Job Description

Assistant SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)

Description

We are seeking a dedicated, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable Assistant SENCO to join our team at Lydiard Park Academy. The successful candidate will support the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) in ensuring the effective provision for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This is a crucial role that will involve working collaboratively with teaching staff, parents, external agencies, and students to support the inclusion and academic success of students with SEND.

About you:

Knowledge and experience:

Experience working with pupils with SEND in a school or similar setting. Understanding of SEND legislation and guidance. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with staff, pupils, and parents. A commitment to promoting inclusion and providing high-quality support to all pupils.

Desirable Skills and Attributes:

Experience of leading or supporting a team of staff. Knowledge of various SEND conditions and a range of intervention strategies. Experience working with external agencies and professionals. Strong organisational and time-management skills. A proactive and problem-solving approach to challenges.

Details:

Interview Date:

Friday 4th July 2025

Start date:

1st September 2025

Hours:

Full Time (37 per week), term time only

Salary

: Trust Grade 19 - Trust Grade 21 (35,210 - 37,124 FTE) - 30,143 - 31,782 pro rata

Contract Type:

Permanent

Work Location:

Lydiard Park Academy

Closing Date: Please note we will review applications as and when they are received. We reserve the right to close the advert for applications at any point.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed by appointment, where you can tour the school, talk to pupils and staff about life at Lydiard Park Academy.

Please see for full details of this role.

Key Accountabilities

:

Supporting the SENDCo

: Assist the SENDCo in managing the SEND provision across the school, ensuring the needs of all pupils with SEND are met effectively.

Leadership

: Take on leadership responsibilities in the absence of the SENDCo, helping to coordinate and oversee the work of the SEND team and ensuring that provision is in line with school policies.

Assessment and Identification

: Support in identifying and assessing pupils with potential SEND, including liaising with teachers, parents, and external professionals to gather relevant information.

Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

: Assist in the creation, review, and monitoring of IEPs and other relevant documents, ensuring they are tailored to meet pupils' individual needs and are followed by staff.

Teacher Support

: Work closely with teaching staff to provide advice and resources for differentiating lessons and supporting pupils with SEND in the classroom.

Training and Development

: Support the delivery of training and professional development for staff on SEND best practices, including strategies for differentiation, behaviour management, and inclusion.

Parental Involvement

: Build positive relationships with parents/carers, offering guidance and support regarding their child's progress and development.

External Agencies

: Liaise with external agencies, educational psychologists, and other professionals to access resources and expertise, ensuring the appropriate interventions are in place.

Monitoring and Reporting

: Monitor and track the progress of pupils with SEND, ensuring that interventions are effective and reporting on progress to the SENDCo, Senior Leadership Team, and governors.

Inclusion

: Champion the inclusion of SEND pupils in all aspects of school life, from classroom activities to extracurricular events.

Supplementary Accountabilities:

Work towards and support the Academy and Trust vision and values, including Improvement Plans.

Support and contribute to our safeguarding responsibility.

Maintain high personal standards and abide by the Staff Code of Conduct at all times.

Engage actively in the Appraisal process.

Liaise with central functions such as HR, IT and Finance where specialist advice is required.

Take a Trust view of any work carried out in the Academy, to ensure this follows central standards.

Contribute to the development and implementation of SEND-related policies and procedures, in line with the school's vision and values

No job description can be exhaustive and the duties may alter in practice or over time. The post holder is expected to use his/her professional judgment to ensure that the Assistant SENDCo role continues to evolve and develop in line with the Trust's changing requirements.

Job scope:

This role will be line managed by the SENDCo and may have line management responsibilities.

Knowledge and experience

:

Experience working with pupils with SEND in a school or similar setting.

Understanding of SEND legislation and guidance.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with staff, pupils, and parents.

A commitment to promoting inclusion and providing high-quality support to all pupils.

Desirable Skills and Attributes:

Experience of leading or supporting a team of staff.

Knowledge of various SEND conditions and a range of intervention strategies.

Experience working with external agencies and professionals.

Strong organisational and time-management skills.

