DescriptionSupporting documentsEmployerLocation
Longvernal Primary School are looking for a part-time, temporary SENCO to cover Maternity Leave.
Hours – 19.5 Hours a week
Salary – MPS & TRL - £32,196.00 – Actual Salary £19,749.60 pro rata
Closing date – Friday 26th September 2025
Longvernal is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our safer recruiting policy requires an enhanced DBS check and full employment checks prior to taking up the post.
Contract type: part-time, temporary to cover Maternity Leave.
Start Date: 03.11.2025
Reporting to: Headteacher
Responsible for: overseeing and monitoring provision for pupils with SEN throughout the school from Nursery to Year 6.
Main purpose:
The SENCO, under the direction of the Headteacher, will:
Determine the strategic development of special educational needs (SEN) policy and provision in the school
Be responsible for day-to-day operation of the SEN policy and co-ordination of specific provision to support individual pupils with SEN or a disability
Provide professional guidance to colleagues, working closely with staff, parents/carers and other agencies
Liaise effectively with multiple external professional agencies, including multiple local authorities.
Duties and responsibilities:
Strategic development of SEN policy and provision
Have a strategic overview of provision for pupils with SEN or a disability across the school, monitoring and reviewing the quality of provision
Contribute to school self-evaluation, particularly with respect to provision for pupils with SEN or a disability
Ensure the SEN policy is put into practice, and that the objectives of this policy are reflected in the school improvement plan
Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of national and local initiatives which may affect the school’s policy and practice
Evaluate whether funding is being used effectively, and propose changes to make use of funding more effective
Operation of the SEN policy and co-ordination of provision:
Maintain an accurate SEND register and provision map
Provide guidance to colleagues on teaching pupils with SEN or a disability, and advise on the graduated approach to SEN support
Advise on the use of the school’s budget and other resources to meet pupils’ needs effectively, including staff deployment
Be aware of the provision in the local offer
Work with early years providers, other schools, educational psychologists, health and social care professionals, and other external agencies
Be a key point of contact for external agencies, especially the local authority
Analyse assessment data for pupils with SEN or a disability
Implement intervention groups for pupils with SEN, and evaluate their effectiveness
Develop positive professional relationships with parents/carers of pupils with SEND to establish an ethos of working together to the benefit of the child
Support for pupils with SEN or a disability:
Identify a pupil’s SEN
Co-ordinate provision that meets the pupil’s needs, and monitor its effectiveness
Secure relevant services for the pupil
Ensure records are maintained and kept up to date
Review the education, health and care plan with parents or carers and the pupil – co-ordinate the annual review meetings
Communicate regularly with parents or carers and carry out TAC meetings
Ensure that if the pupil transfers to another school, all relevant information is conveyed to it, and support a smooth transition for the pupil
Promote the pupil’s inclusion in the school community and access to the curriculum, facilities and extra-curricular activities
Work with the designated teacher for looked-after children, where a looked-after pupil has SEN or a disability
In partnership with the Nursery, EYFS SEN Lead and feeder nurseries, secure transition funding for our Nursery children starting school
Liaise with staff, parents and carers to support the HCRG Neurodevelopmental Pathway process
Leadership and management:
Work with the headteacher and governors to ensure the school meets its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 in terms of reasonable adjustments and access arrangements
Prepare and review information the governing board is required to publish
Contribute to the school improvement plan and whole-school policy
Identify training needs for staff and how to meet these needs
Lead INSET for staff
Share procedural information, such as the school’s SEN policy
Promote an ethos and culture that supports the school’s SEN policy and promotes good outcomes for pupils with SEN or a disability
Lead and manage EYFS SEN LEAD
Together with the Headteacher, lead and manage teaching assistants working with pupils with SEN or a disability
Together with the Headteacher, review staff performance on an ongoing basis
Meet with parents at Parents Evening or organised time to share a pupil’s support plan and agree parental role
Work in partnership with the schools PSA on particular cases
The SENCO will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people, and follow school policies and the staff code of conduct.
Please note that this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the SENCO will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the Headteacher.
Person specification:
Qualifications
Qualified teacher status
National Award for SEN Co-ordination
Degree
Experience
Teaching experience
Experience of working at a whole-school level
Involvement in self-evaluation and development planning
Experience of conducting training/leading INSET
Experience of line managing staff
Experience engaging with BANES & Somerset Council SEND departments
Experience completing the HCRG Neurodevelopmental Pathway process (action plans, reviews & monitoring)
Skills and knowledge
Sound knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice
Understanding of what makes ‘quality first’ teaching, and of effective intervention strategies
Ability to plan and evaluate interventions
Data analysis skills, and the ability to use data to inform provision planning
Effective communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to build effective working relationships
Ability to influence and negotiate
Good record-keeping skills
Familiarity with BANES My Plan System / TES Edukey / Arbor would be preferable
Personal qualities
Commitment to getting the best outcomes for pupils and promoting the ethos and values of the school
Commitment to equal opportunities and securing good outcomes for pupils with SEN or a disability
Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively – meet tight deadlines
Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times
Commitment to safeguarding and equality
Desire to be a full member of ‘The Longvernal Family’
Safeguarding Statement
Longvernal Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.