Special Educational Needs Coordinator

Upton Court Grammar School is an inclusive school that has 1166 students on roll, 62 of whom currently need additional support. We have 5 students with EHCPs who are supported intensively by the inclusion team consisting of one SENCo and three Teaching Assistants. The school puts the needs of the students at the heart of everything we do and we deliver an ongoing range of interventions to ensure our students’ needs are met. The SENCo works closely with the Trust Inclusion Lead to draw on a range of external services that we access from the Local Offer and beyond.

We are looking to appoint an exceptional SENCO to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity for either an ECT or someone wishing to further develop their career.

The SENCo role will have just under 30% non-contact time to fulfil the responsibilities required for the role. We have a preference for a subject specialist and would consider applications from any subject.

If you don't hold the NPQ for SENCO qualification, we will support you in getting this.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of exceptional teaching and offer a variety of extra-curricular activities for our students. The successful candidate must be able to contribute to the department’s aim of providing the highest standards of student achievement in Key Stage three, four and Sixth Form.

The successful candidate will: 

• Have a willingness to extend and develop their knowledge;  
• Have willingness and experience of teaching at A level;
• Have a collaborative approach to teaching with the ability to deliver the subject through a variety of innovative ways; 
• Be inspiring, dynamic and passionate about teaching;
• Identify and promote extracurricular opportunities for all students;
• Promote the ethos and values of the school and the Trust.

Furthermore, Upton Court Grammar School seeks to:   

• become a world-class school, seen as a centre of excellence and creativity in learning and teaching;   
• equip students with the ability to articulate their ideas with confidence in an increasingly competitive international work environment.

The most recent OFSTED inspection in November 2022 graded the school as ‘Outstanding’ in all areas. The school has a national reputation for excellence and achievement and is consistently ranked in the top 1% of schools in the country for student progress. 

We provide a first class CPDL programme which supports the professional development of teachers at all stages in their careers including teachers new to the profession and leadership development. In line with the values to invest and collaborate, Pioneer Educational Trust provides additional time for professional development and collaborative working in the form of CPDL Wednesdays. On these days, the pupils finish their school day one hour earlier to facilitate two hours of back-to-back learning and team work for all staff, teaching and non-teaching. During this time, colleagues have time to produce collaborative planning, moderate, share best practice as well as receive formalised programmes of CPDL.

The school is changing rapidly, in many ways. This will doubtless continue as the needs of society and our context change too. It is never dull, often challenging, demanding in the best possible way - an exciting and extraordinarily worth-while and fulfilling place to be.

Our ethos is to ‘recruit for attitude, train for skill’! Pioneer Educational Trust seeks to invest intelligently, inspire collaboration and pioneer so that all learners in our family of schools have equal access to an exceptional education. Our mission is grounded on four core values which our schools embrace:   

• we pioneer: by preparing the way for others to follow, we transcend barriers through aspiration, merit and risk. Pioneer engenders determination, commitment and responsibility to better society through education and learning, never accepting mediocrity   
• we inspire collaboration: we believe in working in partnership. In a culture of high trust and intelligent risk-taking, collaboration exists at all levels and between all stakeholders   
• we invest intelligently: by providing high-quality professional development for all staff and a positive and enriching work environment. We provide high support and challenge that enables all colleagues to flourish   
• We consciously liberate: providing equal access to an exceptional education to all is central to the aims of the trust. The trust champions the vulnerable and disadvantaged, breaking down barriers to learning and preparing all children and young people for adulthood. We drive equality, celebrate diversity and promote equity, inclusion and belonging.

We believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results. We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

This means that when we are recruiting, we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates. It also means that we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working.

We welcome applications from disabled and ethnic minority backgrounds as these people are currently under-represented throughout Pioneer Educational Trust. We also welcome applications from, LGB and Trans and non-binary candidates.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we commit to employing disabled people by offering an interview to all disabled candidates who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role as set out in our job descriptions and person specifications.

We are a Flexible Working Ambassador MAT and Schools for the Department for Education, we are happy to discuss any flexible working requests with you. 

Pioneer Educational Trust reserves the right to interview for all positions as suitable applications are received.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This post is subject to satisfactory references, Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check (previously CRB check), and evidence of essential qualifications and proof of legal working in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996.