Job Description
Responsible to:
Head of Primary / Secondary School
Teaching Allocation: 50% timetable
Purpose of the Role
The SENCO provides strategic leadership and operational management of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision across the school, while maintaining a 50% teaching commitment. The role ensures early identification, effective intervention, inclusive practice, and high-quality support to enable all students with additional needs to make strong progress.
Key Responsibilities – Strategic Leadership of SEND
- Lead and coordinate the school’s SEND provision in line with statutory requirements and school policy.
- Develop, implement and review the SEND policy and improvement priorities.
- Maintain an accurate SEND register and oversee compliance documentation.
- Advise SLT on inclusive practice and whole-school provision.
Identification, Assessment & Provision
- Coordinate initial assessments and screening for students with emerging needs.
- Analyse assessment data to identify barriers to learning and appropriate interventions.
- Lead the development, implementation and review of Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
- Ensure IEP targets are specific, measurable and regularly reviewed with staff and parents.
- Coordinate referrals to and liaison with external specialists and agencies where required.
Quality of Teaching & Intervention (Wave 1 & Wave 2)
- Monitor and develop high-quality Wave 1 (inclusive classroom teaching) provision.
- Oversee and evaluate targeted Wave 2 interventions for impact and effectiveness.
- Track progress of students with SEND and adjust provision accordingly.
- Ensure reasonable adjustments and access arrangements are effectively implemented.
Staff Professional Learning & Development
- Deliver professional development and training to teaching and support staff on SEND and inclusive strategies.
- Provide coaching and practical guidance to teachers on differentiation and adaptive teaching.
- Promote evidence-informed approaches to intervention and inclusion.
Parental & Student Engagement
- Build positive partnerships with parents through regular communication and review meetings.
- Ensure student voice is incorporated into IEPs and support planning.
- Provide clear guidance to families regarding support pathways and external services.
Teaching Responsibilities (50%)
- Deliver high-quality teaching within allocated subject/phase.
- Model inclusive and adaptive teaching strategies.
- Contribute to curriculum development and assessment practices within the teaching area.
Monitoring, Reporting & Compliance
- Maintain accurate SEND records and provision mapping.
- Contribute to whole-school reporting and self-evaluation related to inclusion.
- Support examination access arrangements and compliance processes where applicable.
- Ensure safeguarding procedures are followed in relation to vulnerable students.
Person Specification
- Recognised Teaching Qualification
- Recognised SENCO qualification (or working towards).
- Strong understanding of inclusive pedagogy and intervention strategies.
- Experience writing and reviewing IEPs.
- Excellent communication, organisational and leadership skills.
- Commitment to inclusive education and student wellbeing.
ISP Principles
Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding
and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.
Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.
Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.
Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.
ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles
ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.
ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.