Assistant SENCO

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!

Job Title:           Assistant SENCO

Location:         The Greater Horseshoe School, Heathfield

Salary:            Up to £28,000.00 per annum depending on experience and qualifications

Hours:            40.5 hours per week, Mon/Wed/Thur/Fr 8:30am-4:30pm, Tue 8:30am-5pm

Contract:         Permanent, Term Time only

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for an Assistant SENCO to join our close-knit team at The Greater Horseshoe School, part of Acorn Education.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Assistant SENCO to join our fantastic team at The Greater Horseshoe School in Heathfield, Devon. 

Duties & responsibilities:

• To model and endorse an inclusive and needs centred learning experience. 
• To assist in the oversight of SEN and its implementation across the school.
• To deputise in the absence of the SENCO
• To provide support, advice and guidance to colleagues in meeting student needs. 
• To partake in the writing and monitoring of key SEN documents including EHC Plans, Rights for Pupils and professional reports.
• To partake in and attend training required specifically to the SENCO role. 
• To play a full part in the life of the school’s community, to support its vision and ethos and to be a good role model for all pupils.
• To be responsible under the direction of the SENCO in undertaking relevant paperwork to a high standard.
• To communicate with parents, carers, staff and other stakeholders in terms of supporting individual pupils.
• To provide support to staff to ensure positive outcomes for pupils. 
• To meet teacher standards and provide an outstanding example to other teachers and staff members. 
• To work with the school therapy team to implement and deliver a seamless multi-disciplinary provision for young people with SEN.
• Work as a team member and identify opportunities for working with colleagues and sharing the development of effective practice with them. 
• To work closely with the SENCO as the Designated Teacher for Looked After Pupils and Previously Looked After Pupils, ensuring all paperwork is completed in a timely manner.
• To liaise with SENCo to co-ordinate the programme of Annual Reviews for all students within school 
• To ensure Student Profiles, and personalised targets of key students are reviewed, Annual Review Reports are prepared and any reports completed.

Highly desirable:

• Previous experience of working in an SEN environment
• SENCO qualification

About Us

The Greater Horseshoe School is an independent special school for pupils aged 8 to 18 years old. The school is situated in a peaceful woodland setting near Newton Abbot in Devon.

Our school facilities are complemented by our nearby care farm, where we offer animal care, horticulture and a wide range of outdoor educational activities alongside academic and vocational programmes.

We are committed to providing the best education for young people with complex needs. We offer a unique tailored programme for every pupil, combining a therapeutic approach, outdoor learning and individual academic and vocational programmes to suit each young person. Everything that we do is based on thoroughly understanding the needs of our students and how we can best support them in achieving positive outcomes.

Our approach is caring, positive and adaptable, and is underpinned by a thorough theoretical knowledge. Our staff come from relevant educational and therapeutic backgrounds and have extensive experience of supporting young people with a range of needs.

We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career. 

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education? 

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy.

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