Job Introduction
SENCO
Permanent, Full Time
Main Pay Range: £32,916 to £45,352 p.a.
(Upper Pay Range considered)
Plus TLR 2b of £5,876 p.a.
Start Date: 1 September 2026 or 1 January 2027
(Dependent on availability)
Portchester Community school is seeking a highly motivated and dynamic SENCo to join our growing Learning support team from September 2026 or January 2027. The post is suitable for a qualified, experienced SENCo, or an experienced teacher with a passion for inclusion who is willing to complete the National Professional Qualification for SEN Co-ordination.
The successful candidate will join the department at a pivotal time of growth and development. Supporting the Lead SENCo, they will contribute to the strategic leadership and operational management of the department, helping to shape its future direction. The role also includes teaching responsibilities.
Portchester Community school is a highly inclusive school with a Resourced Provision for pupils with physical disabilities. We are a growing 11 – 16 comprehensive school. Graded ‘good’ by Ofsted in our most recent inspection (January 2024) and graded as ‘outstanding’ for Personal Development. We pride ourselves in being highly inclusive and pupil focused. We were awarded the prestigious National SMSC Quality Mark Gold Award, for the second time in April 2024. We are very proud of our pupils and their achievements.
As the SENCo, you will have responsibility for leading, developing and maintaining a high standard of provision for learners with SEN/D, ensuring that the standards of attainment and achievement are high and that all pupils make sustained progress.
The role includes developing and implementing strategies to ensure that all pupils, including those with special educational needs, medical needs, difficulties or disabilities have access to a full range of curriculum provision and resources. In addition, you will be responsible for staff line management, managing and maintaining the school’s SEN Register and ensuring that the legal and statutory requirements for pupils are met effectively.
You will contribute to staff training, monitor and evaluate SEN provision and ensure strategies are adopted to ensure high quality teaching and learning.
We offer:
- An established and comprehensive induction programme.
- A strong commitment to professional development.
- Excellent support from the Local Authority SEN team.
- A working environment focused on improving teaching and learning for all.
- A positive and stimulating school environment which values the contribution of all staff.
We are looking for a leader with:
- Evidence of excellent classroom practice.
- A passion about improving outcomes for all pupils.
- High expectations of pupil attainment and behaviour.
- An excellent understanding of the SEN Code of practice and its implementation.
- An excellent understanding of introducing and implementing appropriate curricula.
- A clear use of data and information to drive provision.
- A commitment to inclusive education.
- Excellent communication skills.
- High levels of emotional literacy.
If you feel you have the skills and drive to add to our SEN team and the school as a whole, please apply by application form. This can be found on the school website: www.portchester.hants.sch.uk/vacancies
Anyone wishing to visit the school is welcome to contact Mrs Y Boxall via recruitment@portchester.hants.sch.uk or by calling 023 9236 4399.
Completed application forms should be returned to recruitment@portchester.hants.sch.uk
Closing Date: Friday 26 June 2026
Shortlisting: 29/30 June 2026
Interviews: 6/7 July 2026
Start Date: 1 September 2026/1 January 2027 (dependent on availability)
We are an equal opportunities employer.
Online searches will form part of the pre-employment checks on shortlisted candidates.
This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 because it is a post which involves working directly with children or young people. Applicants shortlisted
for interview are therefore required to declare whether they have any criminal convictions (or cautions or bind-overs) including those which are ‘spent.’ The amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’ and are not subject to disclosure. This means that they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Disclosure and Barring Service website.
Safer Recruitment
Portchester Community School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful applicants will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
