5 days remaining to apply

  • Start date details

    Easter start date Monday 13 April 2026

  • Closing date

    23 January 2026 at 11am

  • Date listed

    9 January 2026

Job details

Job role

  • SENDCo (special educational needs and disabilities coordinator)

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Working pattern

Full time

Contract type

Permanent

Full-time equivalent salary

£66,919.00 - £69,596.00 Annually (FTE) L13 TO L17

Assistant Principal - SENDCo job summary

To support the Principal and Deputy Principal and contribute to the overall leadership and management of the College and be active in promoting its aims and objectives to promote achievement, high standards and inclusivity.

This role will involve a major leadership function in Special Educational Needs as SENDCo for the College ensuring that it is managed effectively to meet the aims and objectives of the College and the legal requirements of the SENDCo Code of Practice.

The ideal candidate will be a confident, strategic leader with a deep understanding of SEND and a proven track record of improving outcomes. The National SENCO Award is essential.

We are looking for someone who:

  • Has substantial experience leading SEND provision at whole-school level

  • Can influence and support practice across all departments

  • Is committed to raising achievement for vulnerable pupils

  • Works effectively within the Senior Leadership team

  • Can lead cultural change, strengthen systems, and improve teaching for SEND learners

This role is ideal for a highly capable SENDCo ready for senior leadership, or an existing senior leader seeking a SEND-focused portfolio. The role will also include a timetabled teaching commitment of a minimum of 40% complying with the Teachers’ Standards and modelling best practice for others. They may also be required to undertake any of the duties delegated from the Principal.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and drive the strategic development of SEND provision

  • Contribute to whole-school leadership as a core member of SLT

  • Ensure full compliance with statutory SEND duties and the SEND Code of Practice

  • Oversee assessment, provision mapping, and progress monitoring

  • Line-manage and develop the SEND team, including TAs, HLTAs, and support staff

  • Deliver CPD and coaching to improve inclusive classroom practice

  • Lead on interventions, early identification, and support pathways

  • Build strong relationships with parents, carers, and external agencies

  • Support whole-school improvement in areas such as safeguarding, behaviour, attendance, and curriculum

Sir Harry Smith Community College is an 11-18 Academy, proud of its traditional values and innovative approaches to Teaching and Learning and its standards of discipline and respect. The College serves the market town of Whittlesey, seven miles outside of Peterborough in Cambridgeshire. The College is part of the Aspire Learning Trust working together with Park Lane and New Road Primary Schools, also in Whittlesey, to help every child achieve their full potential, to prepare them for their next educational steps, to teach them kindness and respect for all and to equip them to play a full satisfying role in society.

Applicants are thanked for their interest in Sir Harry Smith Community College. Please note that only candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted after the closing date.

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.
Visas cannot be sponsored.
If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

View advert on external website (opens in new tab)

About Sir Harry Smith Community College

School type
Academy, ages 11 to 18
Education phase
Secondary school
School size
1104 pupils enrolled
Age range
11 to 18
Ofsted report
View Ofsted report
School website
Sir Harry Smith Community College website
See more jobs
teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/sir-harry-smith-community-college

Secondary

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