A proactive and problem-solving approach to challenges.

Job Specific Competencies

Excellent administrative and organisational skills, with the ability to maintain accurate and detailed records

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with a range of stakeholders

Proficient in the use of relevant software and IT systems, including data management and reporting tools

Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, while also demonstrating initiative and independent problem-solving skills

Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and a high level of discretion when handling sensitive information

Contacts and relationships:

Maintain a good relationship with all staff especially external providers and the attendance team

Liaise with parents, carers, and other stakeholders to ensure they are informed and involved in the SEND support process

Work closely with all stakeholders to ensure SEND information is accurately recorded and communicated

Creativity and Innovation

:

Working with the SENDCo to ensure that the School's SEND provision is compliant and current. To ensure that lessons promote the highest levels of learning for pupils with SEND.

In accordance with the provisions of GDPR, jobholders should take reasonable care to ensure that personal data is not disclosed outside the Trust procedures, or use personal data held on others for their own purposes. In accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, ensure requests for non-personal information are dealt with in accordance with the Trust's written procedures.

Safeguarding - Children & Vulnerable Adults

This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Staff must work in accordance with the Trust Safeguarding and Child Protection Statement and school Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and understand their role within that Policy.

About Lydiard Park Academy:

Lydiard Park Academy is proud to have maintained its Good rating after a recent Ofsted inspection in December 2023. The school continues to be recognised for its commitment to excellence and is a consistently trusted choice for families with its broad and ambitious curriculum.

At Lydiard Park Academy, we are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where every student can thrive. Our dedicated staff are passionate about providing an outstanding education, and we are looking for someone who shares this ethos. As a Deputy SENCO, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of our students, working in a supportive and collaborative environment.

If you are an experienced, motivated, and compassionate individual with a commitment to supporting students with SEND, we would love to hear from you.

We are constantly seeking new ways to enhance the educational experience for our pupils and to ensure that they have access to the resources and support they need to excel. We encourage all staff to be committed to their professional development, supported through our programme of professional learning that supports everyone to develop their practice and leadership skills.

As a school in The Park Academies Trust, we aim to be a centre of educational excellence that inspire all pupils to turn their potential into performance. Located in Swindon, near the natural beauty of the Wiltshire Downs and the Cotswolds, we are also within easy reach of the university towns of Bath, Bristol and Oxford and just under an hour by train from London. Our ideal location means that our students benefit from a wide range of curriculum-enhancing opportunities.

About The Park Academies Trust:

The Park Academies Trust was formed in 2016 with the vision to make a significant contribution to improving education in Swindon and surrounds. A family of eight schools; Abbey Park School, Lydiard Park Academy, Orchid Vale Primary School, Highworth Warneford School, Red Oaks Primary School, The Deanery CE Academy, Kingfisher CE Academy and Bridlewood Primary School; the Trust offers a high quality all through educational provision from nursery right up to our Sixth Form based at Lydiard Park Academy, enabling staff and pupils alike to benefit from being part of a thriving multi-phase educational Trust.

We offer:

A positive and dynamic environment in a Trust which is growing in both size and success A strong pupil ethos centred on mutual respect and fulfilling potential Excellent opportunities for CPD across the Trust. Competitive salary Staff Discount portal Support from experienced and knowledgeable colleagues across the Trust Attractive Pension Scheme
The Park Academies Trust has joined forces with a number of excellent service providers to give you that little bit extra, that little pat on the back:

Doctor Care Anywhere Cycle to work scheme Employee assistance programme Let's Connect - Salary sacrifice Technology My Gym Discounts

Safeguarding Statement

The Park Academies Trust 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. All job offers are subject to satisfactory reference and enhanced DBS checks. In line with statutory guidance in 'Keeping Children Safe in Education', we will carry out an online search as part of our due-diligence on short-listed candidates.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 30,143.00-31,782.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Cycle to work scheme On-site parking Referral programme
Schedule:

Monday to Friday No weekends
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 01/07/2025
Reference ID: AS_New
Expected start date: 01/09/2025