Job Title:           SENCo

Employment Status:       Permanent, full-time

Actual Salary:           TMS – UPS with SEN Allowance £2,787

Required:          September 2026

                                                          Location:              Frederick Bird Academy

About the role

This role is an opportunity to lead and shape high‑quality SEND provision across the school. We are looking for someone who is passionate about inclusion and committed to ensuring every child receives the support they need to thrive. You will shape the strategic direction of SEND across the school, oversee high‑quality provision, and work closely with staff, families, and external agencies to secure strong outcomes for pupils with additional needs. Alongside leading practice, you will model excellent teaching, champion positive behaviour for learning, and help create an inclusive, ambitious environment where all children feel valued and able to succeed. We are looking for someone who:

• Has Qualified Teacher Status
• Has a SENCO qualification - NPQ for SENCOs or NASENCO
• Is dedicated to our vision that all children are entitled to a first-class education.
• Has experience of promoting positive behaviour conductive to learning and which is focused on raising standards.
• Possesses a genuine belief that all children are equal and celebrates the diversity in our school communities.

All staff are expected to know what to do if they have concerns about a child, take on the responsibility for providing a safe environment and promoting children’s welfare, undertake regular safeguarding and child protection training and, familiarise themselves with KCSIE part 1 and local policies and procedures as directed by the trust/academy.

About us

Frederick Bird Academy is a proud member of the Inspire Education Trust, a ‘family’ of like-minded schools, which collaborate to provide mutual support, share good practice and learn from each other whilst retaining their own distinctive character.

We are a large primary school of just over 800 children serving the Hillfields area of Coventry. Our team of dedicated, hardworking and skilled staff are committed to ensuring that our children achieve excellence and enjoyment in all that they do. In promoting a culture of aspiration and achievement, we aim to provide a high-quality education that prepares our children for their next step and beyond, as well as equip them to meet the challenges of a changing society.

Our vibrant community is celebrated and reflected in our curriculum offer which provides children with a wide range of memorable experiences and values their individuality and heritage. All children regardless of disability, race religion, belief or gender are encouraged to reach their full potential, uphold British values and embrace the rich cultural diversity of our community.

We are a truly inclusive school and expect the highest standards of learning, behaviour and attendance from our children. Through our partnerships with parents, we aim for all children to be the best learners they can be.

Why work for us?

A career at Inspire Education Trust offers a rewarding future, with the opportunity to make a real impact on the lives and outcomes of our young people. We work hard to provide an environment which places staff wellbeing at the forefront of the agenda, as well as providing ample opportunities for personal and professional development.

As such, we offer a portfolio of benefits designed to enhance and support the working lives of our staff. These include, but are not limited to:

•       A highly supportive and committed senior leadership team

•       Employee Assistance Programme which offers 24/7 confidential advice and support on a range of matters and free access to accredited counsellors

•       A focus on staff wellbeing including a network of wellbeing champions and a supportive working environment

•       Opportunity to join a committed and forward-thinking team of staff

•       Employee Benefits platform providing staff access to a range of benefits such as shopping discounts

How to apply:

All applications must be received electronically via our My New Term page:   https://www.ietrust.org/vacancies/

If you have any queries about the post, or to arrange a school visit, please email Emma Cafferty - Office Manager admin@frederickbird.coventry.sch.uk

Closing date: Wednesday 18^th March 2026

Interview date:  Monday 23^rd March 2026

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and appointments will be subject to rigorous safeguarding checks including enhanced DBS and references. The postholder must share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted will be asked to complete a self-declaration to confirm any (non-protected) criminal disclosures or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children.

The post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Which means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

We aim to recruit the very best staff and welcome those from all backgrounds, communities and faiths (including non-faith individuals). Inspire Education Trust is clear about its responsibilities in embracing diversity and ensuring we recruit people of a high calibre based on their skills, abilities, and experience. As such, we welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates.

The role of SENCO will be classed as regulated activity. Any offer of employment will be conditional until satisfactory completion of all mandatory pre-employment checks. It is an offence to apply for this role if barred from engaging in regulating activity relevant to children.

Following recommendations from Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) for an additional pre-employment check, with the effect of 1^st September 2022, please note an online search may form part of this recruitment process.