SENCO | High-Achieving & Inclusive Secondary School | Barnet

CORE PURPOSE

We are seeking an empathetic, strategic Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) to lead and oversee the delivery of special educational needs provision across our school. Operating within a dedicated specialist setting, the successful candidate will manage Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) reviews, coordinate multi-agency provision, support teaching staff with high-leverage adaptive strategies, and ensure every pupil receives tailored support to achieve their full potential.

THE SCHOOL

Set in a modern campus with dedicated sensory suites and learning support hubs, this high-achieving secondary school serves a diverse community of over 1,200 pupils across North London. The school combines a strong tradition of academic excellence with an exceptionally nurturing, inclusive ethos. The inclusion department functions as a central operational hub where the SENCO leads a team of specialist Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) and Learning Support Assistants (LSAs). Utilizing cloud-based pupil tracking and SEN management tools, the department maintains seamless communication with local authority caseworkers, pastoral leaders, and parents to ensure robust statutory compliance and individual student success.

KEY TASKS & DAILY OPERATIONS

• Strategic Provision & Compliance: Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the school’s SEN strategy, ensuring full compliance with the SEND Code of Practice and statutory obligations.

• EHCP & Annual Review Management: Coordinate and chair EHCP annual reviews, liaising closely with local authority SEN caseworkers, parents, carers, and external agencies.

• Multi-Agency Leadership: Work collaboratively with speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, educational psychologists, and CAMHS teams to design and implement holistic support plans.

• Staff Guidance & Training: Provide high-quality professional development and coaching to teachers and support staff on adaptive teaching, positive behaviour support, and targeted interventions.

• Data & Progress Tracking: Monitor and evaluate the academic, social, and developmental progress of pupils with SEN, utilizing digital assessment tools to adjust intervention strategies effectively.

PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

• Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and the National Award for SEN Co-ordination (NASENCO) / NPQ for SENCOs (or willingness to complete within statutory timelines).

• Experience: Proven track record of successful teaching and SEN leadership, preferably within a secondary school, special school, or large mainstream inclusion department.

• Skills: Expert knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice, exceptional organizational skills, high emotional intelligence, and strong leadership capabilities.

REGIONAL CONTEXT

• Local Area & Community: Based in the prominent North London borough of Barnet, the school serves an ambitious, supportive, and diverse suburban community. Blending historic suburban charm with vibrant high streets and expansive open areas such as Hadleigh Woods and Trent Park, Barnet offers an exceptional environment for families and professionals alike.

• Transport & Commuting: Barnet benefits from outstanding transport connectivity, with immediate road access via the A1, A41, and M1 motorway corridor. Transit options are extensive, featuring comprehensive local bus routes and Northern Line Underground services (High Barnet, Totteridge & Whetstone, Edgware) alongside Thameslink and Great Northern rail stations, providing direct, swift access across London and Hertfordshire.

APPLICATION INTAKE

Please submit your current CV to begin the application process.