SENDCO – Cottenham Village College

Full‑time, Permanent
Salary: MPS/UPS + TLR1A
Closing date: 1st March

About Cottenham Village College

Cottenham Village College is a highly successful 11–16 mixed academy and proud member of the Astrea Academy Trust. Located close to the beautiful city of Cambridge, the college is known for its hard‑working, well‑behaved students and dedicated staff, all committed to providing a fully inclusive, comprehensive learning environment. 

The school has a long-standing ethos of serving its community, inspired by the heritage of the Cambridgeshire village college model, promoting lifelong learning, high aspirations, and a love of knowledge. The college places great value on Scholarship, Curiosity, and Tenacity, supporting every young person to discover their strengths and thrive.

Cottenham Village College is a non‑selective, inclusive school at the heart of its community, welcoming students from Cottenham and surrounding villages.

The Role: SENDCO

We are seeking an exceptional SENDCO to join our inclusive and ambitious school community. This is a key leadership role with responsibility for shaping high‑quality SEND provision across the College.

Key Responsibilities

The SENDCO will:

• Lead the strategic development of SEND provision across the school, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.
• Oversee the identification of students with SEND and maintain accurate and up‑to‑date records.
• Work closely with teachers to ensure high‑quality classroom practice that meets the needs of all learners.
• Provide targeted intervention strategies and specialist guidance to staff.
• Coordinate provision for students with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• Foster positive relationships with parents, external agencies, and wider professionals.
• Lead and support SEND staff, including teaching assistants, to deliver effective support.
• Monitor student progress and evaluate the impact of SEND interventions.
• Champion an inclusive school culture aligned with Cottenham’s values of Scholarship, Curiosity, and Tenacity. 

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for an experienced, motivated, and passionate professional who:

• Is a qualified teacher with (or working towards) the National Award for SEN Coordination.
• Has a strong understanding of SEND legislation and inclusive practice.
• Must be able to teach Maths or English
• Can lead, inspire and collaborate with colleagues across the school.
• Has excellent communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with students, families and professionals.
• Is committed to transforming outcomes for young people with additional needs.
• Shares our commitment to inclusion, high expectations, and community‑focused education. 

To request further information, please contact:

📧 sharon.omullane@astreacottenham.org

Commitment to Safeguarding and EDI:

Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory background checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check. We value diversity and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. As a Disability Confident employer, we provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure all candidates can fully demonstrate their abilities.

In line with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 and the statutory Code of Practice, the Trust requires all public-facing post holders to demonstrate fluent English. Within a school setting, this applies to all roles that involve direct or indirect interaction with pupils, parents, or members of the public.

Flexible Interview Dates:

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, so don't miss out on this exciting opportunity. Please note that interview dates are flexible, and the academy reserves the right to interview shortlisted candidates during the application window. 

We look forward to welcoming applications from individuals who are passionate about making a difference and contributing to a truly inclusive school community.