We are seeking to appoint a SENCO, who will be responsible for leading and developing the Learning Support department for Years 7 to 13 at The Priory School, Hitchin.

The SENCO will hold responsibility for the mainstream element of provision and will work alongside the Head of Inclusion, who will hold responsibility for the Special Resources Provision (SRP) and overall inclusion strategy at TPSH.

You will lead a dedicated team of Teachers and Teaching Assistants and be the driving force behind our culture of high expectations for all students, regardless of background or ability. You will champion our values-based ethos by proactively identifying and removing academic and non-academic barriers to learning, whilst also providing training and support to staff both within the Learning Support department and beyond.

Acting as the vital link between home and school, you will build robust partnerships with families as well as colleagues within the local authority, to ensure that our provision meets the needs of all learners.

Why join The Priory School, Hitchin?

The Priory School is an oversubscribed, co-educational Foundation School serving over 1,200 students in the Hertfordshire town of Hitchin. As part of the Hitchin Sixth Form Consortium (alongside Hitchin Girls’ School and Hitchin Boys’ School), we also offer access to a vibrant post-16 community of over 800 learners.

Our values

At The Priory School, Hitchin, we are committed to empowering every child to meet their aspirations, to be self-confident, inspirational, and active members of their community whatever their background, ability, or circumstance. We achieve this by ensuring that every child at TPSH follows a rich and ambitious curriculum, is offered extensive extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities, and that they benefit from inspirational teaching, alongside dedicated pastoral care that provides a secure and caring environment.

We are incredibly proud of our students who are superb ambassadors for our school when representing us in Hitchin but also nationally, and internationally. We are proud to serve the entire community of Hitchin and as such, we have a number of exciting partnerships with local and national organisations.

Our staff are well-qualified, highly experienced, and dedicated to providing the very best education and pastoral care to every student. We all share the same values that are woven into our school’s culture: Responsibility, Respect, and Resilience.

Staff development and support

We are committed to providing high-quality professional development and support to all of our staff and understand that teachers and support staff are the decisive element in positively changing the lives of young people.

We recognise that teaching is a rewarding but pressured profession, as such, we are dedicated to maintaining a culture where staff wellbeing matters. In staff surveys, our staff consistently report that they are proud to work at The Priory School, Hitchin.

Facilities

Our school has some of the best facilities that you will find anywhere and we are lucky enough to sit on an expansive 27-acre site. We benefitted from a £1.6 million investment in our 3G football pitches in collaboration with Hitchin Belles Football Club, a £500,000 pavilion, revamped café, a new languages block, and our newly built Sixth Form centre which received a £2.8million investment. We also have ample on-site parking and are a short walk from Hitchin train station.

Working or living in Hitchin

Hitchin is a beautiful historic market town in North Hertfordshire, surrounded by lovely countryside, with a population of approximately 33,500. It has been voted in the ‘Top 10 Best Places to Live in the UK’ in The Times.

It has great transport links, being just two miles from the A1(M) and only 10 miles from the M1, and is in easy reach of London with Kings Cross station a mere 30 minutes away. There is also good access to the main rail routes to Cambridge.

The town is great for families with lots of activities for young people and their parents to participate in including sports and activities, youth organisations, performing arts and more. Hitchin also is well known in the area as a town for foodies with virtually every cuisine represented. Hitchin Festival runs throughout the month of July with over 100 different events celebrating the artistic, cultural and community life of the town.