At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!
How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?
Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).
4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!
Job Title: SENCO
Location: The Greater Horseshoe School, Heathfield, TQ12 6RH
Salary: Up to £39,000.00 per annum depending on experience and qualifications (not pro rata)
Hours: 40.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent, Term Time only
Start: September 2025
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for an SENCO to join our close-knit team at The Greater Horseshoe School, part of Acorn Education.
About the role
As a SENCo you will work with the Headteacher and therapy team to determine the strategic development of the SEND policy.
The SENCo will provide professional guidance to colleagues and liaise and work with staff, parents, and other agencies to make sure that pupils with SEN receive appropriate support and high-quality teaching.
Advising on the graduated approach, to providing SEN support and differentiated teaching methods appropriate for individual pupils, is another key aspect of the SENCo role.
Supporting pupils with complex communication needs, autism and associated learning and emotional needs is important and rewarding work, and you will benefit from the tremendous support offered by our hugely experienced teams. As you help our pupils achieve real and significant progress, you will enjoy having a direct, positive impact on their developing lives.
Who we are looking for
We are looking to welcome an outstanding, innovative and determined SENCo to be responsible for the strategic leadership development of Special Education Needs provision with the tenacity to turn ideas into reality.
You would be an integral part of the Leadership Team, providing a high level of strategic, managerial and operational direction for the school, particularly in relation to the Quality of Education and will have the opportunity to impact significantly on the future direction and outcomes of the school.
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate excellent management, inter-personal and organisational skills with an ability to support teams in working together, showing commitment to ensuring equality of opportunity and accountability for all.
Essential Experience:
* Qualified Teacher Status or equivalent
* To have completed the SENCo qualification or working towards
* Qualification in special educational needs
About Us
The Greater Horseshoe School is an independent special school for pupils aged 8 to 18 years old. The school is situated in a peaceful woodland setting near Newton Abbot in Devon.
Our school facilities are complemented by our nearby care farm, where we offer animal care, horticulture and a wide range of outdoor educational activities alongside academic and vocational programmes.
We are committed to providing the best education for young people with complex needs. We offer a unique tailored programme for every pupil, combining a therapeutic approach, outdoor learning and individual academic and vocational programmes to suit each young person. Everything that we do is based on thoroughly understanding the needs of our students and how we can best support them in achieving positive outcomes.
Our approach is caring, positive and adaptable, and is underpinned by a thorough theoretical knowledge. Our staff come from relevant educational and therapeutic backgrounds and have extensive experience of supporting young people with a range of needs.
We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career.
Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.
Why join Acorn Education?
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
* Life Assurance
* Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
* “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
* A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
* 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
* Cycle to Work Schemes
* Electric Car Purchase Scheme
* Critical illness cover
* Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit
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