KEY PURPOSE

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced SENDCO to join our Senior Leadership Team. This pivotal role combines strategic leadership with operational oversight to ensure inclusive education for all students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). You will champion SEND provision across the school, driving high standards, compliance, and innovation in support strategies.

The Assistant Head SENDCo at Harris Church of England Academy will have overall responsibility for the strategic development of the school’s Special Educational Needs (SEND) policy and oversight of the day-to-day operation of that policy with the aim of raising the achievement and attainment of the students who are disabled or have special educational needs.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

The appointee will be line managed by the Headteacher.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic direction and development of SEND provision

•  To develop and implement policies and practices which reflect the academy’s commitment to high achievement through effective teaching and learning.
• Lead the development and implementation of the school’s SEND strategy in alignment with whole-school  priorities.
• Advise SLT and governors on SEND policy, provision, and statutory responsibilities.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of SEND interventions and provision across departments.
• To support all staff in understanding the needs of SEND students and ensure the objectives to develop SEND are reflected in the whole school School Development Plan (SDP).
• To work with HOD’s to ensure Send attainment is tracked and interventions are put in place to support student progress.
• To engage with parents to make reasonable adjustments for students to ensure the highest levels of attendance and academic outcomes.
• To drive strategic development of Send provision across the academy to ensure we build on external best practice liaising with governors where appropriate.
• To track and report on Send, attainment, attendance and social engagement across school.
• To provide extra curricular and support for SEND students to access.
• To ensure I&A, wellbeing and nurture are utilized effectively to make students feel valued and safe.
• To use relevant college, local and national data to inform targets for development and further improvement for individuals and groups of students.
• To establish clear targets for achievement in the SEND area and evaluate progress.
• To establish and implement a variety of systems and processes which provide good information gathering about the quality of teaching and learning for SEND students and their prior learning, progress and achievements.
• To monitor, analyse and interpret relevant school, local and national data and advise on the level of resources required to maximise the achievement of SEND students.
• To liaise with staff, parents/carers, external agencies and other college/schools to co-ordinate their contribution, provide maximum support and ensure continuity of provision for SEND students.
• To involve all departmental colleagues in the creation and execution of the termly departmental action plan (DAP). This will identify clear targets, time-scales and success criteria for its development and/or maintenance in line with the whole school development plan (SDP).
• To regularly review and evaluate the progress towards the targets set in the DAP and provide regular progress updates to the SLT line manager to ensure that they are fully aware of all successes, issues and concerns.
• To ensure, where appropriate, representation of the department at Middle Leader meetings. If not attending the Middle Leader meetings, to keep abreast of debate and contribute through a representative colleague.
• To hold regular departmental meetings; keeping subject staff up-to-date with decisions and proposals made by different groups to seek departmental views of these.
• To assess and co-ordinate the identification, assessment and provision of SEND students.
• To ensure SEND provision is maximised through the flexible and efficient use of the Inclusion and Achievement department for behavioural, social and emotional provision, literacy and numeracy based intervention and for speech, language and communication based intervention.

SEND Coordination & Compliance

• Oversee the identification, assessment, and support of students with SEND, ensuring compliance with the SEND Code of Practice.
• Coordinate and manage Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), Annual Reviews, and referrals to external agencies.
• Maintain accurate SEND records and ensure timely reporting to stakeholders.

Staff Development & Support

• Lead and deliver CPD for staff on inclusive teaching, differentiation, and SEND strategies.
• Support teachers and support staff in planning and delivering high-quality provision for students with SEND.
• Line manage the Learning Support team and contribute to performance management processes.

Student Outcomes & Inclusion

• Monitor progress and attainment of students with SEND, ensuring appropriate interventions are in place.
• Promote inclusive practices and a culture of high expectations for all learners.
• Work closely with pastoral teams to support students’ wellbeing and engagement.

Teaching and learning

• Provide aspirational and effective learning experiences for students, in which lessons are consistently of at least “good” quality.
• To work with the SLT line manager and staff to develop effective ways of bridging barriers to learning through: assessment of needs; monitoring of teaching quality and student achievement; target setting and developing a recording system for progress.
• To ensure that all staff follow the agreed support strategies for SEND students.
• To ensure that suitable methods of assessment are devised and applied at appropriate times to assess and meet the requirements of SEND students.
• To provide advice, support and guidance on course entry and requirements for SEND students.
• To initiate and, where appropriate, organise curricular, extra-curricular and educational enhancement activities for SEND students.
• To use a variety of methods to monitor and evaluate the teaching and learning offered by the subject staff, and take appropriate action to improve further the quality of teaching and learning for SEND students.
• To provide quality assurance monitoring and intervention with all staff.
• To monitor progress and evaluate the effects of any improvement strategies on teaching and learning by working alongside college staff, analysing work and outcomes.
• To provide regular feedback to the SLT line manager to help the college evaluate its practice.
• To assist the SLT line manager in the regular review of the standards of leadership and teaching and learning for SEND students.
• To undertake day-to-day co-ordination of SEND students’ provisions through close liaison with staff, parents/carers and external agencies.
• To work with all staff to ensure all students’ learning is of equal importance and that there are realistic expectations of students.

Leading and managing staff

• To provide professional guidance to staff to secure good teaching for SEND students, through both written guidance and meetings.
• To ensure EHCP requirements are fully implemented, documented and cost effective.
• To be responsible for inducting new staff in the department.
• To ensure that all relevant staff understand, and are actively implementing, the key aspects of the school’s SEND policies.
• To secure, maintain and integrate the collaborative effort of the staff in the department so that involvement, commitment and team spirit are promoted.
• To lead and manage your team effectively
• To implement and promote the use of performance management to develop the personal and professional effectiveness of staff in the department.
• To act as a performance management team leader for identified staff
• To ensure that all staff in the department have high quality professional development opportunities.
• Take initial responsibility for the pastoral care and welfare of all staff in the department.
• To chair all Annual Reviews.
• To attend relevant Annual Reviews at the middle schools to help facilitate continuity and progression through the development of a transition programme.
• To liaise with students, parents/carers and teachers requiring advice about provision.
• To oversee the programme of transition for SEND students, in liaison with middle schools and other agencies.

Resource Management

• To ensure the efficient and effective management of the Inclusion and Achievement department, ensuring high quality support is in place.
• To maintain efficient and effective management and organisation of learning resources, by developing or identifying new resources including ICT applications to the subject.
• To administer efficiently and effectively the resources and capitation of the department.
• To ensure colleagues create a stimulating learning environment for the teaching and learning of the subject.
• To be aware of and respond appropriately to any health and safety issues raised by materials, practice or accommodation related to the subject.
• To discuss departmental timetable schedules with all members of the department and to ensure a fair and realistic distribution of support and intervention in accordance with information issued by SLT.
• To plan the deployment of staff expertise to achieve the best outcomes for students and cost effective use of resources.