SENDCo 0117 in Reading

Location: Tokers Green, Reading, Berkshire/Oxfordshire border

Contract Type: Part-time, Maternity Cover Fixed Term Contract until 30th April 2027

Hours: 24 hours per week

Salary: £32,916 - £47,472 p.a. (M1- UPS1) prorata

Start date: As soon as possible

About Aurora Rowan School

Opened in November 2024 in Tokers Green, Reading, Aurora Rowan School supports children aged 5–16 with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), moderate to severe learning needs, and associated challenges. As part of the Aurora Group, we are committed to creating a nurturing, inclusive environment where every child is valued and supported.

We are looking for team members who:

• Value and listen to children
• Promote positivity and mutual respect
• Communicate calmly and supportively
• Work closely with families and the wider community
• Understand the importance of love, security, creativity, and involvement in a child's development

Opportunity

We are currently looking to recruit an experienced SENDCo to join our team on a fixed term contract. Your role is to act as a member of the school leadership team and provide outstanding Special Education Needs (SEN) provision and oversight of the day-to-day operation of that policy with the aim of raising SEND student achievement.

All of our education is through play based learning that will always be guided by and built around each individual and their strengths, challenges, and interests, combining elements of different approaches and frameworks as appropriate.

Key accountabilities:

• Model a neuro-informed and neuro-affirmative approach and practice to all staff.
• Ensure that the school carries out its statutory responsibilities in accordance with each student EHCP and their defined SEND assessment.
• Overseeing the day-to-day operation of a school's special education policy.
• In relation to each student's EHCP and defined SEND assessment, coordinate and deploy the school's provision with regard to its policies, staffing and resources.
• Communicate with parents/carers, school employees, other agencies, and local authorities on the progress of students and the effectiveness of intervention and support strategies.
• Ensure that there is an integrated approach to the school's SEND provision generally and for specific students.
• Exercise a key role in advising and assisting the Head teacher with the strategic development of SEND policy and provision, including reviewing, and formulating policies.
• Liaise with the Pastoral lead to identify appropriate therapeutic support.
• Prepare information and carry out annual statutory reviews or specific case conferences.
• Promote best practice and contribute to the aims and ethos of the school through inset and CPD for new teachers.
• To keep abreast of developments in SEND (e.g., research, changes to the law) and inform SLT and Head where appropriate.
• To undertake any reasonable task requested by the Headteacher. This will include covering lessons operationally required to do so.
• Duties will vary, you must expect to diversify and lend a hand wherever is required.

Successful candidate qualities:

• PGCE, QTS, or equivalent teaching qualification and evidence of in-service training
• SENDCo qualification or experience of the role.
• Relevant knowledge and experience of students with SEND, especially experience of ASC and associated conditions.
• Have successfully implemented a range of interventions.
• Understanding of the Safeguarding principles and Child Protection procedures
• Experience of managing a range of approaches to behaviour.

How to apply:

For candidates that haven't worked in this sector before please be aware that for regulatory reasons the application process is far more detailed and thorough compared to other sectors. Please complete the online application form in full, including all employment and education details, and provide a personal statement that makes us keen to speak to you.

If you need any assistance or would like any more information, please contact Liz in the Aurora Group Recruitment Team.

Within Aurora we support teacher professional development by offering Upper Pay Scale both to teachers joining the company and through our internal professional development and performance management process.

To be offered a role on Upper Pay Scale we will expect you to:

• Provide evidence that you are already receiving an Upper Pay Scale salary.
• Hold specific allocated responsibility, once you have completed your induction, that contributes to whole school improvement including the overall raising of standards in the school and demonstrate their ongoing commitment to their own CPD.

Details of the relevant area of responsibility will be discussed with you at interview and further when you join the company.

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.