Position: Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator
Line Manager: Deputy Head Academic
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 0.8 to full time
Salary: SCS Scale at the point appropriate for your qualifications & experience
Start Date: Monday 7th September 2026
Salisbury Cathedral School is looking for an inspirational and highly motivated SENCo to join its staff and inspire young minds. Salisbury Cathedral School has long had a very strong reputation for an excellent academic provision that includes securing places for our children at the top Senior Schools in the South East and the country, as well as winning numerous academic and extra-curricular scholarships. It is a school rightly known for the warmth and strength of its community.
Nestled in the heart of the Cathedral Close in Salisbury, our School is surrounded by idyllic woodlands and has access to all the School's beautiful grounds and facilities – the perfect place for taking learning outdoors, building on our vision for teaching and learning to be active, engaging and not just classroom based!
The successful candidate will join a happy and thriving community. At SCS, we have a genuine team spirit and every single person is uniquely valued for who they are and what they bring to our community.
Blending tradition, informality and innovation, we work hard to offer a vibrant and stimulating professional environment.
This will be reviewed annually and may be subject to amendment at any time, after consultation with the post holder. It is not a comprehensive statement of procedures and tasks, but sets out the main expectations of Salisbury Cathedral School in relation to the post holder’s professional responsibilities and duties.
Overarching responsibilities:
The SENCo is responsible for leading the Learning Support Department (LSD); for all aspects of the learning support throughout the School; ensuring we are providing an excellent provision to support our pupils and curriculum. To provide continual improvement of the quality of provision offered to all children with learning needs or a disability.
Main Purpose:
The SENCo, working with the Deputy Head Academic and will:
* Determine the strategic development of learning support and SEND policies and provision in the School
* Have oversight of day-to-day management of the LSD
* Assist in the shaping of the teaching and learning culture within the School
* Provide professional guidance to colleagues, working closely with staff, parents and other agencies
* Champion inclusion across the School
Safeguarding Responsibilities Include:
* Safeguard and promote the welfare of children
* Foster a culture of openness, safety, equality and protection
* Provide a safe and welcoming environment where both children and adults feel secure, able to talk, and believe that they are being listened to
* Play a key role in the prevention of harm and an equal responsibility to act on any suspicion or disclosure that may indicate a child is at risk of harm
* Ensure sharing of key information and advocacy for SEND pupils
* All staff must act in accordance with the School’s Safeguarding & Child Protection Policies
Strategy:
* Develop and deliver a clear strategy for the provision for pupils with learning needs or a disability across the School, monitoring, and reviewing for continual improvement in the quality of provision
* Contribute to School self-evaluation, particularly with respect to provision for pupils with learning needs or a disability
* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of national and local initiatives that may affect the School’s policy and practice
* Work with the Deputy Head 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’s Strategic Development Plan and whole-school policy
Management:
* To organise the day to day running of the department and coordinate provision across the School
* To monitor intervention groups for pupils with learning needs, and evaluate their effectiveness
* Identify relevant training needs for LSD staff and class teachers
* Assist in the analysis of assessment data for pupils with a learning need or a disability
* In collaboration with LSD team, oversee identification of a pupil’s learning need and the School’s capacity to meet need
* Oversee the maintenance of an accurate LSD register and provision map, and ensure records are maintained and kept up to date
* Ensure tracking documents are updated, monitored and analysed regularly where appropriate
* Manage the LSD budget within agreed limits
* Review staff performance on an ongoing basis, where required
Teaching and Learning Culture:
* Offer encouragement and support to all pupils with learning needs, or disability
* Work closely with the Deputy Head and Head of Pre-Prep to develop whole school teaching and learning culture and approaches
* Promote an ethos and culture that supports the School’s Learning Support Policy and promotes good outcomes for pupils with learning needs or a disability
* Promote and encourage excellence of teaching and learning practice, thereby developing confidence through improvement and success
* Champion each pupil’s inclusion in the school community and access to the curriculum, facilities and extra-curricular activities
* Provide guidance to colleagues on teaching pupils with a learning need or a disability, and advise on the graduated approach to LSD support
* Support teaching staff and assistants and assist them in their personal and professional development through the appraisal and INSET programmes
* Undertake learning walks and observations to ensure best practice
* Lead INSET and other training for staff
* Keep abreast of the requirements of the National Curriculum, Common Entrance and Scholarships
Guidance:
* Provide guidance for parents and staff on strategies and provision for pupils, especially those with complex needs
* Secure relevant services for pupils should needs require
* Communicate regularly with parents or carers, as required
* Review the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with parents or carers and the pupil, if necessary
* Work with the Registrar when required to ensure the School can understand and meet needs of any perspective pupils
* Ensure when the pupil transfers to another school, all relevant information is conveyed to them, and support a smooth transition for the pupil
* Work with early years providers, educational psychologists, health and social care professionals, and other external agencies
* Be a key point of contact for external agencies, especially the local authority (LA)
* Foster and maintain links with external organisations to provide support for pupils
All school staff are expected to:
* Work towards and support the school vision and the current school objectives outlined in the School Development Plan
* Carry out the work of this School to the best of your ability, displaying initiative and enthusiasm and recognising that its status as a reparatory and pre-prep, boarding and day school and also a choir school places additional demands and responsibilities on staff who choose to work here
* Support your colleagues and their work, building on all that is good and helping to re-shape what could be better
* Do all you can, by the relationships that you build with pupils, staff, parents, and the wider community, to promote the caring ethos of the School and reflect its Christian foundation
* Support and contribute to the School’s responsibility for safeguarding pupils
* Work within the School’s Health and Safety Policy to ensure a safe working environment for staff, pupils and visitors
* Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct, and positive, courteous relations with pupils, parents and colleagues
* Engage actively in the performance review process
* Adhere to policies as set out in the employment handbook and operation handbook
* Undertake other reasonable duties related to the job purpose required from time to time
Desired Skills, Knowledge and Experience:
* Qualification and experience in Special Educational Needs Coordination, Level 5 Diploma in SpLD or equivalent
* Degree
* Qualified Teacher Status is essential
* Experience of working at a primary level
* Sound knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice
* EAL experience
* 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
* Good administrative and IT skills
* Involvement in self-evaluation and development planning
* Experience of conducting training/leading INSET
* Sensitivity to the needs of all pupils and an ability to adapt methods of support
* Excellent organisational skills and the ability to delegate
* Willingness to share outstanding practice and support the development of staff
* Share a creative and enthusiastic approach to cross-curricular opportunities
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 learning needs or a disability
* Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively
* Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times
* Commitment to safeguarding and equality
* Willingness to contribute to the wider Prep School curriculum and community
* Ability to communicate warmly, positively and authentically with parents about their child’s progress and potential
* Maintain a positive, flexible and good-humoured approach
* Consistently exhibit high standards of conduct including punctuality, professional appearance and discretion
What can we offer you?
* Salary: SCS Scale at the point appropriate for your qualifications and experience
* A comprehensive induction programme and ongoing support
* In conjunction with Education Support we are able to offer an employee assistance programme
* A cycle to work scheme
* Childcare voucher scheme via salary sacrifice with Edenred
* Lunch provided during term time
* Free on site parking
* Teachers will be automatically enrolled in our Royal London pension scheme
* Staff are entitled to up to 50% discount on their children's school fees
How to Apply: If you would like to apply for this post, please complete the application form on the TES website
Closing Date: Tuesday 2nd June 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 8th June 2026
For any queries, please speak to: Mrs Charli Hilliard, HR Administrator: 01722 555318 or hr@salisburycathedralschool.com