Job Title: SENDCO

Location: Portsmouth, PO1 4PN

Salary: L1-L2 up to £49,081 (depending on experience) + potential relocation allowance of up to £3,000

Contract: Permanent, full time

Start date: April 2024, or as soon as reasonably possible

Reporting to: Head of school

Closing date: Monday 15th January 2023, 9am.

Interview date: Week commencing 15th January 2023.

We will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this advert may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. Early application is strongly encouraged.

We are looking for a passionate SENDCo to further develop our SEN provision within the school and join our highly committed senior leadership team.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced, or aspiring, SENDCo to fully support the Head of School and be part of a supportive and highly ambitious senior leadership team of Ark Dickens Primary Academy. You will be a teacher who has passion, enthusiasm, alongside the skills and desire to develop and nurture every child in their care. We also welcome applications from practitioners with a background of working in SEN settings.

In this non-class based role, you will be responsible for continuing the development of our strong SEND provision across the school as well as contributing to overall leadership. As our SENDCo you will take responsibility for the day-to-day provision for pupils with SEND and provide professional guidance in the area of SEND across the academy.

You will be part of our senior leadership team communicating with subject leads and teaching staff to meet the needs of our SEN pupils & ensure they are able to make rapid progress in line with the academy’s expectations.

Ideal candidates will have:

A minimum of two years teaching experience and hold QTS

The National Award for SEN Co-ordination

Experience of working with children with Special Needs

Thorough knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice

The ability to lead staff in developing their knowledge and expertise in working with SEND children

Skilful in working with pupils with a range of different abilities and needs – SEND, LAC, Pupil Premium, EAL, Mental Health

To work effectively with the Head of School and SLT to achieve excellence

The ability to support and overview the work of teaching assistants working with SEND children.

Good communication skills and an ability to work within a team

Good management and organisational skills and experience of leading/managing other staff.

The necessary communication skills enabling liaison with a variety of external agencies

View the full job description and person specification here: Job Description & Person Specification.pdf

About our school:

Ark Dickens Primary Academy in Portsmouth is a two-form entry primary academy, which became part of the Ark network in September 2014.

We aspire for all our children to have the academic knowledge necessary to enable them to progress to university. We want our pupils to have a love of learning and curiosity about the world, and for them to be polite, well-mannered young people who take responsibility for their choices and drive their own destinies.

We have a strong and clear vision with an engaging curriculum which develops and celebrates the potential of each child.

Learn more about us by visiting https://arkdickensprimary.org/.

We offer:

Excellent working school environment where staff are happy, positive and dedicated.

Opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the network

Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.

Twice as many training days as standard.

Generous pension scheme.

Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers

Interest-free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle.

Gym discounts – offering up to 40%.

Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer.

How to apply:

To apply, please visit our website via the button below.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this advert may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. Early application is strongly advised.

If you wish to discuss this opportunity or for any questions, please contact Ann Dyson, Operations Support Manager on 023 92826514 to discuss the role further.

For any technical issues, please contact our system support team by clicking the chat function on the bottom right of the advert screen.

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link.

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link.