Deputy Headteacher/SENCo - Maternity Cover in Welwyn Garden City

This role is line-managed by the Headteacher working in partnership with the Local School Committee to:

• Assist the Headteacher with the management and organisation of the school in seeking to achieve the highest standards of pupil achievement and school efficiency.
• Work with the Headteacher to develop and promote the vision, mission, values and core purpose of the school.
• Establish the strategies through which they are to be achieved.
• Manage staff and resources towards their achievement.
• Monitor progress towards their achievement.
• Lead, manage and oversee the strategic and day-to-day operation of the school SEND policy in line with the SEND Code of Practice.
• Liaise with the Headteacher to assist in the leadership, organisation and management of the school.
• Deputise for the Headteacher in their absence.
• Lead key aspects of the development of the school including behaviour, mental health and wellbeing.

Shaping the future

• Ensure the vision for the school is clearly articulated, shared, understood and acted upon effectively by all.
• Motivate and work with others to create a shared culture and positive climate.
• Work with individual staff and teams to translate the school vision into agreed objectives and operational plans which will promote and sustain school improvement.
• Contribute to the School Development Plan by identifying appropriate priorities and targets which ensure pupils make progress and achieve high standards, are safe and enjoy their learning and work.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

• Lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection (including online safety and understanding the filtering and monitoring systems and processes in place).
• Provide advice and support to other staff on child welfare, safeguarding and child protection matters.
• Take part in strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings, and/or support other staff to do so, and contribute to the assessment of children.
• Fulfil the requirements of the current Keeping Children Safe in Education Annex C.

Leading teaching and learning

• Be an excellent role model to all teaching staff within the school and reflect a high level of professional practice in all aspects.
• Demonstrate and articulate high expectations.
• Monitor and evaluate classroom practice to identify improvement priorities.
• Analyse and interpret school data to inform classroom practice across the school.
• Take overall responsibility for the co-ordination of teaching support and monitoring the quality and standards of teaching and learning for pupils with SEND.
• Encourage good working practices and provide leadership, direction and support to both teaching and support staff.
• Ensure the effective transition of pupils new to the school and for those going to new settings, communicating with other SENCos to ensure continuity and progression.

Developing self and working with others

• Manage positive working relationships with all staff.
• Motivate and challenge all staff to maintain high expectations of learning and behaviour.
• Develop and maintain effective strategies and procedures for staff induction, professional development and performance review.
• Provide support to all staff, including but not limited to trainees, ECTs, supply teachers, teachers and teaching assistants.
• Collaborate and work with colleagues and other relevant professionals within and beyond the school.

Managing the School

• Assist in managing the day-to-day organisation of the school.
• Implement evidence-based school development plans and policies for the organisation and its facilities.
• Ensure that policies and practices take account of national and local policies and initiatives.
• Assist in co-ordinating, facilitating and monitoring Continuing Professional Development throughout the school in line with identified school improvement priorities.
• Produce and co-ordinate timetables throughout the school.
• Assist the Headteacher in developing systems that support positive behaviour.
• Direct, supervise and provide support to support staff assigned to them and, where appropriate, other teachers.
• Contribute to the recruitment selection appointment and professional development of other teachers and support staff.

Securing accountability

• Manage staff roles and ensure that responsibilities are clearly defined, understood and agreed.
• Work with the Local School Committee to enable them to meet their statutory responsibilities.
• Present the school's performance and other school initiatives to a range of audiences; parents, Local School Committee members, school improvement officers and other external agencies.
• Monitor quality and standards of resources delegated to them.

Strengthening the community

• Work with other agencies to ensure learning experiences and opportunities for pupils are integrated into the wider community.
• Build the reputation of the school with the wider community.
• Create and maintain partnerships with parents and carers to support and improve pupils' achievement and personal development.
• Support the school by regular attendance at fundraising and social events for pupils and families.

Safeguarding

• Work with the Headteacher to ensure that the child protection policies and procedures are fully implemented and followed by all staff.
• Ensure that sufficient resources and time are allocated to enable staff to discharge their child protection related responsibilities effectively.

Additionally

• Deputise for the Headteacher in the event of their absence.
• Undertake such tasks as may be reasonably required by the Headteacher for the benefit of the school, subject to consultation.
• Contribute to and support the overall aims and ethos of the Trust, and provide best outcomes for pupils.

This job description will be reviewed at least annually as part of your Performance development programme. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and staff and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; all applicants must declare even "spent" convictions and cautions as this role could involve working with a vulnerable group. Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Check. Please note that we are required to carry out social media checks on all candidates who are invited for interview. It is our policy to consider applications as they arrive; we therefore recommend that applicants submit applications as soon as possible as posts may be filled before the closing dates.