SENCO

Applications are encouraged from ambitious professionals who share our vision and belief that all children can achieve remarkable success. We require highly committed educationalists who believe passionately about making a difference to the life of every student and who do so with integrity, humility, and relentless positivity.

If you have the desire to make a real difference to the lives of young people and want to join a team of highly dedicated staff, then we would love to hear from you.

About us

High Well School is a SEND school which caters for 9-16-year-olds with an Education Health & Care Plan for severe and profound social, emotional, and mental health needs as well as other learning difficulties. The school meets the needs of some of Wakefield’s most complex and vulnerable young people. We are a growing school on our journey to be outstanding.

Our team endeavours to provide a nurturing environment with personalised support and specialist teaching to enable all pupils to re-engage in learning, develop their social and emotional skills, and leave with not only appropriate qualifications but the skills required to succeed in life after school. This is reflected in our vision of‘Preparing for Positive Futures.’

We are seeking to appoint a talented and committed SENCO

The SENCO will:

• Be responsible for the SEND strategy and lead strategic oversight of provision across High Well School, including any satellite provision.
• Identify and adopt the most effective teaching approaches for pupils with SEND
• Monitor teaching and learning activities to meet the needs of pupils with SEND
• Identify and teach study skills that will develop pupils' ability to work independently
• Liaise with other schools to ensure continuity of support and learning when transferring pupils with SEND
• Set targets for raising achievement among pupils with SEND
• Collect and interpret specialist assessment data – eg Boxall Profiles
• Set up systems for identifying, assessing and reviewing SEND
• Update the Headteacher and governing body on the effectiveness of provision for pupils with SEND
• Develop understanding of learning needs and the importance of raising achievement among pupils
• Attend consultation events and keep parents informed about their child's progress
• Encourage all members of staff to recognise and fulfil their statutory responsibilities to pupils with SEND
• Provide training opportunities for learning support assistants and other teachers to learn about SEND
• Disseminate good practice in SEND across the school
• Identify resources needed to meet the needs of pupils with SEND and advise the Headteacher of priorities for expenditure
• Support the aims and ethos of the school
• Set a good example in terms of dress, punctuality and attendance
• Attend and participate in community activities and networking across the LA
• Uphold the school's behaviour code and uniform regulations
• Participate and lead in staff training
• Attend and run team and staff meetings
• Develop links with governors, LEAs and neighbouring schools
• Hold a NASENCo qualification, or similar
• Have a strong knowledge of SEMH needs and trauma informed approaches
• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils who may have experienced adversity
• Have experience supporting pupils with SEND, ideally within a specialist or SEMH context
• Primarily this role is non-teaching, with the understanding that flexibility is required as needed. The duties outlined in this job description are in addition to those covered by the latest School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document. These may be modified by the Headteacher, with your agreement, to reflect or anticipate changes in the job, commensurate with the salary and job title.

Application Forms and vacancy details may be requested by visiting our school website at www.highwellschool.org.uk

Visits to the school are highly recommended – please contact Hayley Brown 01924 572100 to arrange a time and date.

Prospective applicants should note that appointment will be subject to verification of qualifications and teacher status checks, satisfactory enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) with barred list check, two satisfactory references and evidence of the right to work in the United Kingdom.

Closing date: 30.11.2026 or before if sufficient applications are received

Interview date: 10.12.2026

Start date: 01.04.2027 earlier if possible