SENCo

Oak Tree School, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 5LP

12 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1st September 2025 or January 2026

• Closing date

  27 June 2025 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  12 June 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Subject: Special Needs
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £31,650.00 - £49,084.00 Annually (FTE) SENMin + TLR2A

SENCo job summary

To lead and quality assure the SEND provision in the setting.

Oversee the day-to-day operation of the school’s SEND policy.

To uphold the values and ethos of Maiden Erlegh Trust and the effective and robust implementation of school and Trust policies and procedures.

To share in the leadership and the corporate responsibility of SEND provision at the setting.

To provide leadership and management of support to students with SEND

To advise the leaders of the school on the implementation of the Code of Practice, the Equality Act and other related legal frameworks and guidance within school systems and process.

To assist the school and Trust Leadership in ensuring an ambitious and highquality education for all students, through continuous school improvement and ongoing staff development.

To ensure the school is prepared for Ofsted inspections and other benchmarking visits.

To contribute to the work of the SEND portfolio within the Trust as reasonably directed by the Headteacher (or their delegate).

To liaise closely with the external agencies and local authority on SEND provision, ensuring robust plans and monitoring is in place.

To ensure positive engagement, collaboration and coproduction with SEND pupil’s and their families.

To ensure financial processes for SEND are streamlined and accounted for accurately with the School Business Manager and the SEND manager (where applicable)

About the School

Oak Tree School in Winnersh is a calm, inclusive and aspirational learning environment where relationships come first, curiosity is encouraged, and every learner is supported to succeed on their own terms.

From Year 1 to Year 13, pupils benefit from a personalised curriculum that combines academic learning with personal development, delivered by skilled and compassionate staff. High expectations, consistent routines and integrated support help children and young people to feel safe, valued and ready to thrive.

Everything at Oak Tree School is underpinned by the values of community, inclusion and respect. The school works closely with families and professionals to create an environment where every child is encouraged to be themselves, aim high and take pride in their achievements.

Established in September 2023, Oak Tree School is the result of a strong partnership between Brighter Futures for Children, Reading Borough Council, Wokingham Borough Council and Maiden Erlegh Trust, created in response to the growing need for specialist places within local communities.

Oak Tree School provides high-quality, specialist education for up to 150 learners with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Many pupils are autistic and may also experience Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).

Oak Tree School also plays an active role in the Maiden Erlegh Trust Special & Alternative Provision Hub, collaborating with staff across settings and offering outreach to support inclusive practice in local schools.

As we increase our capacity in September 2025, we are looking for an enthusiastic primary teacher who will lead and develop our curriculum as we continue on our journey to provide outstanding education to all our pupils. The postholders will be required to:

• Understand the fundamental principles of EYFS and relevant SEN KS2 curriculum programmes;
• Develop resources for students and staff that inspire and excite students to learn new skills and knowledge;
• Ensure that Augmentative Alternative Communication Strategies are implemented to enable each child to access the curriculum;
• Demonstrate consistently high expectations of all pupils and a commitment to raising their achievement and social and emotional well-being;
• Promote the positive values, attitudes and behaviour expected from all pupils by treating them with respect and consideration.

These children and young people have boundless potential so, at the heart of Oak Tree School’s provision, will be a rich and stimulating curriculum, specialist personal development education and targeted therapeutic programmes delivered by talented and specialist staff.

Community, inclusion and respect are key Maiden Erlegh Trust values, and they underpin our vision for Oak Tree School. As the project progresses, we will continue to work with our partners and listen to parents and children to realise our vision. Only in this way can we meet the needs of every child and help each one to reach their potential. Linked to our community values, the school will also offer a range of outreach programmes to support SEND pupils in mainstream schools.

We have developed a trust wide Special & AP Hub, providing opportunities to connect with staff members in our specialist settings, where we collaborate, learn and innovate together. The mission is to enhance the quality of education and support we provide to students with diverse needs. We encourage open communication, empathy, and respect, at all levels, as we believe that a supportive and inclusive atmosphere is essential for growth and development. 

About the Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to developing a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community of highly effective schools that deliver excellent education opportunities for the children and young people of the communities we serve.  Through our work we will ensure that our children are equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to deal with the demands of an ever-changing world. The Trust currently comprises eight schools in the local area, with a variety of settings including primary, secondary, special and a PRU.  As a Trust, we encourage professional development at all levels through the use of cross Trust networks to share best practice and ideas.  We also actively encourage the promotion of staff to different roles within the Trust and to different settings in line with their career aspirations.  Click Work @ Maiden Erlegh Trust to find out more information about why you should work for Maiden Erlegh Trust and to read testimonials from existing staff.

Benefits

Further information about some of the staff benefits that Maiden Erlegh Trust offers its employees, can be found on our website HERE.

Staff Wellbeing is very important to us.  As a staff member of Maiden Erlegh Trust these are just some of the examples of how we show our appreciation to staff.

• We operate a system of ‘ME days’ allowing staff to request an additional day off per year to attend special events such as children’s sports days and graduations, family and friends' weddings.
  
• CPD is available for all staff at all levels.
• Free flu vaccinations are offered to all staff.
• Free eye tests are provided for eligible staff.

If you believe that this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and substantially contribute to an exciting future for our students, then you are encouraged to explore further by contacting recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org  for a more detailed discussion, if required. Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.

We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

If you would like to have an informal chat with our hiring manager about this post, please email recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible as the Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint before the closing date.

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 are not accepted.

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.

About Oak Tree School

• School type: Free School, ages 5 to 19
• School size: 52 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 5 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Oak Tree School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/oak-tree-school-wokingham

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