Outstanding Outcomes for All Post Title: SENCo Lead Practitioner L8-L11 Job Description Salary Leadership Group Spine from 8 - 12 Purpose: The SEN Lead practitioner, with the support of the Core Team and Governing body, takes responsibility for the day-to-day operation of provision made by the Academy for pupils with SEN and provides professional guidance in the area of SEN in order to secure high quality teaching and the effective use of resources to bring about improved standards of achievement of all pupils. Safeguarding To uphold the Academy’s Policies in respect of Safeguarding and Child Protection, and ensure the safety and well-being of all learners Line of Responsibility The SENCo Lead Practitioner is directly responsible to the Vice Principal – Inclusion. Main responsibilities related to post Development of SEN provision Ensure effective systems of communication, including feedback about pupils’ learning to inform future lesson planning. Monitoring the quality of SEN support/Partnership teaching (HLTAs & teachers) by establishing effective systems to identify and meet the needs of pupils, whilst ensuring that the systems are coordinated, evaluated and regularly reviewed. Specific responsibilities Up-to-date knowledge of National and local initiatives which may impact upon policy and practice. Progress and Achievement of Pupils To monitor the achievements, welfare and discipline of pupils, and to follow up the progress reviews, liaising with the pastoral team and parents/carers when appropriate. To liaise with subject departments, feeder schools particularly regarding transition, and external agencies such as Exam Boards, EP, Alternative Education providers etc. Teaching and Learning The SENCO Lead Practitioner will: Support and influence the whole Teaching and Learning policy to promote aspects of inclusive teaching with particular reference to Samuel Lister Academy. Leading CPD regularly and where appropriate for support staff, teaching staff and parents/carers Providing opportunities for observation of colleagues/visits to other schools in order to share best practice. Collect and interpret SEN assessment data gathered on pupils and use to inform practice. Work with pupils, subject leaders, class teachers and tutors to ensure they have a clear understanding of the needs of each child. Outstanding Outcomes for All Support developments and initiatives to improve standards in literacy and numeracy as well as access to the wider curriculum. Overseeing and monitoring the quality of Education Health and Care (EHC) plans and Academy Pupil Information Forms (PIFs) maintaining detailed information for subsequent meetings with parents. Develop systems for colleagues to monitor and record progress made by pupils with SEN towards the achievement of targets set in Academy Pupil Information Forms (PIFs). Review PIFs on a half termly basis with parents, pupils, teachers and agree and communicate new targets. Supporting and working in partnership with the Assistant Principal to meet statutory responsibilities for SEN statements and their Annual Review. Support the Annual Review meetings for statemented pupils. Leadership and Management To embed the SEN team vision. To lead the team and to be instrumental in planning for continual improvement and to make a contribution to the evaluation of the work of the team. To promote an atmosphere of continuing professional development and to share good practice with colleagues. Identifying the training needs of staff and organising/coordinating CPD to be delivered by other professionals. Disseminate procedural information such as recommendations of the code of practice or the Academy’s own SEN policy. Ensure the establishment of opportunities for SEN LSAs to review the needs, progress and targets of pupils with learning difficulties. Organise and coordinate the work of colleagues to ensure appropriate deployment of learning resources including ICT. Maintain existing resources and explore opportunities to develop or incorporate new resources from the wide range available within and externally to the Academy. Ethos and Culture Leading and Managing Staff The SENCO Lead Practitioner will Meet relevant staff to review progress of learners Work with individual teachers to develop, and monitor, plans to improve quality of teaching where required Manage the performance of staff in line with the Academy’s Appraisal Policy and plan and monitor the training and development of staff on all aspects of teaching and learning and by identifying and requesting INSET opportunities as necessary To support the professional development of all staff, including newly qualified teachers and initial teacher training pupils on SEN Practice Efficient and effective deployment of staff and resources External Links The SENCo Lead Practitioner will: Contribute to the creation of an effective family of schools sponsored by Bradford College Work with the ELT to promote the Academy’s engagement with the wider community Develop effective involvement of learners, parents and outside agencies in reviewing the progress of learners Work closely and in partnership with the ELT and Governors ensure the successful ongoing development of the Academy Work with the ELT to secure curriculum links with partner primary schools Outstanding Outcomes for All CPD Maximise opportunities for personal development by: Continuing to develop own professional knowledge and skills to support the development of the curriculum of the Academy Participating in INSET opportunities, both as a participant and leader of in house INSET sessions as required Participating in annual self reflection and Appraisal procedures identifying and requesting INSET opportunities as necessary To plan and monitor the coaching or and support for colleagues, in particular NQTs and new staff in the exercise of their responsibilities for teaching and learning Participating in collaborative work and the sharing of best practice General All Academy staff are expected to: Work towards and support the Academy’s vision and the objectives Support and contribute to the Academy’s responsibility for safeguarding students Work within the Academy’s health and safety policy to ensure a safe working environment for staff, students and visitors Work within the Academy’s Community Cohesion and Race Relations Policies to promote equality of opportunity for all students and staff, both current and prospective Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and positive, courteous relations with students, parents and colleagues Engage actively in the performance review process Adhere to Academy policies and procedures as set out in the staff handbook or other documentation available to all staff This job description should be seen as enabling rather than restrictive and will be subject to regular review.