Senco

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!

We are looking for an experienced SENCo for our New Options Autism School – River Mill School in Stratford St, Mary, Suffolk. 

• Up to £45,000 per annum, depending on experience (not pro rata) 
• 37.5 hours per week; Monday to Friday
• Permanent, Term Time only
• UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

About the role

Enjoy a rewarding education career and have a real impact on pupil’s lives. Join an amazing team making our schools and classrooms supportive, enriching places where vulnerable pupil and young people achieve far more than they ever expected.

As a SENCo you will work with the Headteacher and therapy team to determine the strategic development of the SEND policy. 

• Provide professional guidance to colleagues and liaise and work with staff, parents, and other agencies to make sure that pupils with SEN receive appropriate support and high-quality teaching. 
• Advise on the graduated approach to providing SEN support and differentiated teaching methods appropriate for individual pupils.
• Supporting pupils with complex communication needs, autism and associated learning and emotional needs is important and rewarding work, and you will benefit from the tremendous support offered by our hugely experienced teams.

 As you help our pupils and young people achieve real and significant progress, you will enjoy having a direct, positive impact on their developing lives.

Who we are looking for

We are looking to welcome an outstanding, innovative and determined SENCo to be responsible for the strategic leadership development of Special Education Needs provision with the tenacity to turn ideas into reality. You should therefore have demonstrable experience in improving the quality of provision in an area you have led, in either a middle or senior leadership role, with a proven record of impact regarding SEN and success in achieving progress for disadvantaged students as well as strategic vision and commitment.

You would be an integral part of the Leadership Team, providing a high level of strategic, managerial and operational direction for the school, particularly in relation to the Quality of Education and will have the opportunity to impact significantly on the future direction and outcomes of the school.  

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate excellent management, inter-personal and organisational skills with an ability to support teams in working together, showing commitment to ensuring equality of opportunity and accountability for all.  

About us

Our New Options Autism School will cater for pupils aged 5 to 11 with complex educational needs, communication difficulties and challenging behaviour primarily with a diagnosis of ASD. The school will have capacity for 72 pupils and is due to open Easter 2025. 

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. 

We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism? 

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support. 

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 

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