SENDCo

Location: Tokers Green, Reading, Berkshire/Oxfordshire border

Contract Type: Part-time, Maternity Cover Fixed Term Contract until 30th April 2027

Hours: 24 hours per week

Salary: £32,916 - £47,472 p.a. (M1- UPS1) prorata**

Start date: As soon as possible

About Aurora Rowan School

Opened in November 2024 in Tokers Green, Reading, Aurora Rowan School supports children aged 5–16 with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), moderate to severe learning needs, and associated challenges. As part of the Aurora Group, we are committed to creating a nurturing, inclusive environment where every child is valued and supported.

We’re looking for team members who:

• Value and listen to children

• Promote positivity and mutual respect

• Communicate calmly and supportively

• Work closely with families and the wider community

• Understand the importance of love, security, creativity, and involvement in a child’s development

Opportunity

We are currently looking to recruit an experienced SENDCo to join our team on a fixed term contract. Your role is to act as a member of the school leadership team and provide outstanding Special Education Needs (SEN) provision and oversight of the day-to-day operation of that policy with the aim of raising SEND student achievement.

All of our education is through play based learning that will always be guided by and built around each individual and their strengths, challenges, and interests, combining elements of different approaches and frameworks as appropriate.

Key accountabilities:

• Model a neuro-informed and neuro-affirmative approach and practice to all staff.

• Ensure that the school carries out its statutory responsibilities in accordance with each student EHCP and their defined SEND assessment.

• Overseeing the day-to day operation of a school’s special education policy.

• In relation to each students EHCP and defined SEND assessment, coordinate and deploy the school’s provision with regard to its policies, staffing and resources.

• Communicate with parents/carers, school employees, other agencies, and local authorities on the progress of students and the effectiveness of intervention and support strategies.

• Ensure that there is an integrated approach to the school’s SEND provision generally and for specific students.

• Exercise a key role in advising and assisting the Head teacher with the strategic development of SEND policy and provision, including reviewing, and formulating policies.

• Liaise with the Pastoral lead to identify appropriate therapeutic support.

• Prepare information and carry out annual statutory reviews or specific case conferences.

• Promote best practice and contribute to the aims and ethos of the school through inset and CPD for new teachers.

• To keep abreast of developments in SEND (e.g., research, changes to the law) and inform SLT and Head where appropriate.

• To undertake any reasonable task requested by the Headteacher. This will include covering lessons operationally required to do so.

Duties will vary, you must expect to diversify and lend a hand wherever is required. Please see the link below for our full :

Skills and Qualifications

Successful candidate qualities:

• PGCE, QTS, or equivalent teaching qualification and evidence of in-service training

• SENDCo qualification or experience of the role.

• Relevant knowledge and experience of students with SEND, especially experience of ASC and associated conditions.

• Have successfully implemented a range of interventions.

• Understanding of the Safeguarding principles and Child Protection procedures

• Experience of managing a range of approaches to behaviour.

Benefits and Additional Information

What’s on Offer at Aurora?

We believe in supporting you as much as we support the children and young people in our care. Here’s a snapshot of the fantastic benefits waiting for you:

Grow with Us – Training & Development

Learning never stops at Aurora! We offer a wide range of training programmes and career development opportunities to help you build your skills and reach your goals.

Save Money on Everyday Essentials

With the rising cost of living, our Perkbox app helps you stretch your money further:

• Discounts on groceries, phone plans, internet, dining out, gym memberships & more

• Access to our Cycle to Work and Car Scheme

Access Wagestream – a financial wellbeing app that helps you track earnings, save, get expert money advice, and even access part of your pay early when needed

Competitive Pay & Reward

We regularly benchmark our pay and benefits to stay ahead of the curve. You’ll enjoy:

• Enhanced Annual Leave

• Company Sick Pay

• Enhanced Pension

• Life Assurance

24/7 GP Access – For You & Your Household

Need a doctor? No problem. Book a phone or video appointment anytime, day or night. This service covers everyone in your household.

UK Health Cash Plan

Cover everyday healthcare costs like dental and optician bills. You and your children are included in the scheme, and you can upgrade to add your partner too!

Employee Assistance Programme

Your wellbeing matters. Get confidential support on a wide range of issues, including:

• Freephone counselling (available 24/7)

• Online tools and resources

Refer a Friend – Earn £1,000!

Know someone who’d be a great fit? Refer them and get rewarded!

(*Terms apply)

How to apply :

For candidates that haven’t worked in this sector before please be aware that for regulatory reasons the application process is far more detailed and thorough compared to other sectors.

Please complete the online application form in full, including all employment and education details, and provide a personal statement that makes us keen to speak to you.

If you need any assistance or would like any more information, please contact Liz in the Aurora Group Recruitment Team at [email protected]

** Within Aurora we support teacher professional development by offering Upper Pay Scale both to teachers joining the company and through our internal professional development and performance management process.

To be offered a role on Upper Pay Scale we will expect you to:

• provide evidence that you are already receiving an Upper Pay Scale salary.

• Hold specific allocated responsibility, once you have completed your induction, that contributes to whole school improvement including the overall raising of standards in the school and demonstrate their ongoing commitment to their own CPD.

Details of the relevant area of responsibility will be discussed with you at interview and further when you join the company.

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.

This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled.

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.