Job Description:

A proposed independent special school is seeking an experienced and motivated SENCO/SEND Teacher to lead its SEND provision while remaining closely involved in teaching and learning. This is an opportunity to play a key leadership role in a developing specialist setting, helping to establish effective systems and support positive outcomes for pupils.

The successful candidate will oversee EHCP coordination, SEND assessment, provision mapping and multi-agency collaboration, alongside designated safeguarding and attendance responsibilities and wider teaching and learning quality assurance.

Role Overview

• Location: Hammersmith, London

• Contract: Full-time, permanent, subject to registration and opening arrangements

• Age Range: 8–16 years

• Salary: £56,000–£65,000 per annum, depending on qualifications and leadership experience

• Proposed Start Date: 1 December 2026, subject to DfE registration and confirmed opening arrangements

• Qualification: QTS/QTLS required; SENCO NPQ or valid NASENCO/legacy qualification strongly preferred

• Reporting to: Headteacher

The Role

You will lead the school's SEND provision, ensuring EHCP outcomes are translated into effective classroom support, clear targets and meaningful progress reviews. Responsibilities will include coordinating annual reviews, overseeing pupil assessment and provision mapping, and working closely with families, local authorities and external professionals.

Alongside your SENCO duties, you will take on designated safeguarding and attendance responsibilities, supporting the effective management of concerns, records, referrals and attendance monitoring. You will also contribute to whole-school quality assurance by reviewing teaching and learning, providing developmental feedback and coaching colleagues.

The position includes line management of agreed areas of the school, as delegated by the Headteacher, and involvement in school improvement planning and inspection readiness.

Requirements

Essential:

• QTS/QTLS and successful teaching experience.

• Strong knowledge of EHCP processes, SEND assessment, provision planning and annual reviews.

• Experience supporting pupils with complex SEND and coordinating with families and multi-agency professionals.

• Strong safeguarding knowledge and the ability to manage concerns, records and appropriate escalation.

• Ability to monitor attendance, identify patterns of concern and coordinate appropriate follow-up.

• Experience of, or readiness to lead, teaching and learning quality assurance, including lesson observations, learning walks and work scrutiny.

• Confidence leading and supporting colleagues, providing constructive feedback and managing agreed areas of responsibility.

Desirable:

• SENCO NPQ, valid NASENCO or equivalent legacy qualification.

• Experience in an independent special school, special school or alternative provision setting.

• Experience with accredited learning pathways.

• Experience training or coaching staff.

What the Setting Offers

• Very small classes, allowing staff to build strong relationships with pupils and understand their individual needs.

• The opportunity to help shape a developing school's systems, curriculum and culture.

• A focus on safeguarding, SEND support and professional development.

• Close collaboration with families and a range of external professionals.

About UCM Education

UCM Education specialises in placing teachers and support staff in schools and nurseries throughout the UK. We are an Equal Opportunities employer committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment.

Please note: due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates may be contacted.

Apply Now

If you have the relevant teaching and SEND leadership experience and are interested in helping shape a developing specialist setting, please submit your CV for consideration.

Important Information: This is a proposed independent special school, with its DfE registration application pending. Any appointment and proposed start date are subject to successful registration, satisfactory safer-recruitment checks and confirmed opening arrangements. The successful candidate will be required to complete the relevant statutory safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS and barred-list checks where applicable.