Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo.)

Salary: MPS/UPS incl. Fringe + TLR1b

Full-Time, Permanent (0.8 FTE considered)

Required for Easter 2025

Join Rickmansworth School, an Outstanding (Ofsted, September 2023) and heavily oversubscribed co-educational academy, known for its excellence in both academia and holistic student development. We are proud to offer an exciting opportunity for an adept SENDCo to join our visionary school.

With 1,560 students on roll (increasing to 1,575 next year), Rickmansworth School is a vibrant and growing community where academic results are consistently strong at both KS4 and KS5, with the majority of students securing their first-choice university destinations.

The School’s admissions criteria gives preference to staff members’ children (as there is a demonstrable skill shortage for this post, the successful candidate could apply for a priority admission place for their own child).

We are proud of our:

• Recent £6M investment in new facilities, including a Sixth-Form Centre, Performing Arts Theatres, and an Innovation & Design Centre

• Strong, stable financial position and robust support from an engaged PTA and Foundation

• Outstanding staff well-being program, which includes access to our fitness suite, swimming pool, flu vaccinations, complimentary eye tests, and a fortnightly well-being afternoon

• Fantastic students who enjoy learning and are an absolute pleasure to teach. We believe every child deserves the best and we aim to achieve excellence in all aspects of school life

Rickmansworth School recognises that every student has unique and individual needs, with some requiring more support than others to reach their full potential. Currently, 16% of our students are identified as having SEND (1.3% EHCP) , and while some may only need short-term, minimal support, others may require ongoing assistance throughout their education. Our commitment is to foster an inclusive environment where all students can thrive academically and socially, ensuring they benefit from the wide range of opportunities available at school. The school’s goal is to provide each student with the necessary strategies to manage their needs in a nurturing setting and ensure meaningful access to the National Curriculum.

This approach was recently acknowledged with the Inclusion Quality Mark and a recent shortlisting for a national TES Award for Inclusive School of the Year (2024).

The SENDCo  will be responsible for the long-term strategic development and daily management of provisions for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, offering professional guidance and ensuring high-quality teaching within this area. Their role is to support and equip all teachers to be effective in delivering education for students with SEND.

Applications from teachers of Spanish, computing, technology, humanities, economics  or any  science  discipline including social sciences are especially welcome.

Ideally the successful candidate would hold the NASENCo qualification or be working towards the NPQ for SENCO qualification.

What we offer:

• Outstanding professional development: Excellent CPD opportunities tailored to support your growth

• Exemplary student behaviour: A culture where students love learning and thrive academically

• A supportive working environment: Be part of a professional team where collaboration and teamwork are at the heart of our operations

• Exceptional staff well-being program: Including access to our on-site fitness suite, swimming pool, and health support services such as flu vaccinations and complimentary eye tests

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and are an equal opportunities employer.  Applicants must declare any criminal convictions and submit to a check with the Disclosing and Barring Service as the post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  Further details can be obtained from the website www.rickmansworth.herts.sch.uk, by calling the School on 01923 773296 or by email to applications@rickmansworth.herts.sch.uk.

Application Process

Deadline for applications: 08:00 Wednesday 15 January 2025

Interviews: Tuesday 21 January 2025

Please apply as soon as possible as shortlisting/interviews will progress up until the closing date. Should a suitable candidate be appointed, we reserve the right to close the advert early. 

Due to the volume of applicants we receive, if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume we will not be progressing your application further on this occasion.

Selection Process:

We are required for only shortlisted candidates  to conduct online searches about an applicant as part of our shortlisting process in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance 2024 in order to identify any incidents or concerns which are publicly available online.  On signing the declaration on application you will be agreeing to the acknowledgement that such searches will be conducted as part of the shortlisting process.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the school where there will be a number of related tasks, details of which will be discussed on the day. Interviews will be held with the Headteacher,  Assistant Headteacher and possibly another member of SLT.  There will also be a tour of the school estate and this may be conducted by other members of the school community.