Job Overview

Grainville school is offering an exciting opportunity for a dedicated and experienced Deputy SENCo to join out dynamic Inclusion Team. The successful candidate will work closely with the SENCo to support the strategic developed of Special Education Needs (SEN) provision within the school, ensuring high-quality teaching and learning for students with special educational needs, and one who is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of students. The role includes taking active interest in the wider aspects of teaching and learning within the school and will be timetabled to teach Key Stage 3 or 4 for half a timetabled week. 

The preferred candidate should possess a degree-level qualification or equivalent experience, along with relevant certifications in Special Educational Needs (SEN) support, or demonstrate a readiness to pursue additional training in SEN coordination. 

A clear understanding of the SEN Code of Practice and experience working with children who have special educational needs is essential. The ideal candidate will exhibit strong communication skills and the capability to collaborate effectively with students, parents, staff and external organisations, all while being dedicated to promoting and inclusive educational environment for every student. 

Grainville is an inclusive school and is committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of students and young peOple. For further information regarding this position, please contact Lisa Solano, SENCo at L.Solano@grainville.sch.je

Job Purpose

This is a position to support and develop aspects of the strategic development of the school's Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision and oversight of day-to-day operations, with the aim of raising SEN student achievement.

A member of staff with SEN experience is required. The successful applicant will also be trained and qualified to meet the most up-to-date standards in SEN.

To support the SENCo as outlined in the Jersey Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs.

Accountability

The Deputy SENCo is accountable to the SENCo and to the parents/carers in respect of students with special educational needs.

Responsibilities

The Deputy SENCo shall exercise the following responsibilities and work in partnership with, and under the direct line management of the SENCo to fulfil an agreed portfolio of areas of responsibility within SEN. Put provision in place to ensure that progress of students with SEN improves relative to those without SEN.

• Ensure that provision is in place so that progress of students with SEN improves relative to those without SEN 
• Ensure that the school carries out its statutory responsibilities regarding all students with a Statement of SEN
• Support all staff in understanding the needs of SEN students
• Support departmental development planning of SEN provision
• Support Access Arrangements, in partnership with the school’s examinations officer and subject leaders, to ensure all rules set down by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) are followed documenting evidence in support of special examination arrangements for individual students
• Lead and facilitate annual Review Meetings for Record of Need students (RONs) and prepare relevant reports
• Train staff in the effective use of differentiated resources as a learning and assessment tool
• Regularly monitor progress towards targets for students with SEN in conjunction with the SEN Groups Coordinator
• Attend Impact days to share with the Senior Leadership Team progress made by students, where necessary
• Analyse and interpret relevant school, local and national data on attendance, punctuality, behaviour, reading ages and student progress and use this data to further improve processes and systems at Grainville, where necessary
• Work with the school Literacy Coordinator to oversee the impact of the Reading Intervention programme and use of Reading TAs, where appropriate
• Liaise with staff, parents, external agencies and other schools to co-ordinate their contribution, provide maximum support and ensure continuity of provision
• Support the identification of and disseminate the most effective teaching approaches for individual students with SEN
• Work with staff to develop effective ways of bridging barriers to learning through:
  • assessment of needs
  • monitoring of teaching quality and pupil achievement
  • target setting - RONs, Provision Maps, strategy sheets etc
  • keeping accurate records
• Collect and interpret specialist assessment data to inform practice
• Work with SLT, teachers, Heads of Year and pastoral staff to ensure all students learning is of equal importance and that there are high and realistic expectations of students
• Support in the management of the Inclusion register and Provision mapping
• Support the SENCo with ‘Super Transition’ visits with feeder schools
• Ensure clear communication of SEN policies, processes and systems for shared understanding for school, parents, partner agencies and the department
• Support in the provision for students with the relevant designated teacher where a Looked after student (LAC) has SEN
• Identify needs of the school in the areas of SEN and to develop and deliver SEN training for the staff, where necessary

Knowledge and Experience

The Deputy SENCo will demonstrate: 

• Extensive Knowledge and understanding of SEN current educational theory and practice and its impact on creating a high-quality learning environment for students with learning difficulties
• Knowledge and understanding of leading and managing SEN support effectively

Skills

The Deputy SENCo is able to: 

• Apply professional knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes to achieve desired outcomes
• Contribute to the creation of a vision for high achieving, learning centred school for students with SEN
• Plan strategically to enable the school vision to be achieved
• Support in building, inspiring, motivating and developing high performing staff teams
• Lead, manage and deploy resources to initiate and manage change and improve SEN support to enhance the quality of teaching and learning
• Motivate and inspire students, staff, parents/carers
• Set high standards and provide a role model for staff and students
• Make decisions based on analysis, interpretation and understanding of relevant SEN data, information and best current practice
• Think creatively, anticipate and solve problems and identify opportunities for SEN development and organisational change
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing to a range of audiences
• Prioritise and work under pressure
• Demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional development

Personal Attributes

The Deputy SENCo will demonstrate: 

• Resilience
• Personal impact and presence
• Adaptability
• Energy, vigour and enthusiasm
• Professional rigour
• Empathy
• Sense of humour, commitment, reliability and integrity

Professional Development

The Deputy SENCo will: 

• Attend appropriate CPD training in relation to their role
• Deliver SEN updates and staff training