SENDCo

Are you a dedicated and visionary SENDCo ready to lead, inspire, and drive inclusive excellence across our primary school.

Icknield Primary School is seeking an exceptional SENDCo to take a pivotal role in shaping our strategic direction and driving high-quality inclusive practice across our school.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES CO-ORDINATOR

Believe, Achieve, Succeed

Post Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCo)

Pay range Main Pay Scale/ Upper Pay Scale

Allowance SEN Allowance + TLR

Contract Permanent, full time

About the role

Icknield Primary School is seeking a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator to lead and co-ordinate provision for our pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

This is a hands-on role. We are looking for someone who will know every child on our SEN register personally, understand their needs in detail, and track their progress closely and not limited to strategic oversight. The successful candidate will be visible across the primary school working alongside teachers and support staff to further develop core inclusive teaching practices.

We are looking for someone who

is a qualified teacher with the drive to improve outcomes for every child with SEND

will hold detailed knowledge of each child on the register and their needs

is confident managing Education, Health and Care Plans from referral through to annual review

can work in partnership with families, the local authority and other agencies

will lead, develop and support a skilled team of teaching assistants and specialist staff

holds the NPQ for SENCOs or the NASENCO, or is willing to complete the NPQ within three years of appointment

We can offer

a warm, inclusive school with a strong sense of community

the opportunity to be part of something unique to Icknield Primary School by working with the only specialist deaf provision in Luton

a TLR payment and an SEN allowance in addition to the Main Pay Scale

a committed and experienced support team

supportive leadership and genuine investment in professional development

Visits to the school are warmly encouraged. Please contact the school office on [phone removed] to arrange one.

SAFEGUARDING

Icknield Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check including a check of the children’s barred list, satisfactory references, online searches on shortlisted candidates and verification of professional qualifications and right to work in the UK. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

JOB DESCRIPTION

To lead and co-ordinate the school’s provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, so that every child identified as having SEND makes strong progress, is fully included in the life of the school, and is known individually by the person responsible for their provision.

To oversee the Icknield Deaf Provision and ensure that pupils placed there receive the specialist provision set out in their Education, Health and Care Plans.

To fulfil the statutory duties of the SEN Co-ordinator under the Children and Families Act 2014, the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice 2015.

Relationship with the Senior Leadership Team

The postholder attends Senior Leadership Team meetings as and when required, including whenever the agenda concerns special educational needs and disabilities, inclusion, the Deaf Provision, safeguarding of pupils with SEND, admissions, staffing or budget decisions affecting SEND provision.

The postholder reports to the Senior Leadership Team regularly on the progress and outcomes of pupils with SEND, the effectiveness of provision, and any matter requiring a leadership decision.

The SENDCo role is a statutory one. Regulations 49 and 50 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 require the SENCO to be a qualified teacher and to hold the mandatory qualification. From 1 September 2024 the National Professional Qualification for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators is the mandatory qualification, to be completed within three years of appointment. Holders of the National Award for SEN Co-ordination are not required to complete it.

Chapter 6 of the SEND Code of Practice 2015 sets out the responsibilities of the role, and this job description is written in accordance with it.

The post is remunerated on the Main Pay Scale in accordance with the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document and the school’s Pay Policy, together with the following allowances.

Work with the Headteacher and governing body to determine the strategic development of SEND policy and provision.

Keep the SEND Policy and the SEN Information Report under review and ensure both are published and accurate.

Contribute to the school development plan and ensure SEND priorities are fully reflected in it and actioned.

Advise the Headteacher and governing body on the deployment of the school’s delegated budget and other resources to meet pupils’ needs effectively.

Report to the Senior Leadership Team each term, and to the governing body, on the progress and outcomes of pupils with SEND and on the effectiveness of provision.

Attend Senior Leadership Team meetings as required and ensure that SEND is fully considered in decisions on curriculum, staffing, budget and admissions.

Ensure the school meets its duties under the Equality Act 2010, including the duty to make reasonable adjustments, and contribute to the Accessibility Plan.

Keep abreast of national developments in SEND policy, including reform of the system, and advise the school on their implications.

Maintain an accurate and current SEND register, developing a deep understanding of each pupil's unique profile and support needs.