About the Role

The role of Associate Assistant Headteacher – SENCO is a strategic and influential leadership position, responsible for ensuring that students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) receive the highest quality support and have every opportunity to achieve highly. At its heart, the role exists to make sure every young person regardless of need, background, or starting point can thrive academically, personally, and socially.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking an inspiring, knowledgeable, and compassionate leader who is deeply committed to ensuring that students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can thrive. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of professional expertise, strategic leadership, and personal warmth that reflects the school’s values of Integrity, Care and Excellence

About Chellaston Academy

At Chellaston Academy, children are at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is to create mature, confident and successful global citizens who can thrive in an ever changing world, guided by our shared values of Integrity, Care and Excellence.

While strong academic outcomes matter, we believe success is defined by far more than examination results. We are committed to developing the whole person, nurturing qualities such as self-confidence, self-belief and self-esteem, and recognising and celebrating individual talents.

Our students benefit from a broad and balanced curriculum, and we work closely with parents and carers to ensure that, when expectations are high and shared, every child can achieve great things. This includes promoting an excellent attitude centred on respect, high standards of appearance, good manners, full attendance and punctuality.

Chellaston Academy is a school where:

• Diversity is celebrated and inclusion shapes everything we do.
• Children feel safe, happy and supported.
• High expectations drive achievement for all.
• Relationships between staff and students are strong, respectful and built on trust.
• Staff wellbeing is valued, and colleagues genuinely enjoy being part of our community.

Why join Tapestry?

As part of our Trust, you'll benefit from:

• A supportive network of professionals who share your commitment to excellence.
• High quality professional development and career progression opportunities
• A caring, inclusive organisation that values staff wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Access to a range of employee benefits designed to promote health and wellbeing.

This is your chance to be part of something special.  Help us shape the future and make a lasting impact.

Purpose of the post

To ensure that all children and young people in the school have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and achieve highly, regardless of their ability or background.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Main Duties

• Provide strategic and operational leadership of SEND provision and intervention programmes for all students identified with SEND needs;
• Raise standards and be accountable for the progress and attainment of all SEND students, leading on outcomes for SEND students requiring intervention/personalised timetables to close gaps and maintain mainstream education;
• Contribute to improving teaching and assessment for SEND learners and advise curriculum/pastoral leaders;Create a culture of high expectations, aspiration, and pursuit of excellence to drive improvement for all SEND students;
• Manage SEND systems and processes (register, provision map, EHCP cycles);
• Ensure all staff recognise and fulfil their statutory responsibilities for SEND students;
• Ensure the Academy meets all statutory requirements for SEND students; and that provision and policies meet individual needs within an appropriately broad and balanced curriculum;
• Effectively plan and manage equitable deployment of SEND budget and physical resources;

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

• Ensure rigorous monitoring and intervention for students with SEND;
• Support teachers to meet the needs of SEND learners through training, advice, and SEND QA;
• Lead on and implement Academy wide approaches to SEND and support wider Trust SEND initiatives;
• Lead on and develop an effective CPD programme which develops staff expertise and disseminates procedural information such as EHCP’s, the SEND Code of Practice, and SEND Policy;
• Ensure students are set targets in line with expected levels of progress and that progress is monitored through a rigorous programme of intervention and review;
• Organise appropriate support to meet statutory requirements and individual needs during internal and external examinations;
• Undertake regular quality assurance activities in line with school requirements and to monitor and review the effectiveness of provision;
• Liaise regularly with the Local Authority SEND Team;
• Challenge under performance in SEND provision and escalate where necessary;
• Undertake assessments and reviews in line with statutory requirements and needs;
• Ensure Education Health Care and other plans to support students are monitored termly;
• Take an active role in coaching, modelling, and supporting staff to continually improve their practice;
• Contribute to the training, support, and monitoring of new staff, including NQT and trainee teachers;

SEND Curriculum Development and Innovation

• Advise curriculum leaders to ensure curriculum pathways and adjustments meet SEND needs;
• Maximise opportunities for all students to achieve progress in line with expectations;
•  Ensure continuity of learning and of progression for all SEND students at each key stage;
•  Provide mapped personalised and bespoke learning pathways for specific groups and vulnerable students;
• Ensure provision maps are up to date and monitored at least termly so that intervention programmes target the right students and resources are deployed effectively;
• Ensure students on alternative or bespoke timetables are well supported to access increased mainstream provision;

Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare

• Advise pastoral teams on SEND-related behaviour needs and ensure adjustments are applied;
• Explore opportunities to increase engagement with parents of SEND students;
•  Ensure appropriate liaison with MATs, external agencies, examination boards, further education, and other external agencies to meet the needs of SEND students;
•  Ensure accurate records are kept of meetings with parents and outside agencies;
•  Ensure SEND learners receive appropriate attendance support and adjustments;
•  Support the consistent application of the Rewards, Behaviour, and Discipline Policy and approaches to ensure students conduct themselves in an appropriate manner;
•  Ensure consistent approaches to behaviour management so that use if derogatory language, aggressive or bullying behaviour, and stereotyping are challenged;

Other Leadership

•  Attend SEND-related leadership meetings as required;
• Monitor SEND budget use and make recommendations for approval to Line Manager;
•  Effectively line manage staff, as directed by the Headteacher in line with their job descriptions;
• Contribute to staff CPD to support improvements for students with additional needs;
• Undertake any professional duties, reasonably delegated by the Headteacher;
•  Support the Headteacher and Trust in establishing a culture of high expectation, aspiration and pursuit of excellence across the Academy;
•  Maintain a visible, professional and high profile across the Academy;
•  Provide a supportive, professional ethos, always leading by example;
• Lead the SEND section of SEF/SIP and contribute SEND analysis to whole-school plans;
•  Demand ambitious standards for all students, overcoming disadvantage and advancing equality;
•  Support the smooth running of SEND provision and the Extended Learning department
• Assist with the recruitment and retention of high-quality SEND support staff;
• Prepare agendas, chair meetings and keep records in accordance with role and line management  responsibilities;
•  Contribute to keeping Academy policies, the website and other documentation up to date;
•  Represent the Academy at SEND-specific meetings (LA panels, multi-agency reviews);
• Support and encourage extra-curricular activities to enhance the Academy learning experiences;
• Work with primary academies, secondary partners and network groups as appropriate;

Safeguarding

• Work in line with statutory safeguarding guidance (e.g., Keeping Children Safe in Education, PREVENT and our safeguarding and child protection policies;
• Work with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to promote the best interests of students, including sharing concerns where necessary;
• Promote the safeguarding of all students in the school;

The postholder is expected to:

• Maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to data protection legislation and associated Trust policies at all times.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of, and commitment to, safeguarding and child protection, maintaining an awareness of relevant procedures and responsibilities.
• Comply with the Trust’s Health and Safety Policy and ensure safe working practices in the performance of all duties.
• Uphold and promote the principles of the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy in all aspects of the role.
• Adhere to all other relevant Trust and school policies and procedures.
• Undertake any training and professional development necessary to effectively carry out the duties of the post.
• Perform any other reasonable duties commensurate with the level and responsibilities of the role, as required by the Trust.