Deputy SENCo in Taunton

We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Deputy SENCO to support the leadership and management of our SEND provision. In this pivotal role, you will be working alongside 2 experienced Deputy SENCOs and an experienced SENCO, ensuring high-quality learning support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), helping to drive excellence in teaching, resource use, and student outcomes.

You will play a key part in meeting the individual needs of designated students, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and delivering measurable improvements in both academic attainment and personal development. As Deputy SENCO, you will also take on leadership responsibilities in the SENCO’s absence, contributing to a culture of inclusion and achievement across the Academy.

You will have:

• A strong understanding of SEND legislation, the SEND Code of Practice, and current educational policies, with a commitment to staying informed of developments in the field.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to convey complex information clearly and build effective relationships with students, staff, parents/carers, and external agencies.
• Proven experience supporting students with SEND and additional needs, including planning and evaluating interventions and working collaboratively with families and professionals.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to manage data, use school MIS systems, and support the effective deployment of resources.
• Emotional intelligence, resilience, and a caring approach, with the ability to remain calm under pressure and make sound decisions in challenging situations.
• A proactive approach to equality, diversity, and safeguarding, ensuring that all students feel safe, respected, and supported in their learning journey.
• The ability to lead and inspire others, including deputising for the SENCO when required and contributing to the strategic development of SEND provision across the Academy.

About Monkton Wood Academy: Monkton Wood Academy is an 11-18 school located in Monkton Heathfield, near Taunton. We are currently going through a period of change and rapid improvement as we seek to make Monkton Wood a place of academic excellence, where children can progress and thrive. We are developing a culture of high expectations and mutual respect, where students and staff can be successful in our roles and become the best possible version of ourselves. Monkton Wood has long been proud of its strong connections with the local community; our parents and our partners at the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre are highly engaged in school life. It is incredibly important to us that our students develop a strong sense of belonging and confidence in their own ability to achieve well and to go on to serve their community.

What we can offer you:

• Access to a generous pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Generous annual leave.
• A comprehensive induction and ongoing commitment to wellbeing and career progression, through a range of training, apprenticeships and in-role/wider-trust development opportunities.
• Well-being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
• A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.
• Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on-site parking plus many more!

We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters and so encourage applications from underrepresented and global majority groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

Additional Information: As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process please let us know how we can assist.