SENCO

Leigh Academy Longfield, Longfield, Kent, DA3 7PH

10 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  Easter 2026

• Closing date

  2 March 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  19 February 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
• Pay scale: Leadership scale based on experience

What skills and experience we're looking for

Leigh Academy Longfield is seeking an exceptional and dedicated Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) to join our team starting in Easter 2026. We are looking for someone who will take responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the SEN policy, SEN information report and provision made by the school for pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities. The successful candidate will also work closely with staff, parents/carers and other agencies.

We have a high proportion of students with SEND. The number of students with Education, Health and Care plans (EHCPs) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is more than three times the national average. Our Specialist provision, The Spectrum Centre, is recognised as a National Area of Excellence. The role of our SENCO is therefore crucial in ensuring that our inclusive values are upheld and all our students are making excellent academic progress whilst developing the skills required to contribute effectively in a democratic society. The successful candidate must have a legitimate passion for SEND and must have the motivation to take our excellent SEND provision to the next level.

What the school offers its staff

Leigh Academy Longfield offers a friendly and supportive working environment with innovation and collaboration at the heart of everything we do. The academy is recognised as an International Baccalaureate (IB) world school and delivers the Middle Years Programme (MYP) to students in years 7-9. Our most recent inspection in 2018 confirmed that Leigh Academy Longfield continues to provide strong educational outcomes for students. The richness of our extracurricular activities allows our students to excel in drama, music, sports and STEM. Leaders of the academy are highly ambitious for all of the students. We have a strong drive for school improvement underpinned by a relentless focus on the core business of improving teaching and learning. We do not limit that ambition to the outcomes of public examinations; our students being prepared for life is equally as important to everyone at the academy. Our pastoral system is truly exceptional and we pride ourselves on the quality of care for every student. Our Post-16 provision continues to go from strength to strength, rated in the top 10% for Kent, with our students securing places at top universities.

Leigh Academy Longfield benefits from modern, state-of-the-art facilities for learning across all subject areas. We have a thorough and robust approach to school improvement, and the academy is well on course to becoming a truly Outstanding school.

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.

Thank you for your interest in joining us. If you’d like to find out more about this role or arrange a visit to the academy, please don’t hesitate to contact Charlotte Herberts (Recruitment Advisor): charlotte.herberts@latrust.org.uk/01634 412 245.

Early applications are encouraged, as we reserve the right to interview before the closing date. All applications must be submitted through our online application form prior to the deadline.

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

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Job_Pack___SENCO___Leigh_Academy_Longfield.pdf - 805 KB (opens in new tab)

About Leigh Academy Longfield

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 980 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Leigh Academy Longfield website
• Email address: joinus@latrust.org.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/longfield-academy-longfield

Arranging a visit to Leigh Academy Longfield

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email joinus@latrust.org.uk.

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