PREP SCHOOLS SENCO CANDIDATE INFORMATION INDEPENDENT CO-ED DAY SCHOOL FOR AGES 2-18 Welcome to The King’s Foundation, Worcester Thank you for your interest in the role of Prep Schools SENCO The King’s Foundation is made up of three schools: King’s Senior School and two preparatory schools, King’s St Alban’s and King’s Hawford. Together, they form a vibrant and nurturing educational community. King’s Senior School educates approximately 850 pupils aged 11–18 on our stunning city-centre campus. Sharing this site is King’s St Alban’s, a thriving prep school for around 150 pupils aged 2–11. Just north of the city, in the beautiful Worcestershire countryside, King’s Hawford provides a dynamic learning environment for approximately 260 pupils aged 2–11. All three schools are united under a single governing body, ensuring a cohesive vision and shared values across the Foundation. At the core of the King’s Foundation is a steadfast commitment to delivering an outstanding education which is made possible by our exceptional staff. We are proud to foster a strong, supportive, and inclusive professional community built on trust, respect, and collaboration. Our Schools are exciting and rewarding places to work, and we are delighted that you are considering joining us. Our professional family includes a wide range of teaching and support roles, each playing a vital part in the life of our Foundation. Central to our ethos is a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, underpinned by excellent relationships between staff and pupils who are encouraged to work hard, play hard, and look after each other. Our search for the right candidate for this role is important to us, and we know it is important to you too. Please take the time to explore the details within this booklet. If this opportunity strikes a chord with you, we look forward to receiving your application, to meeting you in the weeks ahead, and—if successful—welcoming you to our community. Thank you for your interest in King’s Worcester. We hope this marks the beginning of a fulfilling and inspiring journey with us. Ben Charles Head of Foundation Job Description We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) to join our dynamic team at The King’s School, Worcester Foundation. In this role, the successful candidate will play a crucial part in ensuring the ongoing provision of high-quality support and interventions for children aged 2-11 who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This position requires a comprehensive understanding of SEND policies, strong leadership and organisational skills, and the ability to collaborate with various stakeholders to create an inclusive learning environment. This unique opportunity is split across our two Prep Schools, King’s Hawford and King’s St Alban’s. It will comprise of the working week spread across five days, with 2.5 days spent at King’s Hawford and 1.5 days at King’s St Alban’s, equating to a full time equivalent of 0.8. The Learning Support Department across the King’s Worcester Prep Schools is well resourced with access to excellent digital resources, books and equipment. The SENCO will be well supported by a number of Learning Support Teaching Assistants (LSTAs) working across the two sites. Duties and responsibilities Strategic Leadership • In conjunction with the Senior School SENCO, develop and implement the Foundation’s SEND Policy, ensuring compliance with current legislation and best practices. Recording and Assessment • Collaborate with the Prep School Senior Leadership Teams to integrate SEND strategies into day-to-day practice, and ongoing development planning. • Manage and advise on the department budget and resources for effective SEND provision. • Provide termly reporting to the governing body, through the Education Committee, on SEND provision and activity in the Prep Schools. Student Support • • Identify, assess, and review the needs of children with SEND, working closely with teachers, parents, and external agencies. Implement and monitor the effectiveness of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for children with specific learning requirements. • Provide guidance to teaching staff on effective and inclusive teaching practices, championing Quality First teaching at every stage. • Ensure the specific needs of any children with English as an additional language are met. • Actively promote and safeguard the welfare of all pupils, reporting any concerns in a timely manner. • Set targets for raising achievement among pupils with SEND and other groups as appropriate, in conjunction with academic leadership in the Prep Schools. • Collect and interpret specialist assessment and performance data and share with other staff as appropriate. • Set up systems for identifying SEND, and assessing and reviewing SEND provision. This includes creating and monitoring Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and provision maps with Class Teachers and Learning Support Teaching Assistants. • As necessary, prepare applications for EHCPs, including the co-ordination of and attendance at annual reviews. • Develop and maintain systems for keeping pupil records, ensuring information is accurate and up to date, including pupil profiles for specific children. • Maintain the SEND register. • Evaluate the effectiveness of provision including lesson observations, pupil voice and other quality assurance measures. Job Description Team Collaboration • Work closely with the Safeguarding Team when • Attend regular meetings with both Prep School Heads. • Work collaboratively with the Senior School SENCO, sharing best practice. concerns arise. • Contribute to the assessment of prospective pupils on their taster days. • Provide one-to-one support with individuals, small groups and classes as necessary. • Work collaboratively with the teaching and support staff to ensure a consistent and inclusive approach to learning for all children. Parental Engagement • Provide INSET and professional development opportunities for staff members to enhance their understanding of SEND issues, also liaising with external providers, to this end. • Be responsible for the leadership and management of learning support and dedicated pupil support staff, including their performance management. • Foster positive relationships with parents and guardians of children with SEND, keeping them informed about their child’s progress and involving them in decision-making processes. • Attend parents’ evenings in order to update and liaise with parents and guardians. External Collaboration • Keep up to date with national and local policies, including the code of practice related to SEND, and cascade information to colleagues, as appropriate. • Liaise with external agencies, including local authorities, educational psychologists, and health professionals, to access additional support services for children with complex needs. • Support teachers in implementing actions and interventions in the classroom, and ensure that these take place. • Stay abreast of developments in the field of SEND provision and maintain effective networks with relevant organisations. • Attend meetings with senior leaders as appropriate to discuss the needs and interventions of children in their care. Start date: 23rd February 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. Person Specification It is expected that the Prep Schools SENCO will demonstrate a range of qualities, skills and experience, as outlined below. