SENDCo in Reading

Job Location: The Grange School, Thatcham

Salary: £48,526.40pa based on working 40 hours per week, 39.2 weeks of the year.

Contract Type: Permanent – Term Time Only

Due to the internal promotion of our current SENDCo, we are on the search for a replacement to continue being an integral part of our school’s senior leadership team. This role is at the very heart of what we do—ensuring every child receives the support they need to thrive both academically and personally.

You’ll work closely with the Headteacher, supporting team members to achieve the highest standards of support and education for each pupil. You’ll collaborate with teachers to deliver effective interventions, engage directly with pupils to understand their needs, and build strong relationships with local authorities to secure resources and services.

Your impact will reach beyond the classroom, serving as a cornerstone of support for pupils, team members, and parents alike. By offering guidance, tailored training, and a reassuring presence, you’ll empower families to navigate their child’s educational journey with confidence. Through fostering collaborative partnerships, you’ll help parents understand and address their child’s unique needs while equipping them with the tools to support learning and development at home. Creating a strong, unified support system that maximises every child’s potential.

We’re looking for someone who is truly passionate about their work as a SENDCo—someone who understands the profound impact they can have on shaping lives. Your role will involve equipping teachers with the tools and strategies they need to succeed, while championing the potential of every pupil, creating an environment where everyone feels supported and valued.

This is your chance to be a breath of fresh air in our school community. You’ll have the opportunity to inspire, innovate, and lead by ensuring that every pupil receives the tailored support they deserve. If you’re ready to be at the forefront of change and make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

A day in the life of a SENDCo will involve:

• Fostering strong relationships with pupils, parents, teachers, and external professionals by maintaining open and effective communication.
• Actively engaging in meetings with stakeholders, the HeadTeacher and local authorities to ensure pupils' needs are prioritised and addressed.
• Providing guidance, coaching, and resources to teachers to enhance their classroom strategies, behaviour management, and curriculum planning.
• Working together to develop and implement meaningful, individualised learning plans for pupils.
• Offering training, advice, and consistent updates to parents, empowering them to support their children’s educational and emotional development effectively.
• Building trust and cooperation through regular, empathetic communication.
• Leading the development, implementation, and review of EHCPs to ensure pupils meet their educational and developmental goals.
• Conducting assessments and providing data-driven insights to improve outcomes.
• Promoting the school’s ethos by contributing to its development plan, implementing inclusive teaching strategies, and ensuring lessons are engaging and adaptable to all pupils' needs.
• Helping cultivate a safe, respectful, and stimulating learning environment.

To be a successful SENDCo you’ll need:

• A degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), with a solid understanding of the national curriculum (KS1-4), safeguarding procedures and Ofsted.
• Prior experience in SEND settings and a willingness to pursue further qualifications in SEND (if not already qualified).
• Strong expertise in working with children presenting with Autism, ADHD, and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).
• A deep understanding of effective teaching strategies and behaviour management for pupils with additional needs is crucial.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills to engage meaningfully with pupils, parents, team members, stakeholders and third parties.
• The ability to build and sustain effective partnerships to support holistic educational outcomes.
• A motivated, empathetic, and flexible mindset, aligned with the core values of Honesty, Empathy, Aspiration, Respect, and Teamwork.

In return for your time, you’ll get:

• Holidays – You’ll only work term time (39.2 weeks), and get paid the additional 12.8 weeks whilst you’re off.
• Pension scheme– Our pension scheme is based on you paying in 5%, and us adding 3%.
• Learning & Development Opportunities – We provide comprehensive learning opportunities for team members to develop themselves.
• Discounts – You’ll have access to brilliant discounts through the Blue Light Card and our own employee benefits platform.
• Wellbeing Support – Your wellbeing is always our priority. You’ll have access to mental health and wellbeing support.
• Cycle2Work - The cycle to work scheme enables you to buy a bicycle at a discounted rate.
• DBS – As this role requires you to have an enhanced DBS carried out, we will cover this cost.
• After 12 months service - You’ll be eligible for our Medicash scheme which covers a wide range of medical, health and wellbeing expenses (Including immediate access to a GP!). You’ll get life assurance paid at 2 x your annual salary, and even more high street discounts.

As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, successful applicants will undergo pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS, online and social media checks, and reference validation. Due to the nature of our work, we are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974), so we may ask you to disclose any spent or unspent criminal convictions during recruitment. This disclosure does not automatically disqualify you, and we encourage transparency at the application stage.

At Phoenix Learning and Care, we are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment where all team members feel safe to be themselves without risk of discrimination. We believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our organisation, and we strive to ensure everyone can contribute authentically and openly.