SENCO - Valley Academy

Valley Academy is looking to appoint a SENCO to join our academy in April 2026 on a full‑time, permanent basis. In this role, you will carry out the duties of the SENCO with teaching responsibilities.

• Determine the strategic development and implementation of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) policy and provision in the academy.
• Be responsible for the day‑to‑day operation of the SEN policy and coordination of specific provision to support individual students with SEN or a disability.
• Hold Qualified Teacher Status and be expected to fulfil the responsibilities of a teacher as set out in the STPCD.
• Complete the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinators, or from September 2024, the NPQ for SENCOs within three years of appointment to the post.
• Ensure that the academy carries out its statutory responsibilities regarding all students with SEN or a disability.
• Model the vision and values of the academy.
• Recognise, promote, and celebrate diversity.

Are you looking for a role that will enable you to influence and give direction to the children in your classes? Do you want to work for a Trust that is transforming educational outcomes for students in some of the most deprived areas in the North of England? If so, this could be the role for you.

It’s an exciting time to join Valley Academy, as in early 2026 we merged with Delta Academies Trust. We’re looking forward to the benefits of being part of a collaborative and supportive environment, and the opportunities for both our students and staff this will bring.

We’re a small secondary academy with approximately 375 students on roll, across both KS3 and KS4. Our class sizes are smaller, which allows staff to know all students across the academy. We’re based in central Bradford, next to Bradford City Football Club. Our modern site is well equipped to offer a rich, broad and balanced curriculum to all our students.

In Summer 2025, we celebrated our best ever GCSE outcomes, and we were recognised as one of the most improved schools in the country (top 0.38%) including the 3rd most improved in English & Maths at grade 5 and above. This also placed us within the top ten for GCSE results within secondary schools in Bradford.

Students are at the heart of everything we do and, as such, our team is passionate about delivering the highest quality education and creating a culture where children feel safe and can thrive in a happy learning environment. We believe that every child deserves to maximise their potential, regardless of their starting point, background or personal circumstances, and we are extremely proud of our diverse and inclusive community.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post. However, if we receive a high volume of applications, we may limit the numbers of interviews offered to people with and without a disability.

Interview date:
Week commencing 23 February 2026. In accordance with the DfE Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022, an online search will be completed on all shortlisted applicants prior to interview. Any relevant information will be discussed further with the applicant during the recruitment process.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding the welfare of its students and the successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate and checks of the relevant barred list / prohibition lists. Delta Academies Trust undertakes to treat all applicants for posts fairly and not to discriminate unfairly against volunteers or paid staff who voluntarily reveal that they have a criminal conviction.

Equally, we will not discriminate unfairly against volunteers or paid staff where a Disclosure and Barring Service check reveals a criminal conviction or other information about offences. Therefore, we will consider job applicants who have a criminal record based on their skills, abilities, experience, knowledge and, where needed, qualifications and training. However, our approach depends on the job, and whether it is covered by, or exempt from, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

We are a Disability Confident employer. Please read about Disability Confident for more details.