SENCO Fixed Term Maternity Cover in Brownhills

Reporting to: Assistant Headteacher (SEND Strategic Lead). Responsible for: Provision for SEND students.

Main purpose: The SENCO, under the direction of the headteacher, will be responsible for day-to-day operation of the SEND policy and co-ordination of specific provision to support individual students with SEND or a disability.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional guidance to colleagues, working closely with staff, parents and other agencies.
• The SENCO will be expected to fulfil the responsibilities of a teacher, as set out in the STPCD.
• Strategic development of SEND policy and provision:

• Make sure the SEN policy is put into practice and its objectives are reflected in the school improvement plan (SIP).
• 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 students 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 students' 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 students with SEN or a disability.
• Implement and lead intervention groups for students with SEN, and evaluate their effectiveness.

• Identify a student's SEN.
• Co-ordinate provision that meets the student's needs, and monitor its effectiveness.
• Secure relevant services for the student.
• Ensure records are maintained and kept up to date.
• Review the education, health and care plan (EHCP) with parents or carers and the student.
• Communicate regularly with parents or carers.
• Ensure if the student transfers to another school, all relevant information is conveyed to it, and support a smooth transition for the student.
• Promote the student's inclusion in the school community and access to the curriculum, facilities and extra-curricular activities.
• Work with the designated teacher for looked-after children, where a looked-after student has SEN or a Disability.

• Work with the Assistant Headteacher, headteacher and governors 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 school improvement plan 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 students with SEN or a disability.
• Lead and manage teaching assistants (TAs) working with students with SEN or a disability.
• Lead staff appraisals and produce appraisal reports.
• Review staff performance on an ongoing basis.

• The SENCO 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 SENCO will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the headteacher.

We encourage you to visit to see the department and meet the team having read the full application pack. This position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check (formerly CRB) under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Further details regarding this check are available from the school or by visiting www.crb.gov.uk.

At Shire Oak Academy, we will invest in you and support you to reach your potential. As a school we are only as good as the people we work with and to ensure that we get the best from our young people, we need to make sure that we also get the best from our staff. Relationships matter and this is at the heart of what we do every day in our school and as one of 12 schools within the Mercian Trust. Shire Oak Academy is not the easier school to work in currently, but we encourage you to visit to see we are far more than our most recent Ofsted report. We have a new Leadership Team, led by experienced Headteacher Matthew Everett and we would welcome applications from those wishing to join us on the exciting journey that Shire Oak is currently on. We are a community secondary school in Walsall Wood and proud of our inclusivity. Our ethos is built upon #BeIncredible and we accept that young people are going to make mistakes, but through positive interactions and support we will help to ensure that they fall less often and can reflect and learn from their mistakes and #BeIncredible in all that they do. Through our House System, and form tutors, we provide the care and support that is needed for all individuals and their families, including healthy competition. Everyone within the academy is expected to be an active member of their house, students and staff alike! As well as offering a knowledge rich curriculum, which includes the full spectrum of creative subjects, we also offer an extensive enrichment and extra-curricular programme. Our drama shows are as good as what you would see in the local theatres, our sports teams are committed and driven taking part in local and regional competitions, and our wide array of trips provide awe and wonder for our young people. If there is an opportunity to improve the cultural capital of our young people, we will always be open to ideas. The design of our building is unique, a huge campus at the highest point in Walsall with incredible views and huge open spaces, with top of the range facilities, including sport, technology and photography spaces. Come and see what Shire Oak Academy has to offer, you'll be pleasantly surprised.