SENCO - Westminster Academy

WESTMINSTER ACADEMY
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS COORDINATOR (SENCO)
JOB TITLE
JOB PURPOSE
JOB DESCRIPTION
Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)
The SENCO will take overall responsibility for ensuring the
needs of students with cognitive learning difficulties and
those with BESD Action Plus and SpLD are met, including
those with statements and those due for statutory
assessment. He/she will lead and manage the work of the
Deputy SENCO/GTP SENCO, Learning support teachers,
LSAs, LSU and Nurture provision to support these
students and manage the grant received from statements.
He/she will maintain and develop identification criteria and
assessment methods for this group of students, working
with external services such as Educational Psychologists,
Speech and Language Therapists and SpLD consultants.
He/she will provide professional guidance in these areas in
order to secure high quality teaching and the effective use
of resources to bring about improved standards of
achievement for all students.
This job description relates to the specific needs of
Westminster Academy. It is based on the National
Standards for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators
which the post-holder will be expected to meet.
RESP/GRADE
RESPONSIBLE
TO
Director of Inclusion or Senior leader English.
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:
1 LEADERSHIP
OF
ADDITIONAL
NEEDS
PROVISION
To co-ordinate, with the support of the Principal and
Leadership Team and within the context of the Academy’s
aims and policies for the achievement of all in a broad and
balanced curriculum, the development and implementation
of the Inclusion Policy in order to raise achievement and
improve the quality of education provided.
To ensure the objectives of the Inclusion Policy are
reflected in the Academy’s planning and practice and that
effective systems are in place to screen for, identify and
meet needs and that these are co-ordinated, monitored,
evaluated and reviewed.
With the Principal, to ensure the Academy’s SEN register
is maintained accurately, that all identified students are
included and that clear plans for provision to meet their
needs are in place.

WESTMINSTER ACADEMY
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS COORDINATOR (SENCO)
To monitor the progress made in setting objectives and
targets for students with SEN, assist in the evaluation of
the effectiveness of teaching and learning, and use the
analysis to guide further improvement.
To advise the Principal and the Leadership Team on the
level of resources required to maximise the achievements
of students with SEN.
To liaise with and co-ordinate the contribution of external
agencies in order to ensure the best and most appropriate
support for student with SEN.
.
To analyse and interpret relevant national, local and
school data plus research and inspection evidence to
inform the Inclusion Policy, practices, expectations, targets
and teaching methods.
2 TEACHING
AND
LEARNING
To lead and support staff in developing appropriate
teaching and assessment strategies and learning
resources to meet the needs of SEN students and monitor
the effectiveness of this provision.
To co-ordinate in class support and ensure its
effectiveness in supporting staff and SEN students so that
needs are met.
With the Deputy SENCO, develop systems for monitoring
and recording progress made by students with SEN
towards the achievement of targets set.
To ensure appropriate specialist assessment of SEN
students and that this is used to support staff in planning
provision to meet these needs.
To work with students, subject leaders and class teachers
with tutorial/pastoral responsibilities to ensure that realistic
expectations of behaviour and achievements are set for
students with SEN during one to one sessions each week.
To support the improvement of literacy, numeracy and
information technology skills in the Academy to ensure
students with SEN benefit and achieve access to the
whole curriculum.
Identify and develop study skills to support students with

WESTMINSTER ACADEMY
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS COORDINATOR (SENCO)
SEN in their ability to work independently and learn more
effectively.
3. STUDENTS
AND PARENTS
To support staff in developing the understanding by
students with SEN of their duties, opportunities,
responsibilities and rights as citizens.
To support staff in tackling prejudice-based bullying and
discrimination and, in particular, recognising and dealing
with issues arising from SEN and/or disability.
With the multi-agency team and tutors, maintain effective
partnerships between parents and the Academy’s staff so
as to promote the learning of students with SEN and to
provide information to their parents/carers about targets,
achievements and progress.
With the multi-agency team and tutors, develop effective
liaison between schools and within the Academy and with
parents to ensure there is good continuity in terms of
support and progression in learning when students with
SEN transfer between schools or across key points of
transition.
4.
MANAGEMENT
OF STAFF AND
RESOURCES
Together with the Deputy SENCO, deploy, or advise the
Senior Leadership Team on the deployment, of staff
involved in working with students with SEN to ensure the
most efficient use of teaching and other expertise.
To liaise with Westminster and other LAs responsible for
funding statements of SEN for students in the Academy
and ensure all appropriate needs are identified and funded
and that the budget for statemented students is managed
effectively and in line with the Academy’s financial
procedures.
To lead and manage the Academy’s SEN team, ensuring
staff work effectively individually and as a team and that all
the Academy’s policies for staff support and development,
including performance management, are carried out
effectively as required.
To maintain and develop learning resources, including
information and communications technology, for students
with SEN and monitor their effectiveness to support the
meeting of all areas of identified need.

WESTMINSTER ACADEMY
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS COORDINATOR (SENCO)
5. OTHER
DUTIES
To advise, contribute to and, where appropriate, coordinate
the professional development of staff to increase
their effectiveness in responding to students with SEN,
providing support and training to trainee and newly
qualified teachers in relation to the standards for the award
of Qualified Teacher Status and standards for induction.
Undertake other appropriate duties as directed by the
Principal

WESTMINSTER ACADEMY
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS COORDINATOR (SENCO)
JOB TITLE: SENCO
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Information for candidates: The person specification provides an outline of the
experience, skills and abilities we expect the successful candidate to possess. You
should match your own skills, experience, and abilities to those listed below. Tell us
in what way you have carried out the criteria asked for. People with disabilities will
be offered an interview where they meet the Essential Criteria alone.
Criteria
Education/Qualifications:
1. General level of literacy and numeracy skills
2. Graduate
Essential
Where
relevant
Desirable
Where
relevant
Professional knowledge, skills and competences:
1. General level of ICT
2. Good verbal and non-verbal communication skills
3. Writing reports
Experience:
1. Working in an education environment
2. Working as part of a team
3. Working with students
4. Working with students with special needs
Philosophy and commitment:
1. An interest in educational issues
2. A belief that every one can benefit from, and has entitlement to,
high quality educational opportunities
3. A personal commitment to lifelong learning and continuous
professional development
4. Commitment to high standards, best value and continuous
improvement
5. A ’can-do’ approach and positive attitude to innovation and
change
Personal qualities:
1. Attention to detail
2. Confidence and good interpersonal and networking skills
3. Enthusiasm
4. Initiative and self-motivation
5. Flexibility, creativity and ability to think laterally
6. Stamina and a capacity for hard work
7. Effective time management skills
8. Ability to be reflective and self critical