SEN Department Lead

The Role

Your career #EMATters! We are currently recruiting for a SEN Department Lead who thinks beyond the classroom. We are an organisation that recognises and values its diverse workforce. Join us at EMAT to be part of a team that values innovation, inclusivity, and impact.

About EMAT

EMAT is an exciting, innovative, and growing organisation where we strive to do things differently, aligned with our core values and purpose: that every child deserves to be the best they can be. Our Trust was incorporated in July 2012 to establish, maintain, manage, and develop academies and free schools as world-class centres of excellence. We are a collaborative partnership that currently includes an all-through school in Northampton, a secondary school in Oundle, and five primary schools in Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes. By working for our Trust, you’ll be able to take advantage of a wealth of professional development and support opportunities, as well as a range of employee benefits.

These include:

• Continuous professional development and training opportunities.
• Career and leadership opportunities within our growing family of schools.
• A confidential 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
• A corporate eye care plan.
• Flu jabs for all staff.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Access to health and wellbeing benefits, including an online GP.
• Access to an employee lifestyle savings platform.
• Generous family leave.

About the School

Orchard is a three-form entry junior school on the Springfield Estate in Milton Keynes with capacity for 360 children across KS2, with a twenty-pupil place social communication department for pupils at both Orchard and Shepherdswell.

 As a school we are keen to develop talent and provide the necessary support in order that staff can achieve their aspirations and goals, and there are a wide range of learning opportunities to develop these skills.

General Roles and Responsibilities:

Orchard and Shepherdswell Academy are looking for a SEN Department Lead with dedicated time to complete the role. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking to develop their career and be a part of SLT to continue to drive improvement.

Our SEN department Aspen, is a twenty-place social communication provision situated within Orchard. Children from four years old to eleven years old, access the provision with a range of social communication needs. These include pre-formal, semi-formal and formal learners.

We are looking for someone who shares our vision and ethos to join our amazing team.

The successful candidate will support the SENDCo in sharing their expertise more widely within the mainstream provision, supporting staff to ensure that the adaptations of the curriculum are embedded across the school. The teaching of interventions, in order to close the gap for SEND pupils, will also be a requirement of the role.

They should hold qualified teacher status and have led a subject or initiative across the whole school. They should be an advocate for the children and families in our school, be able to work as part of a team and adapt to meet the needs of the pupils in Aspen, with a strong knowledge of Autism and social, communication needs and strategies.

They should also be willing to support both the children and staff within the schools and social communication department to be the best they can be, by leading and being part of the team, and have had experience of a coaching model. They must also have a clear understanding of safeguarding and be prepared to become a DDSL.

For more information or an informal conversation, please contact hrqueries@emat.uk.

A Note for Recruitment Agencies

We have a team of internal recruiters, and we advertise our vacancies to attract candidates and not agency suppliers. If we need agency assistance, then we will reach out to our trusted partners. Any speculative CVs we receive will not be accepted as an introduction.

EMAT reserves the right to withdraw this advert early if a suitable candidate is found.

EMAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). References will be taken up before interviews are offered.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, or age.