SENCO

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced SENCO to join our team at The Chalk Hills Academy and will lead the development of our SEND team. We are an oversubscribed school and held in high regard within the community in Luton and we are seeking to appoint an ambitious, enthusiastic and dedicated SENCO with a passion for raising standards through excellence in teaching and learning.

As well as being an excellent subject leader or pastoral leader, the candidate should have a proven track record in leading positive change and have the drive and commitment to ensure that high standards are met. The candidate will appreciate and engage with the latest research and be confident enough to deliver school wide CPD.

Our core focus, and at the heart of everyone’s responsibility, is Quality First Teaching. We are ambitious for our pupils, and we understand that this is underpinned by the high-quality lessons that are delivered, day in, day out. We make no exceptions and no deals in our approach to Teaching, because we know that it is right for our context. Staff and students of The Chalk Hills Academy are aligned to our Playbook approach and are reaping the benefits. Any new applicants will receive an enhanced on-boarding & induction process to support staff in implementing our core teaching routines.

At The Chalk Hills Academy, our values of Integrity, Ambition, Excellence are underpinned by very high expectations and drive in everything that we do. We have a powerful culture which is warm but strict, based on clear routines, systems, and structures. As a result, our teachers enjoy their teaching with impeccable behaviour in lessons and hardworking, highly motivated pupils.

Key Duties:

·         Strategic development of SEN policy and provision

·         Ensure the day-to-day effective organisation and running of the school including the deployment of staff as appropriate

·         Have an overview of provision for pupils with SEN or a disability across the school, monitoring and reviewing the quality of provision

·         Contribute to school self-evaluation, particularly with respect to provision for pupils with SEN or a disability

·         Make sure the SEN policy is put into practice and its objectives are reflected in the School improvement plan (AIP)

·         Maintain up-to-date knowledge of national and local initiatives that may affect the school’s policy and practice

·         Evaluate whether funding is being used effectively, and suggest changes to make use of funding more effective

·         Liaise with other schools to ensure continuity of support and learning when transferring pupils with SEN

·         Providing high quality line management so that the SEN dept is well managed and deployed, all are successfully engaged in learning and all pupils reach high levels of progress in relation to their abilities

·         Lead & manage an Assistant SENCO, 10 LSAs and the School Nurse

The successful candidate will

·         Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) & (NASENCO) or National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators.

·         Data Analysis: Ability to track pupil progress, identify gaps in achievement, and measure the impact of specific interventions.

·         Statutory Framework Expertise: Deep understanding of the SEND Code of Practice, EHCP processes, and funding mechanisms.

·         Coaching & Mentoring: The ability to upskill classroom teachers and Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) on Quality First Teaching strategies.

·         Inclusion Background: Proven experience working directly with a diverse range of SEND needs (e.g. ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia, SEMH). Be effective when dealing with Multi-Agency Collaboration.

·         Resilience & Emotional Intelligence, Exceptional Diplomacy, Solution-Focused Mindset & Authority with Empathy

·         Be an experienced leader who can manage staff and support colleagues to achieve targets set.

·         Have experience of a large multicultural school

·         Be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

·         Have excellent communication skills and enthuse staff and implement ideas

Job specifics

Start Date: September 2026 or following notice period

Salary: AST 1-12 dependent on experience, plus an allowance of £10,174

Job role: Full time, Permanent

The Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint a suitable candidate before the deadline date.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding and welfare of children is paramount and all our staff share this view. Applicants must be willing to undergo safeguarding and child protection checks including with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.