Responsible to: Deputy Head Pastoral (11-18)
Location: Stephen Perse Cambridge Senior School and Sixth Form
The SEND department
We are a small department, highly committed to supporting students with a wide variety of needs, in the Senior School and Sixth Form. Our approach is characterised by close and fruitful collaboration with other members of teaching and support staff, working together to support each student’s learning in the broader context of their wellbeing. In addition to providing specialist intervention for SEND students, we also offer some individual and small group study skills support.
Your Role
As the Lead SENCO (11-18), you will be instrumental in ensuring that students with special educational needs (SEND) and those with emerging needs can fully engage in teaching and learning. The SENCO (11-18) line manages a team consisting of the SENCO KS3, SENCO KS4, SENCO KS5, Specialist teacher and Teaching Assistants. You will collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team to develop a strategic SEND policy that aligns with the Code of Practice, overseeing its implementation and coordinating specific provisions to support individual students. Additionally, you will provide professional guidance to colleagues, working closely with staff, parents, and external agencies to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students.
Principal responsibilities
● Have a strategic overview of provision for pupils across the Senior School and Sixth Form with SEN or a disability across the school, monitoring and reviewing the quality of provision.
● Put provision in place to ensure the progress of pupils with SEN relative to those without SEN.
● Lead and manage the SEND department and all SEN staff.
● Oversee, plan, implement and review the SEND provision for students across 11-18.
● Assess the learning needs of students and ensure the provision of formal testing and screening where appropriate to enable access arrangements to be in place with examination boards.
● Participate in regular training for JCQ/CAIE access, neurodevelopmental assessment referrals and SEND Early Help referrals.
● Administer EHCPs.
● Carry out a regular review of educational plans and monitor student progress in relation to them.
● Liaise with the KS3, KS4 and KS5 Assistant SENCOs and support teaching staff with the provision of strategies and advice on access arrangements.
● Ensure that the Senior Leadership Team is informed about current good practice and legislation relating to SEN and inclusion, and that policies and practices relating to SEN are up to date.
● Collect and interpret specialist assessment data to inform practice.
Being part of a team
● Liaise with students, staff, parents and external professionals as required to establish student needs and to generate appropriate plans.
● Liaise within the SEND team to facilitate KS2 to KS3 and KS4 to KS5 transition.
● Work with the Head, Deputy Heads, teachers and pastoral teams to ensure all pupils’ learning is of equal importance and that there are high and realistic expectations of pupils.
● Identify training needs for staff and how to meet these needs, including leading relevant INSET sessions for staff.
General administration
● Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of students with special educational needs and ensure that all interested parties are kept informed of changes to the record.
● Record results relating to the formal testing of students, and follow up appropriately.
● Analyse relevant data and report results and recommendations arising from such analysis to students, parents and staff as appropriate.
● Assist in related administrative tasks as required, including baseline tests and other screening tests.
● Provide or contribute oral or written assessments, reports and references as required for individual pupils.
● Keep under review, and report, developments within SEND to the Deputy Head Pastoral and wider pastoral and academic teams.
● Attend pastoral and SEND meetings.
Student Wellbeing
● Develop and implement strategies to manage students’ work-based pressure/stress or external pressures, involving others where appropriate.
● Identify and respond with sensitivity to the emotional concerns of students, and symptoms of mental health issues.
● Signpost students to appropriate staff and support within the School’s system where there are concerns for their mental health and wellbeing.
Professional Development
● Take part in the School’s professional development programme.
● Attend induction, training and briefing sessions as required.
● Keep abreast of developments within the field of Special Educational Needs and Disability.