Deputy SENCO

Westfield Academy, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 6NS

2 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  Easter 2025

• Closing date

  14 March 2025 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  25 February 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Pastoral, health and welfare
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time, full time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full-time equivalent salary: Scale: MPS Point: Dependent on qualifications and experience & TLR 2B (Currently £5,568 24-25 Scales)

Deputy SENCO job summary

Job description

Job title:	Deputy SENCo
Start Date:	Easter 25
Grade:	Scale: MPS Point: Dependent on qualifications and experience
TLR:	TLR 2B (Currently £5,568 24-25 Scales)
Hours / weeks:	Part time 0.6/0.8 (Full time contract negotiable)
Contract type:	Fixed Term 1 Year
Reports to:	SENCo
Responsible for:	At least 6 x Learning Support Assistants (LSA)

Job purpose

• To assist in managing the provision for students identified as having Special Educational Needs (SEN); including promoting high quality teaching, effective use of resources, and high standards of learning and achievement for all students.

• Assisting in leading the work of the SEN team.

Line management responsibilities

• To line manage and complete the appraisal process for at least 6 x LSAs as directed by the SENCO and Headteacher.

• Promote teamwork and to motivate staff to ensure effective working relations.

• Advise, contribute and, where appropriate, coordinate the professional development of staff to increase their effectiveness in responding to pupils’ with SEND

Main responsibilities

• To deputise for the SENCO in matters relating to SEN, as and when appropriate

• To support the SENCO in leading the provision for SEND within school.

• Support the process of access arrangements in collaboration with the Examinations Officer and SENCO, ensuring compliance with JCQ regulations.

• Respond to consultation letters within the statutory timeline, following the Code of Practice as directed by the SENCO.

• To manage appropriate resources for SEND and Learning Support and ensure that they are used efficiently, effectively and safely.

• To support the SENCO in managing the implementation of an inclusive curriculum delivery.

• Within the context of the academy’s aims and policies, work with the SENCO to develop and deliver in intervention groups and support.

• To provide all those with involvement in SEND, the support, information and development necessary to sustain motivation and secure improvement in learning.

• To support the learning of students as allocated by the SENCO and in coordination with the Heads of Year.

• To manage and maintain provision maps and student provision plans.

• Ensure that the academy meets all our statutory and legal duties in relation to students with Special Educational needs.

• To support the SENCO with the application of Educational Health Care plan Needs assessments.

• Ensure the school complies with Section F of all students' EHCPs

• To support the achievement and progress of all SEND students

• To support the attendance of students with SEND.

• Raise awareness of the needs of SEND pupils within the classroom

• Provide support and training to trainees and newly qualified teachers in relation to pupils with SEND

• Liaise with other agencies and professionals as appropriate

Other Duties

• Ensuring that accurate and detailed records are kept of meetings and discussions with 4 and outside agencies.

• Ensuring that staff are kept informed of students’ needs and advise on areas to develop and support.

• Using data effectively to identify students who are seriously underachieving and where necessary create and implement effective plans of action to support those pupils.

• To provide guidance to staff on the choice of appropriate teaching and learning methods to meet the needs of different pupils.

• To work with the SENCO to promote an inclusive curriculum.

• To liaise with and inform parents/carers about the specifics of the provision for their child under the direction of the SENCO.

• To monitor the progress of students and advise the SENCO.

• Assist with the supervision of pupils out of lesson times, including before and after school and at lunchtime.

• Attend staff meetings, parents’ evenings, INSET sessions and similar important functions both in and out of normal Academy hours, and participate in the main Open Day for prospective parents and pupils.

Other

• Support and foster the aims of the Academy.

• Make themselves familiar with the contents of the Staff Handbook, the Academy’s aims and policies and endeavour to follow these closely.

• Carry out such duties, including cover for absent colleagues as per the academy policy.

• Notify their line-manager as early as possible if they are going to be absent from the Academy.

• Attend relevant in-service training each year, after obtaining the consent of their line-manager

• Take part in the Academy’s performance management scheme and appraisal.

The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present. This role will be reviewed annually as part of the performance appraisal process and the post holder is expected to accept any reasonable alterations that may from time to time be necessary.

Westfield Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Children and Young people. To meet this responsibility, we follow a rigorous selection process. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Person specification

Attributes	Essential (or expected to train / qualify to that standard)
General	Polite and courteous Confidentiality, probity, discretion & integrity Excellent time management, with the ability to prioritise workloads effectively Strong verbal and written communication skills Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Organisational skills Understanding and sensitive to others
Qualifications & training	Recognised Teaching Qualification Post Graduate Qualification Evidence of further advanced study or research Evidence of recent professional development Leadership qualifications / An NPQ/NASENCO Award
Relevant experience	Experience of working in a school setting Appropriate experience in administration Proven track record of working within a team Excellent IT skills (Google work space, email, internet etc.) Knowledge of MIS( SIMS/Go4Schools) database Excellent verbal and written communication skills Flexible working and ability to multitask
Knowledge, skills & abilities	Problem-solving skills and the ability to come up with creative solutions to issues Able to work with a team, take direction from others and collaborate effectively Willingness to learn new skills and acquire new areas of knowledge Ability to plan, organise and prioritise effectively to meet deadlines Efficient, organised and meticulous IT literate with good typing skills and confident using a range of programmes, including Google
Personal qualities	Strong people skills, fair minded and able to communicate well to a variety of audiences Able to interact effectively with staff, parents, students and outside agencies Team player, willing to share in key decision making

Commitment to safeguarding

Westfield Academy and it's Trust Board fully recognise that they have a duty of care to ensure arrangements are in place for safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children. We recognise that all members of the school community, including volunteers and Trustees, will at all times play a full and active part in protecting our students from harm.

Applying for the job

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

CVs are not accepted.

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About Westfield Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary
• School size: 1341 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Westfield Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/westfield-academy

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Westfield Academy. We are an over-subscribed, high-performing, non-selective Academy. We have been a consistently "Good" OFSTED school since 2012, with our most recent inspection being December 2019. During my time as Headteacher, our students have consistently achieved some of the best exam results in South West Herts.

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