional Coaching
All our teachers are entitled to fortnightly instructional coaching sessions using the Steplab professional learning platform.
Steplab Hub
We are a Steplab Hub School meaning we help other schools prepare for their instructional coaching journey by sharing our expertise.
Amazing Support Staff
We have a team of highly skilled support staff who work alongside teachers in every year group.
One Team
Members of staff at all levels come together to support each other. We are a friendly and approachable team.
We are looking for someone who:
- Is an exceptional teacher with high expectations of children’s attainment and progress.
- Has substantial experience of working with children with SEND and can help them to achieve academically and personally.
- Has experience of supporting children with SEND beyond the classroom (e.g. across a phase, Key Stage or as a previous SENDCo).
- Has a sound knowledge of the SEN code of practice.
- Preferably holds the SENDCO qualification or is willing to work towards achieving one (we would support the right candidate to undergo a SEND qualification).
- Has experience in leading and managing staff to develop and implement effective provision for pupils.
- Is able to inspire and motivate staff to strive for excellence.
- Can work effectively with all stakeholders, particularly parents.
- Has excellent verbal and written communication skills to support writing statutory assessment requests, learning and support plans etc.
- Is committed to setting and modelling high standards in all areas of school life.
- Will champion a sense of pride in our community.
Please see the full recruitment pack for more information.
Questions and visits
Visits to the school to meet the pupils and staff are encouraged. We have various opportunities for you to visit during or after the school day:
- Tuesday 19th September 10.15am or 4.00pm
- Thursday 21st September 10.15am or 4.00pm
- Tuesday 26th September 4.00pm
- Thursday 28th September 11.00am or 4.00pm
- Tuesday 3rd October 10.15am or 4.00pm
- Thursday 5th October 10.15am or 4.00pm
To book a place on one of these tours, please contact the school office via phone or email.
If you are unable to make one of these dates, we will be happy to try to arrange an alternative time for you to visit the school outside of the school day. Please contact the school office to arrange a separate visit.
Contract type: Part-time 0.8FTE, 4 days per week (or 0.6FTE, 3 days a week considered for the successful candidate)
Salary: Main Pay Scale or Upper Pay Scale with TLR
Closing date for applications: 9.00am on Monday 9th October 2023
Shortlisting: Monday 9th October 2023
Interview date: Tuesday 16th October 2023
Start date: Tuesday 2nd January 2024 or sooner
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts at Cathedral Schools Trust are subject to pre-employment checks incl, but not limited to, initial and periodic enhanced level checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Cathedral Schools Trust is an equal opportunities employer and recognises the strength in diversity. Our schools have a wide range of cultural, socio economic and religious influences and we use this to ensure that we broaden our understanding of each other and the world.
Applications are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or religious belief, sex or sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability or age, and maternity, marital or civil partner status. We encourage applications from under-represented groups. We particularly welcome those from BAME backgrounds as we recognise that our staff team does not currently reflect the diversity of our student body.
As part of our commitment to equal opportunities, we ask that all applications are made using our application form and are accompanied by an equal opportunities form. The equal opportunities form is anonymous and is not shared with the shortlisting panel.
Notes: The duties outlined in this job description may be modified by the school, with your agreement, to reflect or anticipate changes in the job, commensurate with the salary and job title. This document does not form part of your contract of employment with the school.