SenCo / Head Teacher

Job Description for Head Teacher and  SENCO

Reports to:

Director of Care and Education

Responsible for:

Provide the vision and the professional leadership of the school to maintain its success and to ensure high quality education for all its pupils and continue to raise standards of achievement.

Promote the aims of the school through implementation of the policies of the school. Manage the resources and building so as to promote and secure the achievement of both pupils and staff. Provide a safe environment in which staff and pupils are enabled to achieve their full potential.  

Main Purpose:

Have a strategic view of successfully developing and improving the school.
Work in co-operation with the Director of Care and Education and House Registered Manager and relevant external agencies.
 

Main Activities:

TEACHING & LEARNING

Give a high priority to the further development of a wide range of teaching and learning opportunities.

Ensure that a system for monitoring and developing the quality assurance of teaching and learning is in place.

Ensure that statutory requirements for the varied curriculum are met.

Provide a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum. Have oversight of the curriculum, pastoral care and administration of the school all of which should be appropriate to the pupils’ experience, interests and aptitudes.

Promote the effective management of pupil behaviour.

Ensure that there is an effective assessment, recording and reporting system of pupil progress.

Monitor and evaluate the curriculum with the teachers

Encourage new developments in the curriculum in the context of local and national initiatives.

Ensure that the outcomes of Every Child Matters are embedded within the school.

LEADING AND MANAGING STAFF

Liaise with the directors in the recruitment and selection of teaching and support staff

Maximise the contribution of all staff to improving the quality of education provided and standards achieved.

Manage effectively the deployment and performance of all staff.

Ensure that the requirements for Performance Management are fully in place.

Create and maintain good working relationships amongst all members of the school community.

Sustain motivation.

Promote the school’s ethos in which the highest standards are expected from all members of the school community.

Ensure that professional duties are fulfilled as specified in the School Teachers job description.

Have a duty of care regarding staff welfare.

Encourage initiative and team work.

Liaise with representatives of teacher organisations.

EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE USE OF STAFF AND RESOURCES
 

Plan, manage and monitor the curriculum within the agreed budget, setting appropriate priorities for expenditure allocating funds and ensuring effective administration control.

Ensure the regular monitoring of the budget.

Ensure that financial regulations are adhered to.

Manage and organise accommodation efficiently and effectively to ensure that it meets the needs of the curriculum and health and safety requirements.

Ensure that the allocation and use of accommodation provides a positive learning environment that promotes the highest achievements for all.

Monitor and evaluate value for money.

Seek to secure adequate resources for the school.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Work closely with the Directors as appropriate.

Ensure that parents/ carers/ social workers and pupils are well informed about curriculum attainment and progress and are able to understand targets for improvement.

Develop and encourage working partnerships with parents/ carers/ social workers.

Develop and encourage good relations between the school and the local community

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Develop and encourage good relations between the school and other agencies including Social Services and Health professionals.

SENCO Duties
 

Teaching and learning

• Identify and adopt the most effective teaching approaches for pupils with SEN
• Monitor teaching and learning activities to meet the needs of pupils with SEN
• Identify and teach study skills that will develop pupils' ability to work independently maintaining routine personal pupil/staff timetables

Recording and assessment

• Set targets for raising achievement among pupils with SEN
• Collect and interpret specialist assessment data
• Set up systems for identifying, assessing and reviewing SEN
• Update and liaise with Directors on the effectiveness of provision for pupils with SEN
• Develop understanding of learning needs and the importance of raising achievement among pupils

Leadership

• Encourage all members of staff to recognize and fulfil their statutory responsibilities to pupils with SEN
• Disseminate good practice in SEN across the school
• Identify resources needed to meet the needs of pupils with SEN and advise the Directors of priorities for expenditure
• Establish sound focus for the week through start of week assemblies

Standards and quality assurance

• Support the aims and ethos of the school
• Set a good example in terms of dress, punctuality and attendance
• Attend team meetings and collate information at staff meetings

Person Specification for Head Teacher SENCO

Experience:

Experience of managing, developing, inspiring and motivating staff

Experience of financial management

Experience of working in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders

Experience of school self-evaluation (SEF)

Thorough understanding of new inspection framework

Experience of performance management, including new regulations

Experience in BKSB systems of assessment and learning

SENCO experience

Qualifications or Training:

A suitable management qualification specific to meeting the needs of children within the care system

Qualified Teacher Status or equivalent

Evidence of further up-to-date relevant training
 

Practical Skills:

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Be e-confident

Ability to interpret and implement new legislation, policies and initiatives

Ability to analyse information from a wide variety of sources and solve complex problems.

Ability to set appropriate targets for the improvement of school performance and how to establish, monitor and evaluate an action plan

Ability to demonstrate sound organisational skills, work under pressure and determine priorities to meet deadlines
 

Personal Qualities & Attributes:

High personal standards of honesty and integrity

Enthusiasm, vision, drive, adaptability and resilience

Be confident, positive and approachable

Commitment to continued personal and professional development

Advocate a sound educational philosophy, with the ability to translate into practice

Ability to create a learning culture which is recognised by staff, parents and pupils