ENDING SOON

SENCO

Employer
Epsom Downs Community School and Early Years Centre
Location
Epsom Downs, Surrey
Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Part Time
Salary
MPS/UPR + SEN allowance £2,679
Start Date
As Soon As Possible
Expires
12th May 2025 12:00 PM
Contract Type
Permanent
Job ID
1476181
Job Reference
AS/CP/04/2025
Start Date
As Soon As Possible
  • Contract Type :Permanent
  • Job ID: 1476181

SENCo – Permanent

Part Time (80/100ths) MPS/UPR + SEN allowance £2,679
Hours/days of work can be flexible
Required September 2025

Join Our Inclusive Team at Epsom Downs Community School as SENCo

Ready for a fresh challenge? Do you have high expectations, drive, and vision?

Epsom Downs Community School is looking to appoint an experienced, creative, and dynamic Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) to join our forward-thinking and vibrant Inclusion Team. If you are an experienced classroom practitioner with a passion for inclusion, innovative teaching, and making a difference in the lives of children with special educational needs, this is the role for you!

Why Epsom Downs?

At Epsom Downs, we are proud of our nurturing and inclusive ethos, where every child, regardless of their background or ability, is treated with respect and given the support they need to succeed. Our inclusive values are at the heart of everything we do, and we believe in person-centred, inclusive practice that ensures every child thrives academically, socially, and emotionally. We are a flagship school in Surrey for Nurture and we even have a farm, two Forest Schools and an allotment space for gardening.

Epsom Downs is delighted to announce that it will join Greensand Multi Academy Trust in the summer term 2025 and staff will be contracted as employees of the trust. This is a significant step forward, as the school becomes part of a supportive network of schools committed to enhancing educational standards, sharing expertise, and providing additional resources for both staff and students.

Our Inclusion Team:

We are looking for a SENCo who will work in partnership with the Headteacher and our Inclusion Team, consisting of the Lead Teacher of the ASD Specialist Unit, the Safeguarding and Behaviour Lead, the Pupil Premium Lead, and two days of administrative support. Together, we aim to provide exceptional provision for pupils from Reception to Year 6.

About the Role:

As our SENCo, you will take a leadership role in ensuring that all pupils with special educational needs receive the support they need to reach their full potential. You will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and will work alongside the Headteacher to continue improving and developing our inclusive practice. This role involves leading a dynamic team, liaising with teachers, teaching assistants, and external agencies, and ensuring that all pupils—whether they have learning disabilities, social care needs, or other challenges—receive tailored support.

Do You Have:

• At least four years of teaching experience and a strong track record of excellent classroom practice?
• The ability to lead and support staff in raising standards and pupil achievements?
• Vision, enthusiasm, and a commitment to inclusion and achievement for all children, including those with SEN?
• A sense of humour, confidence in your ability, and a passion for innovation and change?
• The National Award in SEN Coordination, or the NPQ for SENCo, or the commitment to undertake the NPQ within two years of appointment?

We Can Offer You:

• A dedicated and experienced admin assistant to support your role.
• A friendly, supportive team with shared values of inclusion and collaboration.
• Senior Professional Development opportunities to continue growing in your career.
• A vibrant and diverse environment with quality resources and facilities, including a High CoIN Unit and specialist staff.
• Enrichment activities for children, such as gardening, cycling, animal care, and healthy living, that help foster a holistic approach to learning and development.

What’s Unique About Epsom Downs?

Our school is home to a solid inclusion team that works together to support children with a variety of needs, including special educational needs, disabilities, social care, and emotional wellbeing. This includes a Lead Teaching Assistant, HSLW, Attendance Manager, and an Early Years SENCo. We also have an integrated Day Nursery and wraparound care facilities on site. Our High CoIN provides specialist support for pupils, with a dedicated Lead Teacher who has SENCo responsibility for the unit.

We pride ourselves on our nurturing and inclusive approach, offering a curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils, ensuring every child—regardless of their background or ability—has the opportunity to succeed. Our focus on outdoor activities and enrichment programs allows us to provide diverse, hands-on learning experiences that make a lasting impact.

Inclusion is at the Heart of Everything We Do:

Diversity is a strength we celebrate, and we are committed to fostering an environment where all children, including those with SEN and disabilities, are welcomed, supported, and celebrated. Our nurture approach ensures every child feels valued and has the tools to succeed.

At Epsom Downs Community School, we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students. The safety and well-being of each child are at the forefront of everything we do. We take a proactive approach to safeguarding, ensuring that all staff are fully trained and supported to recognise and respond to any concerns. Our rigorous safeguarding procedures are embedded within school life, and we work closely with families, external agencies, and the wider community to ensure every child is safe, valued, and supported to reach their potential.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe in providing a supportive and respectful environment for all our staff, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, gender, disability, or background. We strive to create a workplace where all staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to develop professionally. At Epsom Downs, we celebrate diversity and ensure that our recruitment and employment practices are fair, transparent, and designed to attract and retain a wide range of talented individuals.

Apply Today:

If you are a passionate and experienced SENCO who is ready to make a real difference, we want to hear from you. Apply now to be part of a forward-thinking team that values every child's potential. Epsom Downs Community School is an equal opportunities employer, and we select staff based on merit, irrespective of race, sex, disability, or age.

Join us at Epsom Downs and help us create an inclusive and inspiring environment where every child can thrive!

Tour times: Please contact us to book on a tour

  • Tuesday 22nd April – 2pm-3pm, 3pm-4pm
  • Wednesday 23rd April – 2.30pm-3.30pm
  • Thursday 24th April – 11am-12pm
  • Wednesday 30th April – 2.30pm-3.30pm
  • Friday 2nd May – 9am-10am, 10am-11am, 2.30pm-3.30pm, 3.30pm - 4.30pm
  • Thursday 8th May – 2pm-3pm

Closing Date: Monday 12th May at Midday
Interviews held: Friday 16th May

If you are interested in this post, we warmly invite you to visit Epsom Downs Community School and experience first hand the inclusive and nurturing environment we offer. We welcome tours of the school, providing you with the opportunity to meet with our Headteacher, who leads the Inclusion Team with passion and dedication. Our Headteacher is deeply committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or ability, is supported to succeed and reach their full potential. During your visit, you'll get a chance to see how our inclusive practices are integrated into daily life at the school, as well as have a conversation about how we strive to make a positive impact on each child’s learning journey.

Attachments

Safeguarding Statement:

Epsom Downs Community School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. It is a requirement for the successful applicant to undertake a school issued Enhanced DBS check, subscribe to the update service and accept the responsibility for providing and safeguarding the welfare of all pupils and children. ID documents and evidence of address will need to be produced at interview; which for the successful candidate will form the basis of proceeding with a DBS check.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. All Epsom Downs employees are deemed to be in regulated activity with children and as such, all offers of employment are subject the above mentioned check and any other deemed necessary by the school. All shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a declaration regarding offences and have references requested (unless agreed otherwise), prior to the interview.

Epsom Downs Community School and Early Years Centres is committed to being an equal opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills. Applications are invited from all members of the community. We do not discriminate against staff on the basis of age; race; sex; disability; sexual orientation; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; religion, faith or belief (Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics). The principles of non-discrimination and equality of opportunity also apply to the way in which we treat our visitors and volunteers.

Epsom Downs Community School and Early Years Centre

Epsom Downs Community School and Early Years Centre