In order to be considered for this role, you will need to complete our application form which can be found here: This will need to be returned to by the application deadline.
We are seeking to appoint an outstanding, highly motivated, enthusiastic and innovative Student Support Officer to join our growing, dynamic and supportive school. We are looking for an individual who will support the pastoral welfare of our students for all year groups to ensure that the students' journey at Weald of Kent Grammar School is both productive academically and enriching individually.
Employment Status: Permanent
Full Time/Part Time: Part time, 0.8
Salary: MPS/UPS
Start Date: January 2025/Easter (negotiable)
We are looking to appoint an outstanding SENDCo and teacher at our Sevenoaks campus who is aware of the key barriers to learning and how to support with adaptive practice. The successful candidate will have an impressive track record in ensuring that teaching, learning and assessment are wholly inclusive in a grammar school school setting.
The SENDCo is committed to delivering the school's vision and high ambitions for the school's future through close collaboration with the Lead SENDCo and the broader SEN Team. Through working closely with all staff they are responsible for the development, monitoring and evaluation of the school's Special Educational Needs Policy. The SENDCo ensures that the day-to-day operation of that policy results in raising students' achievement and closing the gap. In addition, the SENDCo is responsible for supporting policy and ensuring practice across the organisation meets the needs of all learners. The SENDCo communicates to others clearly and regularly about the strategic direction in this area and supports teachers in establishing effective approaches to Quality First Teaching. In particular, they ensure that the systems and profiles they introduce are understood and embedded in the everyday work of the school. The SENDCo seeks to challenge underperformance and remove barriers to inclusion and achievement. The SENDCo is an outstanding teacher who consistently models Professional Standards. They actively seek out best practice and inspire others to continue to improve. The SENDCo actively supports the activities of the school community and the wider community it serves.
The Learning Support Team are focused and hard-working individuals, who work together to ensure our students feel valued and can make good progress. It is made up of the Lead SENDCo, three learning Mentors and one other SENDCO. The team work closely with the Student Support team and together lead on all inclusion matters in the school, supporting the teaching, learning and assessment of our students ensuring that 'Quality First Teaching' is delivered for all. The well-being of our students is a key priority for the school, and the Learning Support Team are at the forefront of our provision for student support. The team is highly regarded by all stakeholders and is known for the excellence of its delivery and outcomes for all of our students.
The SENDCO's role and responsibilities will be reviewed annually to meet the needs of the school community. In addition, it is understood that they must actively engage with the nationally approved training required to carry out this role including Child Protection and Safeguarding. The areas of responsibility will include a range of strategic and operational activities.
Strategic Responsibilities
* Support the Lead SENDCO in assisting the Headteacher, Senior Assistant Headteacher and designated SEND Trustee with the strategic development of SEND provision.
* Ensure all staff understand the needs of identified students at the Sevenoaks campus and ensure the objectives to develop SEND are embedded in all levels of planning.
* Monitor the impact of objectives and targets for these students and evaluate the effectiveness of learning and teaching through observation, discussion with students and lesson visits.
* Consider and plan for strategic opportunities to develop quality first teaching within the school.
* Work with Learning Support, SLT, external agencies and other schools to coordinate their contribution and support.
* Work with the school's team of HoYs, DSLs and relevant external agencies.
* Oversee the administration of Access Arrangements for students at the Sevenoaks campus up to GCSE level.
* Support the Lead SENDCO with the strategic direction for the SEND Team.
* Set short, medium- and long-term plans to deliver the above and meet school priorities and targets.
* Maintain the overview of the identified students' progress towards targets and identify appropriate intervention strategies.
Teaching, Tutoring and Learning
* Identify and disseminate effective teaching and learning approaches and engage with current research to support this work.
* Suggest ways to close learning and achievement gaps through assessment of needs, monitoring teaching, setting targets, devising Learning Plans and developing systems to track and record progress, in line with the Graduated Approach of Assess, Plan, Do and Review.
* Streamline processes to ensure swift and accurate identification of need and relevant support.
* Interpret specialist assessment reports and data, disseminating relevant content as appropriate.
* Lead the day-to-day coordination of provision/intervention.
* Ensure equal opportunity and access is central to teaching and tutoring.
* Identify strategies and equipment that could support students.
Leading and Managing Staff
* Foster positive working relationships across the school community.
* Provide professional guidance to staff to secure effective teaching and learning for all students.
* Lead groups of staff in continuous professional development to support students with SEND.
* Actively promote rigorous and developmental performance growth processes.
* Inform SLT of future development needs that will help to realise the school's vision.
* Direct Line Management Responsibilities for the strategic direction, work and policies of the Learning Mentor at Sevenoaks.
Operational Responsibilities
* Deploy staff and support colleagues in carrying out their duties.
* Advise on priorities for expenditure and monitor the effectiveness of spending and usage of resources to ensure value for money.
* Manage and develop key personnel with support from the Lead SENDCO.
* Co-ordinate Provision Plans, Annual Reviews, High Needs Funding and other statutory reporting.
* Develop links with parents and carers of students in the school by ensuring parents are well-informed about the curriculum, and academic, attendance and personal targets for their children.
Application Closing Date: Wednesday 8 October 2025, 9am
Shortlist Interview Date: Thursday 16 October 2025
Early applications are advised as the School reserves the right to appoint at any stage during the application process.
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post. As this role involves 'regulated activity' with children the successful applicant will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure application. Employment will be conditional upon the College being satisfied with the result of the Enhanced DBS check and the outcome of all other checks.
The School will also carry out a check of the Children's Barred List on the successful applicant. Applicants should be aware that it is unlawful for the School to employ anyone to work with children if they are barred from doing so, and it is a criminal offence for a person to apply to work with children if they are barred from doing so.
This role is also exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask shortlisted applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £32,916.00-£51,048.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Cycle to work scheme
* Free parking
* On-site parking
* Private medical insurance
Work Location: In person