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE Ability to deal with sensitive information in a confidential manner Creative ability Ability to work calmly and with patience A flexible approach to work and a ‘can do’ attitude Empathy with young people facing barriers to their learning. Excellent organisational and time management skills A professional attitude to work ESSENTIAL Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and additional qualifications in Special Educational Needs, Level 5 Diploma in SpLDs Substantial experience of working with children with SEND in a preparatory or primary school setting In-depth knowledge of current SEND legislation, the Equalities Act 2010, policies, and best practices A strong regard for children’s safety and well-being, proactively demonstrating an understanding of the importance of safeguarding processes and procedures DESIRABLE NASENCO/NPQ for SENCOs SKILLS AND QUALITIES ESSENTIAL A commitment to support the aims and ethos of the school and the King’s Foundation Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with children, parents, and colleagues Effective leadership skills, with a commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment Be an active and willing member of the school and classroom team A positive approach to working with children and the ability to motivate, inspire and build rapport Respect for diversity Safeguarding Responsibilities at King’s Worcester Safeguarding culture at King’s Responsibilities of the successful candidate As we strive to maintain an open culture of safe- guarding across the King’s Foundation, we: • Train our staff in safeguarding • Work in partnership with King’s families Liaise with external support agencies • Follow the four Rs: Recognise, Record, Report, • Refer Listen to pupils • Prioritise early intervention • • Encourage professional curiosity • Create a team around the child. Staff are advised to maintain an attitude of “it could be happening here and probably is” as far as safeguarding is concerned and should always act in the best interest of the child. All staff must: • Actively promote and safeguard the welfare of all pupils • Have proper regard for the Foundation’s Safeguarding Policy and related procedures • Report any concerns in a timely manner • Attend annual safeguarding training. The King’s Foundation is committed to safeguarding and meeting the needs of all children. What is safeguarding? Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as: • Protecting children from maltreatment. • Preventing impairment of children’s health or development. • Ensuring children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care. • Taking action to ensure all children have the best outcomes. (Definition from Keeping Children Safe in Education) Our commitment to safeguarding The King’s School, Worcester ensures that safeguarding is given the highest priority and actively promotes the well-being of pupils. Safeguarding and child protection are at the forefront of, and underpin all relevant aspects of, process and policy development. The Foundation’s safeguarding culture supports good practice and enables issues to be addressed promptly and appropriately in the best interests of the children. Application Process In order to provide our pupils with a well-rounded The King’s Foundation is committed to safeguarding and and enriched educational experience which is truly promoting the welfare of children and young people and representative of the world in which they grow up, the expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. King’s Foundation strives to place equity, diversity and Applicants will be required to undergo child protection inclusion at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that screening appropriate to the post including checks with we build a community which is truly representative of past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. all backgrounds and experiences. We believe that we Shortlisted applicants will be required to complete a will do that best if our employees come from different self-declaration form in relation to any criminal record or backgrounds and if we create an environment of inclusion information that may make you unsuitable to work with and belonging for them. children, and will be subject to an online search. All applications will be acknowledged and all applicants will be notified as to whether or not they have been invited to an interview. How to apply Candidates can choose to complete the TES online application form which can be found at: Successful applicants will be advised of the date and www.tes.com/jobs or to complete a downloadable time of the interview. References will be requested application form which can be found on the Current and candidates should be aware that referees will be Vacancies page of our website at www.ksw.org.uk/careers asked to comment on a candidate’s disciplinary record and then emailed to recruitment@ksw.org.uk and whether or not the candidate has been subject to Enquiries regarding the role can be sent to any child protection concerns. Proof of identity will be recruitment@ksw.org.uk required at interview. Candidates unsuccessful at interview will receive written notification. Start date: 23 February 2026, or as soon as possible Application deadline: 9am Monday 24th November 2025 The School is required to ensure that the successful thereafter candidate is checked by the Disclosure and Barring Please visit the vacancies page of the School website Service. Details of the School’s policies on safeguarding www.ksw.org.uk/careers to find out more about the and promoting the welfare of children as well as equal benefits of working at King’s and to hear why our staff love opportunities are available on request. References will being a member of the Foundation community. be obtained and verified prior to the appointment being confirmed.