SENDCO & HEAD OF STUDENT SUPPORT
Permanent, Full Time
Leadership Scale L9-12 (£51,402 - £55,337)
The School
Gordano School is a large and highly successful 11-18 comprehensive secondary school approximately eight miles outside Bristol. We are very proud to be the sole secondary school serving the thriving town of Portishead, and benefit greatly from being a central part of our community.
We view education as something bigger than just academic achievement. We are proud of our considerable academic success, but believe that an education should be about preparing young people for their future lives in a complete sense. As well as consistently positive Progress 8 and Level 3 Value Added outcomes at GCSE and A Level respectively we place great emphasis on student leadership, an unparalleled extra-curricular programme and student progression to their next steps in a wide range of academic or vocational routes.
We value our membership of the Lighthouse Schools Partnership, the North Somerset Teaching Alliance and our role as a Teaching School in delivering high quality support and development for colleagues, both new to the profession and more established.
We were judged Outstanding in all categories in our last Ofsted inspection, but, just as importantly, seek to be a very happy school for our students and staff.
The Role
We are seeking to appoint a talented, enthusiastic and highly motivated SENDCO who shares our vision of providing the best possible education for all of the children within our school so that they become independent and effective lifelong learners.
The right candidate will have a passion for learning and supporting others to make progress, regardless of their needs, ability or background.
The role of SENDCO will require strategic planning, matching the needs of the student body with the most effective support as well as ensuring national and regional policy is implemented in line with best practice.
The SENDCO role will lead a well-established department including Assistant SENDCO, Teachers of Learning Support and Student Support Workers.
You will be able to effectively lead the team, work closely with all stakeholders and ensure that statutory requirements are fully considered when working with families, students and their additional needs.
To be considered for this position you must have:
- Qualified Teacher Status
- SENCO Qualification, or the willingness to do so
- Secondary school experience working very effectively with students with SEND
- Experience as a successful team leader and manager
- Ability to foster and maintain good relationships and work effectively with school stakeholders and external agencies
- Good knowledge of current educational thinking and developments, including excellent working knowledge of school responsibilities under The Equality Act (2010) and the Children and Families Act (2014)
- Experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of evidence-based SEND provision
- A personal commitment to high quality and excellence that will match and extend the school’s proven record
- Excellent ICT, organisational and communication skills
The Lighthouse Schools Partnership offers an excellent benefits package including contributory pension scheme, a comprehensive employee assistance programme and benefits (offering discounts on shopping), discounted on-site gym membership and on-site parking.
Application forms should be submitted with a covering letter (curriculum vitae optional) to the Headteacher, Mr Tom Inman by:
Closing Date: 9am on Tuesday 2nd February 2021
Interviews: Wednesday 10th February 2021 (provisional)
Gordano School reserves the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of the advertisement, should the School be able to appoint an appropriate candidate.
Gordano School supports Equal Opportunities Employment.
Gordano School is part of the Lighthouse Schools Partnership Trust. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Enhanced DBS checks are required for all successful applicants.