Special educational needs co-ordinator (SENDCo) Employer: St Mary's Catholic Primary School Reference: SCH/26/335600

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School is looking for an experienced Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENDCo) to join our school. This position is for someone who is passionate about ensuring a fully inclusive environment for all children and is committed to raising educational attainment for children with SEND. The successful candidate will be an integral part of our leadership team with the ability to inspire and motivate, and share their knowledge and expertise in supporting our staff and parental community.

Main purpose of the job:

• The SENDCo, under the direction of the Headteacher, will work with the Assistant Headteacher to determine the strategic development of special educational needs (SEN) policy and provision in the school.
• Be responsible for day-to-day operation of the SEN policy and coordination of specific provision to support individual pupils with SEN or a disability.
• Provide professional guidance to colleagues, working closely with staff, parents and other agencies.

The SENDCo will be expected to fulfil the responsibilities of a teacher, as set out in the STPCD. While the SENDCo will have responsibility for the oversight of provision for pupils with SEN or a disability, class teachers will hold responsibility for the day-to-day education and support of pupils within their classroom.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Strategic development of SEN policy and provision:

• Have a strategic overview of provision for pupils with SEN or a disability across the school, monitoring and reviewing the quality of provision.
• Contribute to school self-evaluation, particularly with respect to provision for pupils with SEN or a disability.
• Make sure the SEN policy is put into practice and its objectives are reflected in the School Development Plan (SDP).
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of national and local initiatives that may affect the school’s policy and practice.
• Evaluate whether funding is being used effectively, and suggest changes to make use of funding more effective.

• Maintain an accurate SEND register and provision map.
• Provide guidance to colleagues on teaching pupils with SEN or a disability, and advise on the graduated approach to SEN support.
• Advise on the use of the school’s budget and other resources to meet pupils’ needs effectively, including staff deployment.
• Be aware of the provision in the local offer.
• Work with early years providers, other schools, educational psychologists, health and social care professionals and other external agencies.
• Be a key point of contact for external agencies, especially the local authority (LA).
• Analyse assessment data for pupils with SEN or a disability.
• Implement and lead intervention groups for pupils with SEN, and evaluate their effectiveness.

• Identify a pupil’s SEN.
• Coordinate provision that meets the pupil’s needs, and monitor its effectiveness.
• Secure relevant services for the pupil.
• Ensure records are maintained and kept up to date.
• Review the education, health and care plan (EHCP) with parents or carers and the pupil.
• Communicate regularly with parents/carers.
• Ensure if the pupil transfers to another school, all relevant information is conveyed to that school, and support a smooth transition for the pupil.
• Promote the pupil’s inclusion in the school community and access to the curriculum, facilities and extra-curricular activities.
• Be responsible for looked-after pupils who have SEN or a disability.

• Work with the headteacher, governors and Assistant Headteacher of Inclusion to ensure the school meets its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 in terms of reasonable adjustments and access arrangements.
• Prepare and review information the governing board is required to publish.
• Contribute to the SDP and whole-school policy.
• Identify training needs for staff and how to meet these needs.
• Lead INSET for staff.
• Share procedural information, such as the school’s SEN policy.
• Promote an ethos and culture that supports the school’s SEN policy and promotes good outcomes for pupils with SEN or a disability.
• Lead and manage teaching assistants (TAs) working with pupils with SEN or a disability.
• Lead staff appraisals and produce appraisal reports.
• Review staff performance on an ongoing basis.
• Liaise and collaborate with the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) on matters of safeguarding and welfare for pupils with SEN.
• Remain alert to the fact that pupils with SEN may be more vulnerable to safeguarding challenges.

The SENDCo will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and follow school policies and the staff code of conduct. Please note that this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the SENDCo will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the Headteacher.

Person specification - CRITERIA QUALITIES

• Qualifications and training:

• Degree.
• Qualified teacher status.
• Successful teaching experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• National Award for SEN Coordination, or a willingness to complete it within 3 years of appointment.

• Teaching experience within EYFS and Key Stage 1.
• Reviewing and leading annual EHCP reviews.
• Working with and providing support to pre-verbal children.
• Working at a whole-school level.
• Involvement in self-evaluation and development planning.
• Conducting training/leading INSET.
• Line managing support staff.
• Working with external agencies and Local Authority teams such as SALT and Advisory Teachers.

• Sound knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice.
• Knowledge of EYFS curriculum.
• Knowledge of applying for Education Health and Care Plans.
• Understanding of what makes ‘quality first’ teaching, and of effective intervention strategies.
• Ability to plan and evaluate interventions.
• Data analysis skills and the ability to use data to inform provision planning.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.
• Ability to influence and negotiate.
• Good record-keeping skills.

• Commitment to getting the best outcomes for pupils and promoting the ethos and values of the school.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and securing good outcomes for pupils with SEN or a disability.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively.
• Commitment to always maintaining confidentiality.
• Commitment to safeguarding and equality.

Please apply online. Closing date for applications: Monday 11th May 2026 at 12:00 noon. Shortlisting: Tuesday 12th May 2026. Interviews to be held: Week commencing Monday 18th May 2026.