Our school is proud to be part of Anthem Schools Trust, who together create ambitious and successful schools where every child thrives. Through the Trust, we provide high-quality professional development, coaching and leadership opportunities. This includes a number of specialist Trust-wide roles that offer talented teachers and leaders the opportunity to develop in their career and make an even bigger difference to children and young people.

Located in South Oxfordshire, Abbey Woods caters for approximately 170 pupils, aged 3 to 11. It is situated in beautiful and spacious grounds, and we are an easy commute from the surrounding towns such as Abingdon, Didcot and Wallingford, along with good transport links to Oxford and Reading.

We are very proud of our small friendly school, we aim for high standards and outstanding achievement in a creative and fun environment. We encourage children to be successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens. 

The emotional wellbeing of every child is also an essential part of our ethos. We nurture and help our children to learn how to be happy, enjoy meaningful relationships with family and friends, and live their lives without fear or worry. 

Job purpose

To lead, manage, develop and maintain high quality special educational needs provision which enables quality teaching, excellent learning outcomes and success for all pupils. 

Overall responsibilities

The SENCo, under the direction of the Headteacher, will:

• Determine the strategic development of special educational needs & disabilities (SEND) policy and provision in the school
• Be responsible for day-to-day operation of the SEND policy and co-ordination of specific provision to support individual pupils with SEN or a disability (SEND)
• Provide professional guidance to colleagues, working closely with staff, parents and other agencies

 Main duties
Strategic direction and development of SEND provision in the school
With the support of, and working with, the Headteacher / Senior Leadership Team (SLT) the SENCo will: 

• Contribute to a positive and inclusive whole school ethos that promotes excellent outcomes for pupils with SEND
• Ensure the school meets its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010, Children’s Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice 2015
• Develop a strategic overview of provision for pupils with SEND across the school, in line with the Anthem Trust Education and Inclusion strategies, monitoring and reviewing the quality of provision
• Ensure the Anthem Trust SEND policy is implemented effectively within the school
• Develop, implement and monitor strategic SEND plans that are reflected in the Academy Improvement Plan
• Support all staff in understanding the needs of pupils with SEND
• Liaise with staff, parents, external agencies and other schools or settings to co-ordinate their contribution, provide maximum support and ensure continuity of educational provision for pupils with SEND
• Evaluate whether funding is being used effectively, and advise the Headteacher on making effective use of resources to ensure value for money 
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of national and local initiatives which may affect the school’s policy and practice
• Contribute to school self-evaluation, particularly with respect to provision for pupils with SEND
• Provide regular information to SLT and governors on the effectiveness of SEND provision and outcomes

Operation of the SEND policy and co-ordination of provision

• Support early and accurate identification and assessment of special educational needs
• Maintain an accurate SEND register
• Work in partnership with parents and families who have a child with SEND
• Advise on the graduated approach to SEND support
• Ensure the cycle of Assess, Plan, Do, Review (APDR) is used to inform provision and meet individual needs
• Co-ordinate additional provision that meets students’ needs, and monitor its effectiveness
• Coordinate the use of a Provision Map (Edukey or equivalent) and ensure it is being used effectively to develop individual learning plans and record, track and monitor the effectiveness of interventions
• Support person-centred, relational approaches, involving pupils and parents in all aspects of SEND provision
• Be aware of the provision in the Local Authorities local offer
• Work with early years/feeder primary providers, other schools, educational psychologists, health and social care professionals, and other external agencies and be a key point of contact for external agencies
• Work in partnership with students, parents and other professionals to ensure the needs of students with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are fully met and meet statutory requirements
• Support transition at all stages for pupils with SEND
• Ensure records of pupils with SEND are kept up to date

 Leading and managing staff

• Advise and contribute to all aspects of effective SEND continuing professional development for staff (including leading training and coaching)
• Establish opportunities for staff to review the needs, progress and targets of pupils with SEND
• Lead and manage teaching assistants working with pupils with SEND
• Lead staff appraisals and review staff performance on an ongoing basis

 Teaching and learning

• Support staff to implement inclusive Quality First Teaching (QFT), adapting teaching as necessary, to ensure every student is included in all aspects of learning.
• Collect and analyse assessment data on SEND to demonstrate progress and inform practice
• Implement intervention groups for pupils with SEND, and evaluate their effectiveness
• Support subject leaders to implement a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum in line with Anthem’s curriculum vision for SEND
• Promote the students’ inclusion in the school community and access to extra-curricular activities
• Ensure appropriate Access Arrangements are in place, to support pupil need in public examinations, and all paperwork submitted correctly

 Additional responsibilities and general requirements

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people, and follow school policies and the staff code of conduct
• Show commitment to the school, promote an inclusive ethos and equal opportunities for all in the school community, opposing strongly any form of discrimination
• Attend and participate in relevant training sharing the knowledge and ideas gained with colleagues
• Participate in the school’s appraisal and professional development scheme, ensuring that objectives are set and met within the agreed time-scale
• Undertake any professional duties commensurate with the grade of the post, reasonably delegated to him/her by the Headteacher
• Network and share good practice with other Anthem Trust SENCo's

Anthem Perks

Employee Benefits 

At Anthem, we value our employees and are committed to providing a rewarding and supportive working environment. As part of our team, you’ll have access to Anthem Perks, which includes a range of fantastic benefits designed to support your well-being, professional growth, and financial security. 
 
Two week half term - Staff benefit from a two-week half-term break in the autumn term, recognising and supporting wellbeing and retention. 

Cycle Scheme – Get a new bike and accessories through our tax-efficient salary sacrifice scheme. 

Tech & Home Scheme – Spread the cost of the latest tech and home essentials through convenient payroll deductions. 

Corporate Health Cash Plan – Reclaim the cost of everyday healthcare, from dental check-ups to physiotherapy. 

Eye Care – Support towards eye tests and glasses for screen users. 

Employee Assistance Programme – Free, confidential support for personal and work-related challenges. 

Employee Referral Scheme – Recommend a friend and receive a bonus when they join our team. 

Anthem Institute - Immerse yourself in amazing CPD opportunities for all roles, networking and learning from specialists in their field. 
 

At Anthem, we believe in supporting our staff, fostering a positive workplace culture, and helping every team member thrive. Join us and enjoy these great benefits as part of your career with Anthem! 

If you feel you have the skills and experience to support the pupils at Abbey Woods, we would be delighted to hear from you. We welcome visits to the school and are sure you will experience our nurturing, welcoming atmosphere to get a taste of how rewarding your work will be.

Please contact the school to arrange a visit or further discussion at admin@abbeywoods.anthemtrust.uk or telephone 01865 340420

Further information can be found in the job description and person specification at the Abbey Woods Career Site. Click here

Please note application should be made through the Abbey Woods’ Career Site, we do not accept CVs

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and require all staff and volunteers to share and demonstrate this commitment. The successful candidate will have to meet the requirements of the person specification and will be subject to the relevant pre-employment checks which will, where applicable, include a health check, an enhanced DBS check, the Children’s Barred List check and satisfactory references.

Anthem will undertake a basic online check for all shortlisted candidates.

It is an offence for an individual who has been disqualified from working with children to knowingly apply for, offer to do, accept, or do any work in a ‘regulated activity’. The position advertised is a ‘regulated activity’.