John Rankin Schools are seeking to appoint a dedicated and experienced SEND Manager to lead and strategically develop SEND provision across the school. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and knowledgeable professional to make a significant impact on the lives of children and young people by ensuring high-quality inclusive practice and effective support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

About this Role

As SEND Manager, you will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of SEND provision across the school. You will work closely with school leaders, colleagues, families and external agencies to ensure students with SEND receive effective support, ambitious opportunities and high-quality provision that enables them to thrive both academically and personally.

The successful candidate will lead and co-ordinate statutory SEND processes, including EHCP applications, Annual Reviews and provision planning, while supporting colleagues to develop effective inclusive classroom practice. You will also contribute to wider school improvement priorities and work collaboratively with colleagues across Maiden Erlegh Trust to ensure consistency and excellence in SEND provision.

This role would suit an experienced SEND professional with strong leadership skills, excellent knowledge of SEND legislation and a passion for inclusive education.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and co-ordinate SEND provision across the school
• Advise school leaders on SEND legislation, policy and inclusive practice
• Ensure statutory SEND documentation and processes are completed accurately and within required timescales
• Support colleagues to deliver effective inclusive teaching and learning strategies
• Develop positive partnerships with parents, carers, external agencies and Local Authority representatives
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of SEND provision and interventions
• Support students’ wellbeing, engagement, attendance and progress
• Line manage and support SEND and support colleagues
• Contribute to Trust-wide SEND collaboration and development initiatives
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, Health and Safety and statutory responsibilities

 The Ideal Candidate

 We are looking for a professional who:

• Holds Qualified Teacher Status and a degree or equivalent qualification
• Has experience working with children and young people with SEND, including Autism and SEMH needs
• Has strong knowledge of SEND legislation, processes and inclusive practice
• Can lead, motivate and support colleagues effectively
• Demonstrates excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Is committed to achieving ambitious outcomes for all students
• Can build strong relationships with families, colleagues and external professionals
• Has experience of monitoring provision and using data to improve outcomes
• Holds, or is willing to work towards, the National Qualification for SENCO

 About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a family of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to provide high-quality education and opportunities for children and young people. We are committed to our values of aiming high, being inclusive and working together.

We invest in our colleagues through high-quality professional development, collaboration across our schools and a strong culture of support and wellbeing.

Our benefits include:

• Generous pension schemes
• Professional development and career progression opportunities
• Access to the Maiden Erlegh Institute professional learning programme
• Employee wellbeing support and benefits platform
• A collaborative and supportive working environment

 About John Rankin School

The school where you grow and learn. Our job is not to prepare learners for something; our job is to help learners prepare themselves for anything. Life always bring challenge – we will develop brave and resilient individuals prepared for any every-changing world. Our vision and values are at the core of everything we do. They underpin our teaching and learning and provide an environment which prepares our pupils as confident, happy citizens.

At the core of everything we do is our values, Courage, Creativity, Curiosity, Compassion and Composure.

 About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5,000 students across eleven schools, including primary, secondary, special and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We Aim High, Be Inclusive and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all through collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities and our annual MET Staff Conference, a day that brings colleagues together to share best practice and learn from one another.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise, playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

Further information about working with us, and insight from colleagues across the Trust, can be found here on our website.

Benefits of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust

Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including :

Pension Scheme – Generous employer contributions through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme

Annual Leave – Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service

ME Day – One additional day’s leave each year for a significant personal event

Professional Development – Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities

Hybrid Working – Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles

Perkbox – Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points

Wellbeing and Health – Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)

Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 support and discount schemes

Mental Health First Aid Support

Recognition and Community – Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET

Employee Referral Scheme

Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.

Additional Information

If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references