Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)

About the Role

The SENCO will work closely with the Principal and Vice Principal to raise educational achievement by leading and coordinating provision for students of determination across the whole school. SENCO will ensure strategic development of the school's Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision and oversee the day-to-day operation of that policy with the aim of raising student of determination achievement.

In addition, whole-school teaching and learning responsibility in the area of Inclusion, with a focus on SEN/ EAL and G&T provision, transition and the tracking of vulnerable groups.

Responsibilities

• Ensure effective systems of communication, including feedback about students’ learning.
• Regular updates of the SEF, IEP and SIP with teachers.
• Monitor the quality of SEN support by establishing effective systems to identify and meet the needs of students, whilst ensuring that the systems are coordinated, evaluated, and regularly reviewed.
• Ensure that the objectives of the SEN policies are reflected in the school improvement plan.
• Be up to date with knowledge of international, UAE, KHDA, SPEA, MoE and local initiatives which may impact upon School policies and practice.
• Monitor the achievements, welfare, and discipline of students, and follow up on the progress reviews, liaising with the senior leadership team, HODs, and parents when appropriate.
• Liaise with Heads of departments, particularly regarding transition (from KGs to elementary, and from elementary to middle school and to reach to secondary school), and external agencies such as Exam Boards etc.
• Coordinate the application for, and special arrangements of external examinations in conjunction with the Assessment Coordinator.
• Influence the whole Teaching and Learning policy to promote aspects of inclusive teaching.
• Provide opportunities for observation of colleagues/ class visits in order to share best practice.
• Meet and communicate with parents on a regular basis to keep them up to date on their child’s progress.
• Liaise with classroom/ subject teachers and Heads of Department regarding the referral process and teacher intervention plans.
• Modify the exams as per the student's needs and portfolios.

Qualifications

• A minimum of bachelor's degree in Special Education or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience:A minimum of 3 - 5 years experience working in teaching and dealing with Students of Determination.
• Skills and Knowledge:
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Excellent presentation skills, typing emails and drafting exams.
• Excellent with data analysis.
• Able to multitask and cope with a degree of pressure at peak times.
• Demonstrate ability to organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up assignments with minimum direction.
• Experience in using MS Office and other educational systems, advanced MS Excel skills will be an added advantage.