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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Academy's SEND initiatives and ensure compliance with educational standards.
- Company: Join Harris Academy Merton, where we prioritize student achievement and holistic education.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives while fostering an inclusive culture.
- Qualifications: QTS or equivalent, strong teaching experience, and a passion for student development required.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a collaborative team atmosphere await you.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Main Areas of Responsibility
The purpose of your role will be:
- To ensure that Academy practice is compliant with the SEND Code of Practice (2014) and other relevant statutory requirements
- To work with the Academy Leadership team ensuring an ethos of Inclusion within the Academy and a culture of high aspirations for students with SEND
- To work with the Academy Leadership team ensuring the implementation of the Academy SEND Policy
- To ensure that the provision of SEND support is in accordance with the aims of the Academy and curricular policies
- To be responsible for maintaining an accurate and up-to-date Academy SEND Profile
- To be responsible for the accurate identification of SEND need across the Academy, ensuring a rigorous and thorough assessment process
- To be a role model with regard to Quality First Teaching and differentiation within your own teaching practice
- To be responsible for the embedding of Quality First Teaching across the Academy
- To be responsible for the Academy SEND Offer, ensuring high quality targeted interventions enabling students with SEND to make better progress
- In consultation with the Academy Leadership Team, to provide a programme of professional development with regard to SEND, that ensures all staff have the knowledge, skills and understanding to plan teaching and learning effectively and enable students with SEND to make expected progress
- To be responsible for tracking the progress of students with SEND, using a wide range of Academy data relating to progress, attainment, referrals, exclusions, detentions and attendance to identify barriers to learning
- To deploy staff and resources according to the needs of SEND students
- To write a termly report to the Governing body on progress and developments
Qualifications & Experience
We would like to hear from you if you have:
- QTS (or equivalent) and a good undergraduate degree
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development relevant to the SENCO role or willingness to undertake this training.
- Knowledge and understanding of national priorities, current curriculum development and an ability to design and implement an innovate curriculum based on students’ needs
- A thorough understanding of quality assurance techniques
- An appreciation of student motivation
- An understanding of how professional development contributes to the raising of quality
- SEN experience in a secondary school
- Evidence of successful teaching experience
- Evidence of pastoral experience
- Experience of working with key stakeholders such as parents, governors, employers etc
For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.
Professional Development & Benefits
Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.
In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.
About Us
At Harris Academy Merton we promote the ethos ‘’Achievement is Success’’ and believe every student has the right to the highest standard of education so that they can accomplish their aspirations. Our aim is to give every student an educational experience that is enjoyable and holistic so that they develop into responsible, articulate and successful young people.
We combine the traditional values of strong discipline, good manners, respect and pride in appearance with contemporary best practice in teaching and technology. With these core values embedded, we develop our students into confident and capable individuals that have a desire to excel academically and personally now and in the future.
SENCO employer: Harris Academy Merton
Contact Detail:
Harris Academy Merton Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SENCO
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the SEND Code of Practice (2014) and other relevant statutory requirements. Understanding these guidelines will not only help you in your role but also demonstrate your commitment to compliance during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience in implementing Quality First Teaching and differentiation strategies. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully supported students with SEND in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including parents and governors. Share instances where you've effectively communicated and built relationships to support students' needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your approach to professional development in relation to SEND. Think about how you can contribute to training staff and fostering a culture of inclusion within the Academy.
We think you need these skills to ace SENCO
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the SENCO position. Understand the key responsibilities and qualifications required, as this will help you tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your teaching experience, particularly any roles that involved working with students with SEND. Provide specific examples of how you've implemented inclusive practices or supported students with diverse needs.
Showcase Professional Development: Mention any continuing professional development (CPD) courses or training related to special educational needs that you have completed. If you are willing to undertake further training, express this in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Craft a personalized cover letter that reflects your understanding of the Academy's ethos and values. Discuss how your vision aligns with their commitment to high aspirations for students with SEND and how you can contribute to their culture of inclusion.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harris Academy Merton
✨Understand the SEND Code of Practice
Make sure you are well-versed in the SEND Code of Practice (2014) and can discuss how it influences your approach to inclusion. Be prepared to give examples of how you've implemented these guidelines in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience working with leadership teams to foster an inclusive environment. Discuss specific strategies you've used to promote high aspirations for students with SEND and how you plan to continue this at Harris Academy Merton.
✨Demonstrate Quality First Teaching
Be ready to explain what Quality First Teaching means to you and how you have applied it in your teaching practice. Provide examples of differentiation techniques you've used to support students with diverse needs.
✨Prepare for Data-Driven Discussions
Familiarize yourself with how to track and analyze student progress using various data points. Be prepared to discuss how you've identified barriers to learning in the past and the interventions you've implemented to overcome them.
