SENCo

Do you have experience supporting children with SEN? Harris Primary Academy Orpington is seeking to appoint an exceptional, experienced qualified teacher as SENCO.

About Us

Our aim is to provide our pupils with a well-rounded and enjoyable education that ensures each child succeeds academically, physically and emotionally - preparing them for life in an ever-changing world. We have identified six shared values, which we develop with the children throughout the academic year: Respect, Unity, Cooperation, Aspiration, Responsibility and Integrity.

They are our foundations and we have a clear expectation that all adults as well as children and staff model and respect these values both inside and outside the academy. These foundations have enabled us to build high quality, inspiring education for our children. This is reflected in both the exceptional day to day practice here as well as the improving outcomes our children have achieved in each year.

Our knowledge rich curriculum has been designed to challenge and inspire the children; exposing them to a wide variety of exciting experiences including visits, events, sports, music and drama but also time to reflect and respond. As a result, our children develop excellent behaviour and social skills while they learn.

We are extremely proud to be part of the Harris Federation which combines 50 primary, secondary and all-through academies across London. As part of a thriving community of schools we benefit from the ability to share, learn, support and challenge each other as we grow together.

Main Areas of Responsibility

The purpose of your role will be:

• To play a key role within the Academy to ensure that all pupils with additional needs make accelerated progress in their learning and achieve to the very best of their ability.
• To directly contribute to pupils' accelerated progress through high quality sustained teaching of intervention support based upon a detailed knowledge of their specific needs.
• To have high expectations, lead by example, promoting the federation/academy vision, values and aims.
• To be a member of the School Leadership Team (SLT) and contribute to the strategic development and direction of the academy in line with the Academy Improvement Plan.
• To provide leadership and direction in supporting meeting the needs of children with SEND.
• To take a lead role in monitoring and school self-evaluation regarding children with SEND.
• To provide guidance and support to the support staff to achieve and maintain a good quality of provision for pupils with SEND.
• To analyse assessment data from a variety of sources to inform future whole school planning and resourcing.
• To assist the SLT in undertaking delegated professional duties.

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Qualified Teacher Status
• National Award for SEN Coordination
• Evidence of ongoing professional development; attendance on courses, INSET, action research, personal study etc. with clear impact indicators
• Commitment to continuing professional development as necessary to develop role
• Experience of successful leadership and management within a school
• Proven track record of achieving outstanding pupil progress for teams of children
• Ability to contribute to professional leadership and management of a staff team and contribute to the work of other teams to secure high quality teaching, effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all pupils across the school
• Experience of using data and data analysis to drive up standards
• Clear knowledge and experience in all issues relating to the safeguarding of children

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.