At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance SEND provision, ensuring all pupils achieve academic excellence.
- Company: Dynamic academy within a forward-thinking multi-academy trust.
- Benefits: Professional development opportunities and a supportive working environment.
- Other info: Located in Hillingdon with excellent transport links and a vibrant community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives by overcoming educational barriers.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status and SEND leadership qualification required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
CORE PURPOSE
We require an ambitious, strategically minded SENDCo to lead and elevate our special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision. The role involves managing the operational and strategic direction of learning support, ensuring that all pupils with diverse learning profiles overcome educational barriers and achieve absolute academic excellence within a highly supportive environment.
KEY TASKS & DAILY OPERATIONS
- Strategic Provision Mapping: Design, implement, and audit comprehensive individual education plans (IEPs) and learning support maps, ensuring targeted, evidence-based adjustments are seamlessly integrated into standard classroom teaching.
- Specialist Assessment & Diagnostics: Conduct internal screening and diagnostic assessments for learning differences (such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD), translating clinical findings into actionable teaching strategies for academic staff.
- Access Arrangements Oversight: Collaborate with the examinations officer to coordinate and secure formal access arrangements for external assessments, ensuring strict compliance with Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) regulations.
- Faculty Collaboration & Coaching: Deliver internal professional development sessions to classroom teachers, upskilling academic staff on adaptive teaching methodologies, neurodiversity inclusion, and high-impact differentiation.
- Multi-Agency Stakeholder Relations: Act as the primary liaison between the school, parents, the Hillingdon local authority, and healthcare professionals, fostering transparent, highly collaborative partnerships to support pupil wellbeing and academic growth.
ENVIRONMENT & STRUCTURE
- Academy Framework: Operating within a forward-thinking multi-academy trust, our academy benefits from centralised operational support, collaborative network planning, and robust professional development pathways designed to accelerate teacher and leadership growth.
- Behaviour Systems: The campus implements highly consistent, school-wide behaviour routines that maintain a quiet, respectful, and orderly atmosphere, ensuring classrooms and learning support spaces remain entirely calm, predictable, and focused on scholarly achievement.
PROFILE REQUIREMENTS
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) paired with the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCO) or the equivalent updated national SEND leadership qualification. A relevant post-graduate qualification in specialist assessment (e.g., APC or Level 7 certificate in educational testing) is highly desirable.
- Leadership Experience: A proven track record of managing learning support departments, coordinating access arrangements, and successfully steering statutory assessment processes within a secondary or all-through school setting.
- Expertise in Inclusivity: Deep knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and an ability to translate legislative updates into practical, everyday institutional frameworks.
REGIONAL CONTEXT
- Aviation & Suburban Gateway: Based in the London Borough of Hillingdon, the school operates within a unique outer-London district that hosts Heathrow Airport and extensive logistical frameworks alongside leafy suburban green spaces and a thriving local economy.
- Connectivity: The location offers premier West London transit infrastructure, providing efficient commuting options via key trunk networks (M4, M25, and A40 corridors) alongside comprehensive transport networks including the Piccadilly and Metropolitan lines, local bus links, and rapid Elizabeth Line rail connections running smoothly out to Berkshire and central London.
APPLICATION INTAKE
Please submit your current CV to begin the application process.
SENDCo | Academy | Hillingdon employer: Marchant Recruitment
As a SENDCo at our academy in Hillingdon, you will join a forward-thinking multi-academy trust that prioritises professional development and collaborative growth. Our supportive work culture fosters inclusivity and innovation, ensuring that you have the resources and opportunities to excel in your role while making a meaningful impact on the lives of students with diverse learning needs. With excellent transport links and a vibrant local community, this position offers not just a job, but a rewarding career path in education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SENDCo | Academy | Hillingdon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the academy through LinkedIn or local education events. A friendly chat can give us insider info on the school culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in SEND education. We want to show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the field. Bring some fresh ideas to the table!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Grab a friend or family member and do a mock interview. This will help us articulate our thoughts clearly and boost our confidence before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email can keep us on their radar and show our enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a nice touch that they’ll appreciate!
We think you need these skills to ace SENDCo | Academy | Hillingdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the SENDCo role. Highlight your qualifications, experience, and any specific achievements that align with the key tasks mentioned in the job description. We want to see how you can elevate our SEND provision!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:In your application, emphasise your leadership experience in managing learning support departments. Share examples of how you've successfully coordinated access arrangements or led professional development sessions. We love seeing real-life impacts!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively, just like you’ll need to do in the role!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marchant Recruitment
✨Know Your SEND Code of Practice
Make sure you’re well-versed in the SEND Code of Practice. Brush up on how it applies to your potential role and be ready to discuss how you would implement its principles in a school setting. This shows you’re not just familiar with the guidelines but can also translate them into actionable strategies.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical situations related to SEND provision. Think about specific examples from your past experience where you successfully managed learning support or collaborated with teachers. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a SENDCo, leadership is key. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in managing teams or leading initiatives. Highlight any professional development sessions you've delivered and how they impacted teaching practices. This will demonstrate your capability to elevate the SEND provision effectively.
✨Engage with Multi-Agency Collaboration
Familiarise yourself with the importance of working with various stakeholders, including parents and local authorities. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve successfully built partnerships in the past. This will show your understanding of the collaborative nature of the role and your commitment to pupil wellbeing.
