Head of SEND

The Head of SEND, as a Senior Leader, will support the Whole Academy Inclusion Lead in the strategic leadership of SEND and provide professional and operational leadership for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across the academy, promoting an inclusive culture and ensuring that students with SEND achieve ambitious academic, personal and social outcomes. The Head of SEND will work with teachers, support staff, families and external agencies to secure high-quality adaptive teaching, effective provision and positive outcomes for all students with SEND.

The Head of SEND will provide professional leadership for SEND, monitor the impact of provision, promote high standards of teaching and learning, and support the effective deployment of resources to improve student achievement, attendance, wellbeing and preparation for the next stage of education, employment or adulthood. This role would be suited to either an experienced Primary or Secondary SENDCo.

Applicants should be hardworking, enthusiastic and committed to delivering high-quality education for students in Years 7 to 13. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the postholder will contribute to whole-school leadership, academy improvement and the effective day-to-day operation of the school.

The Head of SEND will provide professional and operational leadership for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across the academy, ensuring that students with SEND receive high-quality provision and achieve ambitious academic, personal and social outcomes. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the postholder will contribute to whole-school leadership, academy improvement and the effective day-to-day operation of the school.

• Act as the academy's designated SENDCo and fulfil all statutory responsibilities in accordance with the SEND Code of Practice.
• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of the academy's SEND strategy, policy and provision.
• Contribute to SEND priorities within the academy's Inclusion Strategy and Framework and ensure their effective implementation and evaluation.
• Have day-to-day responsibility for coordinating provision for students with SEND and maintaining the academy's SEND Register.
• Promote a culture of inclusion, high expectations and equality of opportunity for all students.
• Ensure compliance with the SEND Code of Practice, the Equality Act 2010 and relevant statutory guidance.
• Advise senior leaders and trustees on SEND matters, legislation and best practice.
• Ensure the academy's SEND Information Report and statutory documentation remain compliant and up to date.

• Ensure specialist assessment information and external professional recommendations are translated into clear, practical classroom strategies and appropriate provision for staff to implement.
• Lead and quality assure the identification, assessment and support of students with SEND through the graduated approach, including staff referrals, screening, assessment and liaison with relevant pastoral, attendance and external professionals.
• Ensure identified needs translate into appropriate APDR, provision and reasonable adjustments.
• Coordinate provision for students receiving SEND Support and those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), including requests for statutory assessment and annual reviews.
• Oversee SEND provision and interventions across the academy, ensuring they are matched to identified need and have clear entry and exit criteria, baseline measures, intended outcomes and review points.
• Maintain and quality assure the SEND provision map and monitor the impact of interventions, staffing and LSA deployment, adapting provision where it is not securing sufficient progress or independence.
• Provide SEND leadership and operational support within Achievement Pathway, Achievement Pathway+, Reflection Room and The Lighthouse, ensuring students receive appropriate provision and reasonable adjustments, and reviewing patterns of engagement, dysregulation or repeated use of these provisions to identify unmet or changing needs and inform appropriate next steps.
• Work with teachers and leaders to ensure high-quality adaptive teaching and effective curriculum access for all students with SEND.
• Ensure all teachers understand and fulfil their responsibility for the progress and outcomes of students with SEND.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of SEND…