Job Title: Assistant Headteacher / SENDCO
Location: Tonkers Green, Reading, Berkshire
Salary: £47,185 - £50,807 (L1 – L4)
Hours: 40 hours per week -- Monday to Friday - Permanent

We’re currently looking to recruit an Assistant Headteacher/SENDCo to join a brand new specialist provision due to open in Berkshire November 2024, supporting young people aged 6 -16 with a diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorder, moderate to Severe Learning needs and associated difficulties, who require an individualised, specialist approach.

The role:

As Assistant Head / SENDCO you will be working alongside the Head of School in all aspects of leadership and management and to take responsibility for managing and developing learning and teaching, curriculum, careers & work experience, assessment and enrichment throughout the designated phases of the school. You will take a central role in assisting the Head of School to develop the school in accordance with its shared values and our school development plan. And to develop the schools Special Education Needs (SEN) provision and oversight of the day-to-day operation of that policy with the aim of raising SEN pupil achievement.

Key Duties

• To play a key role in the overall smooth running of the school.
• To lead by example of his/her practice, and by positively encouraging, coaching and mentoring support the training and development for all members of the team.
• Promote best practice and contribute to the aims and ethos of the school through inset and CPD for new teachers.
• To work with the Head of School to ensure that the school offers a high quality, exciting, engaging, well resourced, differentiated and well matched curriculum for all children.
• To act as Exam Officer for the site, working with subject teachers to ensure examinations and accreditation processes are in place and that JCQ requirements are met.
• To oversee high quality Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance and work with the wider school team to deliver a Careers Framework that supports KS3-4 pupils on their pathway to adulthood.
• Ensure that the school carries out its statutory responsibilities in accordance with each pupil EHCP and their defined SEND assessment.
• Oversee the day-to day operation of a school’s special education policy.
• In relation to each pupil’s EHCP and defined SEND assessment, coordinate and deploy the school’s provision with regard to its policies, staffing and resources.
• Communicate with parents/carers, school employees, other agencies, and local authorities on the progress of pupils and the effectiveness of intervention and support strategies.
• Ensure that there is an integrated approach to schools SEN provision generally and for specific pupils, incorporating the deployment of staff, including therapist, resources, strategies and the types of support and intervention.
• Exercise a key role in advising and assisting the Head teacher with the strategic development of SEN policy and provision, including reviewing, and formulating policies.
• Carry out safeguarding duties as required.
• Lead and manage the school’s therapy offer.
• Prepare information and carry out annual statutory reviews or specific case conferences.
• To keep abreast of developments in SEN (e.g., research, changes to the law) and inform SLT and Head where appropriate.
• To lead in a curriculum area across all Surrey Schools
• To develop positive relationships within the school, within the Surrey Schools and the wider Team and externally, which support the running and developing of the school towards and sustaining outstanding.

Why should you apply?

You want to make a difference in the lives of our students and their families.

You relish the opportunity to lead on a specific curriculum area, such as CE/IAG across all our Surrey Schools

You want to contribute to our broad and creative curriculum offer.

You want to work with an inspiring student population.

You enjoy working as part of a collaborative and committed multi-disciplinary team.

You have a strong commitment to student and staff well-being and want to work in an organisation with the same strong values.

You want to work within an organisation that support, develops and invests in their staff.

Experience /Qualifications:

• QTS or QTLS is essential.
• Accredited training in specific areas of special education, e.g. Autism, Dyslexia etc is desirable.
• Management/leadership qualification is desirable.
• NPQSL/H/SENDCo or willingness to achieve within 2 years
• Essential Experience
• Proven track record of excellent creative and structured teaching within relevant key stages and/or special needs environment.
• Experience of holding responsibility for and turning policy into effective and successful practice.
• Leadership of a significant area or phase or inclusion, including responsibility for raising standards across the whole school.
• Effective team management and working collaboratively and effectively with others.
• Communicating effectively to a wide range of different audiences though a range of different mediums.
• Successful management of complex scenarios and conflict resolution
• Effective relationships working successfully with a range of external agencies

Benefits:

Life assurance

Teachers' Pension

Perkbox - offering high street discounts

Employee assistance programme

Car lease scheme

Fully funded training and qualifications

Bike to work scheme

Free membership to our Health cash back plan - Claim back money on services such as dental, optical, physio and many more.