We are looking to recruit a dedicated and enthusiastic Assistant SENCo who is passionate about supporting students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to achieve their full potential.

 The successful candidate will be an organised and reflective practitioner, able to work effectively as part of a team while also demonstrating initiative and leadership in key areas of SEND provision. They will be committed to inclusive practice, have strong interpersonal skills, and be confident in collaborating with staff, parents, and external professionals. A proactive approach, attention to detail, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of young people will be essential to succeed in this role.

 If you are interested in working in a school where the values ambition, respect, care, and honesty underpin all our work, and you believe you have skills that can enrich the lives of young people, please apply for this role. 

Academy Information

Todmorden High School is a large secondary academy in Todmorden. The academy is committed to creating a culture where all students and colleagues at all levels can feel proud of who they are and their achievements. In keeping with our values, we strive to create a school that celebrates difference. Ambition, Respect, Care and Honesty remain at the forefront of everything we do; we are trusted to do the right thing for each other, our students and the wider community.   

 The academy is a proud partner of the well-regarded and high-performing SHARE Multi-Academy Trust and is part of the Teaching School Hub for Kirklees and Calderdale. Todmorden High School provides staff with a wealth of support and a wide range of opportunities to collaborate, network, and share best practice. 

 Todmorden High School has a wonderful academy community and is a great place to work, where all team members play a vital role in making a positive impact on the life chances of others.

 The academy is proud to offer:

 ·         A supportive and ambitious environment where all students are encouraged to go beyond what they think they can achieve and to enjoy learning, helping them to lead successful, healthy and happy lives 

 ·         A vibrant place to work which equips staff to deliver their best every day, under the strong belief that Valuing People, Supporting Personal Best is the key 

 ·         A commitment that staff are happy, engaged and well supported at work, taking pride in students’ attendance, behaviour, progress and development as well as their own 

 ·         Excellent training and guidance relevant to individual job roles, so expectations are understood and staff are motivated

 ·         Great benefits, as an employer of choice, including outstanding CPD, supportive line management, and meaningful networking opportunities across the trust to aid personal development

 ·         Supportive leadership, encouraging healthy work-life balance 

 ·         A high-quality teaching and learning environment, alongside good facilities

-         A culture where children are happy, settled and confident, accessing a broad and balanced curriculum which provides a memorable educational experience for pupils and staff.  

The ideal candidate will:

• have a strong understanding of SEND, inclusive practice, and relevant legislation including the SEND Code of Practice (2015).
• show excellent organisational and administrative skills, including managing exam access arrangements and referral processes.
• have a commitment to promoting the ethos and values of the school and getting the best outcomes for all pupils.
• have experience of working with children or young people in a school setting.
• be committed to delivering high standards of work, supporting colleagues, and contributing to continuous improvement
• champion our values of Ambition, Respect, Care and Honesty

Overall Purpose of the Role

The Assistant SENCo will play a key role in supporting the strategic and operational leadership of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision, working closely with the SENCo to ensure that all students receive high-quality, inclusive education. The role focuses on enabling learners with SEND to make strong academic, social, and personal progress through effective teaching, targeted interventions, and collaborative working. The postholder will help ensure that provision is compliant with statutory guidance, including the SEND Code of Practice (2015), the Equality Act (2010), and JCQ examination regulations, while promoting a fully inclusive school environment that meets the diverse needs of all pupils.

Key Responsibilities

1. Contribute to providing a high-quality SEN support service and assist teachers in meeting their responsibility to help children with SEND make good progress.
2. Provide guidance for colleagues working within the SEN team and support the quality assurance of SEND department by conducting learning walks, work scrutiny and student voice.
3. Administration Exam Access Arrangements and Internal Assessments
4. Coordinate & facilitate our online ‘Next Steps’ referral process to include monitoring, maintaining the tracking spreadsheet, and identifying /allocating appropriate next steps.
5. Support the SENDCO in the consultation process to assess whether Todmorden High School can meet the needs of children with EHCP’s.
6. Conduct EHCP Annual Review meetings (including the preparation, write up and uploading of Annual Review Reports) for group of identified children.
7. Support SENDCo and pastoral team in completion of referrals to external agencies/ provision/assessment services, assisting in the completion of NDQs for neurodiverse assessments
8. Provide evidence to support parental DLA applications.
9. Liaise with educational specialists, nurses, psychologists, health and social care professionals, independent and voluntary bodies for reports, updates on student needs and support plans
10. To work collaboratively with the SENDCo in the communication with parents who raise concerns about SEND needs/provision, attending review meetings and recording /actioning what agreed including provision maps.
11. Support SENDCo to develop and implement the Assess, Plan, Do, Review (APDR) process for students without an EHCP who are identified as having significant needs.
12. Support SENDCo in the writing & development of ISP’s
13. Lead and coordinate review of pupil passports
14. Support the SENCo with KS3 and KS4 SEND transition, developing strong working relationships with local primary schools/post-16 provisions.
15. Ensure all relevant school records are kept up to date including arbor and CPOMS.
16. Support & work collaboratively with the SENDCo with line management of TA’s where appropriate.
17. Work alongside safeguarding, attendance and pastoral teams to support the needs of children with SEND
18. To undertake any other duties associated with the role, as may be decided by your line manager or the Headteacher.

 Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from the Headteacher to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description. 

Person Specification

Essential

Qualifications and Training

·         Level 3 or above qualifications including GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above)

·         Relevant experience in a school or educational setting, particularly supporting SEND provision.

Skills and Knowledge

High levels of literacy, including the ability to produce clear accurate reports, documentation and professional communications.

Strong knowledge of SEND processes, or the ability to quickly develop understanding of:

• SEND Code of Practice (2015).

• Graduated approach (Assess-Plan-Do-Review).

• Exam Access Arrangements requirements (e.g. JCQ regulations).

Proficiency in a range of computer programs and data systems, including:

• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

• Tracking systems and spreadsheets.

• Online platforms (e.g. SharePoint or similar systems).

Ability to analyse, manage and maintain accurate data, including tracking referrals, assessments and access arrangements.

Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple processes (e.g. testing schedules, referrals, documentation)

Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to:

• Liaise effectively with staff, parents and external agencies.

• Present information clearly and professionally.

Ability to maintain accurate and compliant records in line with statutory requirements.

Experience

·         Experience of working with children or young people, particularly those with SEND.

·         Experience of administration, record keeping or data management.

·         Experience of working collaboratively within a team.

Personal Qualities

·         High levels of professionalism and confidentiality.

·         Strong attention to detail.

·         Ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines.

·         Commitment to inclusive practice and supporting pupil outcomes.

·         Adaptability and resilience in a busy school environment.

Desirable

Qualifications and Training

·         Degree level qualification (desirable, not essential).

·         Additional SEND-related training (e.g. dyslexia, autism, access arrangements).

·         Training or accreditation linked to exam access arrangements or testing.

Skills and Knowledge

·         Working knowledge of specific assessment tools (e.g. NGRT, Exact or similar).

·         Familiarity with exam board processes and documentation.

·         Understanding of multi-agency working and referral pathways.

·         Experience using specialist SEND or school MIS systems.

Experience

·         Experience supporting exam access arrangements or internal assessments.

·         Experience contributing to ISP/APDR documentation or pupil passports.

·         Experience liaising with external agencies (e.g. Educational Psychologists, SEND services).

·         Experience supporting parents/carers with processes such as referrals or applications.

Personal Qualities

·         Initiative to improve systems and processes.

·         Confidence to support and guide colleagues.

·         Commitment to ongoing professional development in SEND.