SENCO

About the role

Are you passionate about ensuring that children with additional needs receive the very best education and care they deserve in a mainstream school? 

Perhaps you are an existing SENCO who still has a classroom commitment or who’s time isn’t protected and would like to work in a school where your sole focus will be on your role and the impact your work will have.  

Perhaps you have extensive experience of working with children with a range of additional needs and you are ready to take the next step in your career. 

We would love you to join us as our SENCO, working 3 days per week, ideally Monday to Wednesday but we can be flexible. Our current SENCO is leaving us after 5 successful years to pursue a career away from school whilst using all the skills she has learned and honed during her time with us.

You may already hold the NASENCO award, or are prepared to undertake the mandatory NPQ SENCO qualification within the first term of commencing the role. You should consider how studying for this qualification can be carried out alongside your personal and professional commitments before applying.

We are a welcoming two form entry Infant and Nursery School with a good reputation for our inclusive provision and hold the Inclusion Quality Mark and are now considered a 'Flagship school for inclusion. We pride ourselves on being proactive and fostering effective relationships with children, their families and professionals to ensure positive outcomes for all.  

As an Infant and Nursery School, we are often the first people to speak with families about their child’s additional needs, therefore compassion, understanding and an ability to listen with care is essential, whilst having the knowledge of who to confidently refer and signpost to. 

It is a particularly exciting time at Holtsmere as we are currently in the process of setting up our own internal provision for a small group of children with EHCPs who are awaiting places at specialist provision. Our Blossom classroom will be run by an experienced teacher, assisted by 2 FTE experienced LSAs. Our new SENCO will support this new team to ensure that this provision is effective and successful.  

At Holtsmere we value our staff team and recognise that they need time, support and the correct tools to carry out their role. Our senior leadership team drive our inclusive approach and they will wholeheartedly support the successful candidate in settling in to the role and our school.  

If you would like to know more about the role at our school, we would strongly advise you to come and visit. Our Headteacher, Nicola O’Connell would love to show you our wonderful school and answer any questions you may have.  

An enhanced disclosure will be sought through the DBS as part of Hertfordshire County Council’s pre-employment checks.