Assistant SENDCO in Portishead

We view education as something bigger than just academic achievement. We have a record of considerable academic success but wholeheartedly believe that a student's education should be about preparing young people for their future lives in the complete sense, developing our young people's key skills and behaviours that set them up for a successful future pathway. As well as consistently strong outcomes at GCSE and A Level, we place great emphasis on the opportunities available to our students including developing student leadership across our student body, offering an unparalleled extra-curricular programme and ensuring clear guidance for students when considering progression to their next steps of their educational journey.

We pride ourselves on high-quality support for colleagues at all stages of their career through internal and external CPD, including our membership of the Lighthouse Schools Partnership, with staff involved in a range of developmental opportunities across schools in the Trust as well as supporting staff in bespoke training such as completing different levels of the NPQ programmes. We maintain significant involvement in Initial Teacher Training and deliver a comprehensive ECT induction in association with the Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance and Ambition Institute. Our very large staff body allows regular opportunities for progression into leadership roles at all levels.

Importantly, beyond the wider experiences on offer to our student body, we seek to be a very happy school community with a big heart. This has never been more evident than through our recent work in delivering our core principles of 'Dream big, do your best, give back', fostering a community filled with kindness and respect.

We are seeking to appoint an additional, part-time Assistant SENDCO who shares our vision of providing the best possible education for all of the children within our school, so that they become independent and effective lifelong learners. The role is offered on a minimum of 20 hours per week with flexibility to increase to 30 hours per week. The working pattern will be agreed with the line manager, but with the hours ideally worked over 3 or 4 days.

The right candidate will be committed to, and passionate about facilitating inclusive, equitable practice on a daily basis. They will work to match the needs of the student body with the most effective deployment of support, to secure the best possible outcomes for students. They will ensure that statutory requirements are fully considered when working with families, students and their additional needs.

The Assistant SENDCO will work within a well-established department including the SENDCO, Deputy SENDCO, Teachers of Learning Support and Student Support Workers. They will be able to effectively collaborate with all stakeholders, fostering excellent working relationships between staff, students and families.

It is important that applicants recognise the safeguarding responsibilities that all adults in schools hold, and the checks that are needed to allow all adults in school communities to work there. The role will involve contact with students in the school, and the successful applicant will need to fully understand, and undertake regular training updates on, our safeguarding protocols and how to report on these if needed.

• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral)
• Good level of ICT skills
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and manage priorities effectively
• Excellent attention to detail
• An understanding of the importance of confidentiality in a school environment

To be considered for this position you must:

• Have a passion and 'can-do' attitude for supporting the School
• Be inspired by a high-paced and dynamic working environment

Gordano School, part of the Lighthouse Schools Partnership, is a large and successful 11-18 comprehensive secondary school approximately eight miles outside Bristol. Our school includes a thriving Sixth Form of nearly 400 students that is strongly integrated into the life of the school and offers significant opportunities for sixth form teaching in over 30 courses. We are the sole secondary school serving the popular town of Portishead and benefit greatly from being a central part of our community.

Gordano School offers an excellent benefits package including contributory pension scheme, a comprehensive employee assistance programme and benefits (offering discounts on shopping), cycle to work scheme, discounted on-site gym membership and on-site parking.