Jobs in Biddenden

Job Description
Assistant to Head of Learning Support (Assistant SENCo)
 
Responsible to:  Head of Learning Support (SENCo) and, through them, the Headmaster

Responsible for:

The Assistant to the Head of Learning Support (Assistant SENCo) will support with the strategic development, coordination, and delivery of high-quality SEND provision within an independent boarding school specialising in dyslexia and related specific learning difficulties. The role requires a strong understanding of EHCP processes, excellent communication with fee-paying parents and Local Authorities, and a commitment to inclusive, evidence-based practice.
 
The Assistant SENCo will work closely with the Head of Learning Support to ensure efficient coordination of SEND processes, accurate record keeping, and effective communication with parents, staff, and external agencies. A key focus of the role will be to lead on the preparation, tracking, and submission of Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) paperwork and Annual Reviews (including leading annual review meetings as allocated by the Head of Learning Support).
 
Hours of work/location:   Termtime: 3 days per week, 8.30am to 4.30pm Outside Termtime: 11 INSET days plus a further 11 days during school holidays
 
Key Responsibilities:
 
Administrative Support:

Provide comprehensive administrative support to the Head of Learning Support and wider Learning Support team.
Maintain up-to-date records of students with EHCPs on the school's management information system (e.g., SIMS).
Prepare correspondence, reports, and documentation relating to students, including Individual Education Plans (IEPs), provision maps, and support plans.
Provide administrative support with the Learning Support Department email inbox and respond to routine queries from parents, staff, and external agencies; escalating queries to colleagues within he department and the Head of Learning Support as required.
Organise meetings and appointments for Annual Reviews, multi-agency meetings, and parent consultations - in liaison with the Head of Learning Support.
Provide administrative support to the Advisory Support Team (FAST), including liaising with schools, parents, and external agencies, processing assessment documentation, scheduling assessments, support, and training, and distributing reports.
Provide administrative support for external conferences organised by the College including, but not limited to, bookings, speakers, delegate packs etc..
Provide administrative support to the Head of Learning Support to ensure effective evidencing of criteria relating to external inspections e.g. Ofsted, ISI, Crested etc.
EHCP Coordination:

Support the administrative processes related to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) annual review documentation.
Assist in the implementation, review, and monitoring of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), ensuring statutory requirements are met.
Liaise with the Local Authority, external professionals, and families to ensure all EHCP paperwork is accurate, completed on time, and compliant with statutory requirements.
Maintain a detailed EHCP tracker to monitor deadlines and actions, ensuring the Head of Learning Support is informed of key dates and updates.
Collate evidence and reports from teachers and professionals for EHCP reviews.
Support transition planning for students with EHCPs, including liaison with feeder and destination schools.
Support the Head of Learning Support with EHCP and Annual Reviews, including paperwork, reports, meetings, and follow-up actions.
To lead Annual Reviews as requested by Head of Learning Support.  
**This is subject to change depending on the outcome of expected national changes in SEND legislation
 
Data and Record Management:

Ensure SEND data is accurate, secure, and compliant with GDPR under the guidance of the Head of Learning Support.
Support the Head of Learning Support, as required, with data analysis for SEND reporting, audits, and inspection preparation (e.g., Ofsted, Local Authority reviews).
Maintain an efficient filing system (electronic and paper-based) for all SEND documentation.
Archive in line with school policies and procedures.
Ensure the Head of Learning Support has accurate assessment data and information relating to individual students in preparation for meetings and parent consultation evenings.
Communication and Liaison:

Be a key point of contact for parents and carers of students, providing clear and timely communication.
Act as a primary point of contact for schools, external agencies, and parents accessing the traded inclusion advisory service (FAST).
Liaise with external agencies such as educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, and local authority SEND officers.
Communicate sensitively and professionally with parents, including fee-paying families and those with LA-funded placements.
Support meetings with parents to discuss child's progress, provision, and outcomes.
Build positive, trusting relationships with students, advocating for their needs and promoting independence and self-esteem.
In conjunction with the Head of Learning Support, with wider input from the school team, lead internal Annual Reviews for students who do not hold EHCPs.
Access Arrangements:

To work alongside the Head of Learning Support and the Deputy Head (Academic) to ensure applications for Examination Access Arrangements are made in a timely manner.
Support the Head of Learning Support and the Deputy Head (Academic) to ensure all approved arrangements (e.g., extra time, readers, scribes, rest breaks) are correctly recorded and implemented.
Support the Head of Learning Support to maintain accurate and confidential records of access arrangements in line with JCQ and GDPR requirements.
Intervention and Study Skills:

To work with the Head of Learning Support and Deputy Head (Academic) on: developing the study skills curriculum: resources, schemes of work, and assessment.
To deliver whole class study sessions.
Develop and implement individualised intervention plans, liaising with specialist teachers, therapists, therapy assistants, and teaching assistants to ensure effective delivery.
Support school-wide initiatives promoting accessibility, inclusion, and wellbeing.
General:

To participate in appropriate meetings with colleagues, parents, students, and other professionals as required. 
To keep up to date with, comply with, and fully implement, school policies and procedures. 
Build and maintain strong, positive, and respectful relationships with students, colleagues, and parents. 
Demonstrate care, empathy, and consistency in interactions with students.  
To undertake pastoral duties such as break duty, PSHE support (as appropriate), assemblies.  
To ensure that the School's Behaviour Management Policy and procedures are implemented at all times. 
To play a full and active part in the life of the College as an independent boarding school at all times including extra-curricular activities. 
Model high standards of professional behaviour at all times. 
To play an active part on promoting the school ethos, mission, vision, and values. 
Flexibility in order to fully support the operational and strategic needs of the school. 
To undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by the Headmaster or Deputy Heads. 
To perform any other key tasks which the Headmaster may reasonably assign.
Safeguarding:
 
The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All employees are required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). This will give details of all spent and unspent convictions and other recordable matters