Assistant Headteacher: Leader of Education Support (SENCO)
Backwell School, Bristol, BS48 3BXThis job expired on 16 April 2023 – see similar jobs
Job start date
1 September 2023
Closing date
16 April 2023 at 11:59pm
Date listed
27 March 2023
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
- Deputy headteacher
- Assistant headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Working pattern
- Full time: 32.5
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £58,105 - £64,224
What skills and experience we're looking for
We're seeking to appoint a talented, enthusiastic and highly motivated SENCO who shares our vision of providing the best possible education for all of the children within our school so that they become independent and effective lifelong learners. The right candidate will have a passion for learning and supporting others to make progress, regardless of their needs, ability or background.
The role of SENCO will require strategic planning, matching the needs of the student body with the most effective support as well as ensuring national and regional policy is implemented in line with best practice. The SENCO role will supplement a well-established department and will manage a team of circa 16 Teaching Assistants. You will be able to effectively lead the team, work closely with all stakeholders and ensure that statutory requirements are fully considered when working with families, students and their additional needs.
Our SENCO is also a member of our School Leadership Team (SLT) as an Assistant Headteacher. Dependent on the strengths, and interests, of the successful candidate an additional school-wide responsibility/area to lead on will be part of this position.
To be considered, you must have:
- Qualified Teacher Status
- SENCO qualification, or the willingness to do so
- Secondary school experience working very effectively with students with SEND
- Experience as a successful team leader and manager
- Ability to foster and maintain good relationships and work effectively with school stakeholders and external agencies
- Good knowledge of current educational thinking and developments, including excellent working knowledge of school responsibilities under the SEN code of Practice, The Equality Act (2010) and the Children and Families Act (2014)
- Experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of evidence-based SEND provision
- A personal commitment to high quality and excellence that will match and extend the school’s proven record
- Excellent ICT, organisational and communication skills
What the school offers its staff
Backwell School is a large comprehensive school with almost 1700 students of which 300 are in the Sixth Form. Judged by Ofsted as Good in January 2020 the school has an excellent reputation in the local area and is oversubscribed in regards to student applications. Our latest Ofsted report can be read here.
Backwell School offers its staff a vibrant and stimulating teaching environment and there is a broad range of professional support available for new members of staff both within the department and in the wider school. At Backwell School, we prioritise staff wellbeing; planning time is generous with full time teachers teaching a maximum of 51 lessons out of 60.
We also provide a fantastic benefits package to our employees including a contributory pension scheme, a broad employee assistance programme and benefits (offering discounts on shopping), cycle to work scheme, free access to our fitness suite and on-site parking.
Backwell School is part of the Lighthouse Schools Partnership (LSP) which provides opportunities to share best practice and gain support from the Director of Inclusion. The LSP also offers us curriculum collaboration and opportunities with Chew Valley, Churchill and Gordano School and a Trust-wide Professional Development Team organising a wide range of staff training and development.
We are committed to providing a comprehensive education for all our young people and this ethos is summarised in the Backwell School Charter.
Further details about the role
Before making an application candidates are asked to match their qualifications, experience, skills and abilities against the criteria listed on the job and person specification below.
You are welcome to contact the Head’s PA ecapel-davies@backwellschool.net to arrange an informal phone conversation, or possible visit, prior to your application if you so wish. We are also happy to arrange an online meeting for candidates based outside the local area who wish to know more about the school and the role. Please be assured that all shortlisted candidates will be given the opportunity to look around the school as part of the interview process.
The closing date for applications is 11.59pm on Sunday 16 April 2023.
Commitment to safeguarding
The Lighthouse Schools Partnership - Backwell School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all in its community to share this commitment. Suitability to work with children and young people will form part of the selection process. As part of the shortlisting process an online search will be carried out. All appointments will be subject to vetting, including an enhanced DBS check.
We are also committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, particularly those from underrepresented groups.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Backwell School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 1630 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Backwell School website
- Email address
- recruitment@backwellschool.net
Backwell School is a large, vibrant, very popular mixed comprehensive school situated in Backwell, North Somerset, about 6 miles south of Bristol. We have a long-standing reputation for combining academic success for students of all abilities with a fully rounded and enriching educational experience. In 2008 and again in 2013 both the school and the Sixth Form were rated as “outstanding” by Ofsted.
Backwell School became an academy in 2011 and joined the Lighthouse Schools Partnership (LSP) multi-academy trust in January 2018. The LSP currently consists of two other large local secondary school as well as many primary schools in the local area. We have strong links with colleagues in the Trust which allows us to create CPD, collaboration and information sharing opportunities. For many years, Backwell has placed great importance on providing high quality teacher training and professional development. It became a Training School in 2003 and a Teaching School in 2012, leading the North Somerset Teaching Alliance.
Backwell School is situated in an attractive semi-rural location to the south of Bristol. Backwell itself is a village with a strong sense of community and the school is located next door to the leisure centre with swimming pool. Other nearby towns include Nailsea, Yatton and Portishead (listed in the top 10 suburbs in the UK) and staff live in locations such as these or in Bristol itself. The South West is a beautiful part of the world with excellent links to London and the North. Devon, Cornwall and Wales are within easy reach and Bristol Airport is only 3 miles from Backwell.
School location
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