Are you passionate about making a difference for young people with special educational needs and disabilities? Do you have the skills and commitment to ensure high standards of SEND provision in a welcoming and ambitious special school? This could be the role for you!

At Woodlands Secondary School (Luton, LU3), we are seeking a suitably experienced and dedicated SENCo to join our hardworking, friendly and supportive staff team. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with wonderful students in a setting that prioritises empowering our young people to become successful adults..  You will work alongside and support the work of our Assistant Head for Inclusion and to be supported by our EHCP administrator.  

What We Offer:

• Fantastic students 
• A hardworking, friendly and supportive staff team
• Great facilities for learning, including our school garden, hydrotherapy pool, rebound room, soft play room, school cafe, mini-enterprise hub, school library, and the school gym
• Senior and middle leaders who take staff and student wellbeing seriously, whilst ensuring the best outcomes for young people
• A supportive Governing Board

Benefits of Working Here:

• High quality CPD tailored to your professional development
• Free access to Employee Assistance provided by PAM Wellness (confidential support 24/7)
• Supportive senior and middle leadership team
• Free tea and coffee
• Access to our onsite cafe, 4 days per week – sit in or take away; loyalty cards available
• Opportunities to be entered into a half-termly draw to win a cafe voucher (based on good attendance)
• Access to the onsite gym
• Discounted membership rates at Active Luton
• Free eye tests and contributions towards glasses

Working in a special school is a unique and privileged opportunity for the right people. 

We advise interested parties to ensure they have looked at the school website www.woodlands.luton.sch.uk and our Facebook Page - Official Woodlands Secondary School,  in order to get a flavour of our school.    

Visits to the school are encouraged.  To arrange a visit to the school please contact:   schooloffice@woodlands.luton.sch.uk

When completing the letter of application, please ensure you address all of the points in the essential column on the person specification.   See the attached document about completing a high quality letter of application. 

Safeguarding:

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post meets the definition of ‘Regulated Activity’ as defined in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (as amended).

Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for an enhanced DBS check to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person’s criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.

If you are committed to inclusion, have high expectations for all students, and want to work in a positive and supportive environment, we would love to hear from you.