Nore Academy is a SEN school that opened on the Isle of Sheppey in January 2025. We support young people aged 11-16 with a primary need of SEMH and other related areas of SEN such as ASC and communication difficulties. We have been steadily growing our numbers and the commissioned amount for 2026-2027 is 120.Estuary Academy Island is our Alternative provision which opened in September 2024 and is collocated with Nore Academy to provide up to 40 students with a broad and balanced curriculum offering to support students who cannot access mainstream education.

While each school has its own identity and provision, they are united by a shared purpose—to provide high-quality, inclusive education for young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, removing barriers to learning and enabling every learner to succeed.​

Across both schools, our work is guided by the core values of the Trust: community, love, flourish, and social justice. These values are lived out daily in how we build relationships, support one another, and champion the rights and potential of every young person in our care. We believe in the strength of community to bring people together, the importance of love in every interaction, the expectation that all can flourish given the right support, and a deep commitment to fairness and social justice for all learners and families.​

We are seeking an experienced SENCO who has ideally worked within specialist provisions or who has a developed understanding of SEMH and working with a high volume of students with EHCPs. We value the role of the SENCO and recognise its central importance in shaping an inclusive, high-quality educational experience for all pupils. This position will form part of the school’s Strategic Leadership Group, ensuring that SEND provision is fully integrated into whole-school development and priorities, and that it has a direct and influential voice in informing the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

To reflect the significance and scope of this role, the SENCO will have a substantially reduced teaching commitment. This will enable them to lead, coordinate, and evaluate SEND provision effectively, work strategically with staff and external partners, and ensure that all pupils with additional needs receive the support required to thrive.

As SENCO, you will work with the Deputy Headteacher to support the inclusion strategy across both provisions and operationally oversee annual reviews, children’s progress towards outcomes and ensure compliance. You will work closely with staff, families, and external agencies to ensure every pupil receives tailored, high-quality support that enables them to thrive.

The Trust / Nore Academy can offer you:

• An organisation with a clear moral purpose to change young people’s lives.

• A commitment to support you, in developing new skills through a wide range of professional development opportunities and experiences.

• The opportunity to work with a dedicated passionate team of professionals.

• Access to our 24/7 employee assistance scheme.

• Term-time hours and flexible working.

• Additional paid week leave in October for wellbeing purposes.

• Five Year Service award for Support Staff.

• Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme.

• Eye care reimbursement.

• Eligibility to discount schemes such as Blue Light.

Safeguarding Statement 

Alternative Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. 

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a Declaration of Offences form to confirm their criminal record or other information that may make them unsuitable to work with children. It is an offence for an individual with certain criminal convictions to attempt to engage in regulated activity (working with children).

This appointment is subject to pre-employment checks including an enhanced DBS check, teaching prohibited checks (if applicable), Section 128 check (if applicable), ID and right to work check, medical screening and confirmation of qualifications and references. We will conduct online searches on shortlisted candidates for information that is publicly available.

Copies of Alternative Learning Trust’s/ Nore Academy Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be found on the Trust/Nore Academy website.

Further questions

If you have any further questions, please contact our HR Officer HR@Noreacademy.co.uk

We have the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.