At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop SEND provision, making a real difference in students' lives.
- Company: Join a passionate team at Park School, part of Acorn Education.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week with full pay, plus excellent health and wellbeing perks.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education for vulnerable pupils and inspire positive change.
- Qualifications: NPQ SENCo qualification and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive environment with great career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 46200 - 66000 ÂŁ per year.
How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four? At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance â and weâre putting wellbeing first. Thatâs why weâre proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.
Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW â and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether itâs already in place or just around the corner, nowâs the perfect time to join #teamOFG.
Location: Park School, Chipping Norton, OX7 5QH
Salary: Up to ÂŁ55,000 per annum, depending on experience (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8:30am - 4:30pm
Contract: Permanent, Term-Time Only
Start: April 2026
UK applicants only â this role does not offer sponsorship
Are you an experienced Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) ready to make a real difference in the lives of young people? Park School is looking for a passionate, innovative, and committed professional to lead and develop our SEND provision.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and dedicated SENCo to join our newly established Acorn Education School â Park School. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping a high-quality SEND provision from the ground up, ensuring that our pupils receive the support they need to thrive.
As SENCo, you will work closely with the Headteacher and the therapy team to lead the strategic development of the schoolâs SEND policy and provision. You will provide expert professional guidance to colleagues, ensuring that pupils with additional needs benefit from high-quality teaching, effective interventions and a consistent, graduated approach to support. Collaboration is central to this role; you will work with teaching staff, parents, external agencies and multi-disciplinary teams to develop personalised strategies that meet the needs of our learners.
A core part of the role involves leading on the use of differentiated teaching methods, overseeing SEND assessment processes, and ensuring that every pupilâs provision aligns with statutory requirements. You will support pupils with a range of complex communication needs, autism and associated learning and emotional needsâmaking a tangible impact on their development, confidence and long-term outcomes.
You will join a highly committed and experienced team who are passionate about transforming the lives of vulnerable pupils. This role offers the opportunity to contribute significantly to the strategic and operational leadership of the school, particularly regarding the Quality of Education.
Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking an outstanding, innovative and aspirational SENCo who is committed to delivering an exceptional SEND provision. The successful candidate will:
- Provide strong strategic leadership of SEND across the school
- NPQ SENCo qualification
- Demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills
- Lead and inspire staff teams, promoting a culture of high expectations and accountability
- Show commitment to inclusion, equality of opportunity and the highest standards of pupil support
- Be solution-focused, proactive and determined in turning strategy into successful practice
As a key member of the Leadership Team, you will influence the school's direction and help ensure excellent outcomes for all learners.
About us
Park School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 7 to 18, catering for pupils with a wide range of social, emotional and mental health needs. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life.
We pride ourselves in steering pupils in the right direction, nurturing aspiration to progress them both academically and socially to encourage them to take pride in their achievements. Socially, we build confidence in our students, so they are able to have a greater understanding of the wider community in which they live.
We are part of Acorn Education and can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UKâs leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a âGreat Place to Workâ for the sixth year running.
Why join Acorn Education?
We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so youâll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so youâll get an exceptional reward package including:
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
- âYour Wellbeing Mattersâ â access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
- And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package thatâs right for you, including:
- A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
- 100âs of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
- Cycle to Work Schemes
- Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Youâll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
SENCo in Chipping Norton employer: Outcomes First Group
Contact Detail:
Outcomes First Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land SENCo in Chipping Norton
â¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who work with special educational needs. They might know about openings or can put in a good word for you.
â¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school and its SEND provision. Show them youâre not just passionate but also knowledgeable about their specific needs and how you can contribute.
â¨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions for SENCo roles. Think about your experiences and how they align with the job descriptionâthis will help you articulate your fit for the role.
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace SENCo in Chipping Norton
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the SENCo role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for supporting young people shine through! Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles, especially in SEND settings.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This helps us see your strengths quickly!
Apply Through Our Website: Donât forget to submit your application through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure it gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Outcomes First Group
â¨Know Your Stuff
Make sure youâre well-versed in the latest SEND policies and practices. Brush up on your knowledge about the specific needs of the pupils you'll be working with, as well as the strategic goals of Park School. This will show that you're not just passionate but also informed.
â¨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a SENCo, youâll need to lead and inspire others. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or initiatives in the past. Think about times when youâve implemented effective strategies or made a positive impact on pupil outcomes.
â¨Be Ready to Collaborate
Collaboration is key in this role. Be prepared to discuss how youâve worked with teachers, parents, and external agencies in the past. Highlight your communication skills and your ability to build strong relationships to ensure the best support for pupils.
â¨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, donât forget to ask insightful questions. Inquire about the schoolâs vision for SEND provision or how they measure success in their programmes. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if itâs the right fit for you.