DOLPHIN SCHOOL LOVE WISDOM TRUTH

RECRUITMENT

PACK

S E N C O / C L A S S T E A C H E R E N H A N C E D P R O V I S I O N ( F U L L T I M E )

INDEPENDENT CO-ED EDUCATION FOR 2-11 YEARS

NURSERY Noah’s Ark Dolphin Noah’s Ark Westside 2-4 yrs
RECEPTION Reception 4-5 yrs

LOWER SCHOOL Year 1&2 (KS1) 5-7 yrs
UPPER SCHOOL Year 3-6 (KS2) 7-11 yrs

About Us

As Headteacher of Dolphin School, I am incredibly proud to share the outcome of our most recent Independent Schools Inspectorate inspection in December 2025. Under the current ISI framework, Dolphin School Trust, including Noah’ s Ark Nurseries, successfully met all five inspection areas, with inspectors recognising the warmth, joy and strength of relationships at the heart of our community.

Inspectors described pupils as “ particularly delightful” , noting that they thrive through strong connections with staff, while also praising the high quality of teaching and pupils ’ excellent personal development. Nestled in the heart of Northcote Road, Clapham Junction, Dolphin is a school brimming with life, love and learning. Rooted in our values of Love,Wisdom and Truth, we are committed to ensuring every child feels known, valued and encouraged to flourish.

Dolphin is proudly a family school with Christian values, open to families of all faiths and none. We offer a rich educational experience where there is no trade off between academic ambition and nurture, helping children grow into confident, respectful young people with a strong sense of belonging and purpose.

Lucy Price Headteacher

Our Ethos

Our Christian ethos, rooted in our motto ‘Love, Wisdom,Truth, ’ shapes every aspect of school life. We believe each child should be known, valued, and loved.With small classes and a culture of active participation, our pupils grow in confidence, empathy, and self-worth—creating a calm, supportive environment for learning and personal growth.

Through curiosity, exploration, and open dialogue, pupils deepen their understanding of the world and others, learning to live with integrity and respect. In our classrooms, where fairness and trust flourish, children are free to be themselves, to take risks in learning, and to discover even more of what it means to live in Love,Wisdom, and Truth.

The successful candidate will combine strategic SEND leadership with excellent classroom practice, ensuring pupils with additional needs are supported academically, emotionally and socially to flourish both within the provision and across the wider school community.The role requires someone who is visionary yet practical, nurturing yet ambitious, and committed to ensuring that children with SEND are fully known, valued and enabled to thrive. Central to the role will be developing a provision rooted in early intervention, with carefully planned pathways to support pupils ’ growing confidence, independence and transition into mainstream learning wherever appropriate.

Person Specification

As part of our continuing commitment to inclusive excellence and early intervention, Dolphin School is developing a small enhanced provision designed to support pupils who require more specialist, targeted and relational approaches within a mainstream prep school environment.The provision will offer a calm, purposeful and nurturing space where children can build confidence, develop independence and successfully access wider school life.

A key principle of the provision will be early intervention; identifying and supporting needs at the earliest possible stage so that pupils are equipped with the academic, social and emotional foundations needed to flourish.Through highly personalised support and strong partnership with families, the provision will aim, wherever appropriate, to support successful transition into mainstream classroom learning and fuller participation in the wider life of the school community. We are seeking an exceptional Lead SENCo / Teacher to help establish, lead and develop a small enhanced provision within Dolphin School which reflects the school’s ethos of relationship-rich education, high aspirations and deeply personalised support.

The successful candidate will have regard for the school’ s policies and schemes of work.The teacher will be responsible for the discipline, supervision and welfare of all pupils.

Your key qualities and experience will include:

Essential

Qualified Teacher Status

National Award for SEN Coordination (or willingness to undertake)

Significant experience working with pupils with SEND

Excellent understanding of adaptive teaching and inclusive practice

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to build positive relationships with children, parents and colleagues

High levels of emotional intelligence, warmth and professionalism

Strong organisational and leadership skills

Commitment to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing

Commitment to Dolphin School’ s ethos and values

Desirable

Experience establishing or leading a specialist or enhanced provision

Experience supporting pupils with autism, ADHD, speech and language needs and social/emotional needs

Experience within the independent or prep school sector

Understanding of therapeutic and relational approaches

Experience line managing support staff

Knowledge of current SEND legislation and best practice

STAFF BENEFITS

Professional, Friendly, Passionate

Contributory Pension Scheme

Free tea & coffee

Competitive

Independent School Holidays

A Range of Health Benefits Including:

Employee Assistance Programme for well-being and support

Health insurance, including- dental, optical, therapeutic and sp ecialist consultations.

One Well-being Day off per year (Pro rata for part time employees)

Committed to ongoing .CPD

Discounts at local shops.

STAFF DISCOUNT on School Fees.

Hot Lunches

provided by local

Part of the supportive and welcoming Dolphin School community.

Job Description

SENCO / CLASSTEACHER IN AN ENHANCED PROVISION (FULLTIME)

CONTRACT: Permanent

START DATE: 01 September 2026

LOCATION: Dolphin School, Battersea, London

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

TEACHING & CURRICULUM

Teach a small cohort of pupils with a range of additional learning needs

Plan and deliver highly adaptive, personalised and engaging teaching

Develop bespoke interventions and targeted support programmes

Support pupils in building independence, confidence, emotional regulation and readiness for learning

Support pupils in developing the skills and resilience required for successful participation within mainstream classroom environments

Facilitate successful integration and access to mainstream classes and wider school opportunities where appropriate

Work collaboratively with class teachers to ensure smooth and supportive transitions between the provision and mainstream lessons

Create rich, multi-sensory and communication-supportive learning experiences

Maintain high expectations whilst recognising and celebrating individual progress

Foster a love of learning and encourage pupils to develop resilience, self-belief and curiosity

SEND LEADERSHIP

Lead and oversee SEND provision within the enhanced setting

Contribute to wider SEND strategy and provision across the school

Support staff in understanding and implementing effective adaptive teaching approaches

Provide guidance, coaching and training for teachers and teaching assistants

Monitor pupil progress and evaluate the impact of interventions

Support EHCP processes, annual reviews and professional documentation where required

Liaise with external professionals including Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and CAMHS services

PASTORAL & CLASSROOM CARE

Build strong, trusting and supportive relationships with pupils and families

Ensure every pupil feels safe, understood, valued and able to succeed

Support pupils ’ emotional wellbeing and personal development

Promote positive behaviour through relational, restorative and consistent approaches in line with the school’s Behaviour Management Policy

Contribute fully to the wider life and pastoral culture of Dolphin School

PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION

Work in close partnership with parents, recognising them as central to each child’s journey

Participate in Parents ’ Evenings, Open Mornings, and other school events

Keep the Headteacher and senior staff informed of any significant developments relating to pupil welfare or progress

WIDER SCHOOL LIFE

Participate fully in the broader life of the school community

Attend meetings, training, events and school activities as required

Support the Christian ethos and values of the school whilst welcoming families of all faiths and none

Contribute to a culture of warmth, optimism, professionalism and collaboration

WHY JOIN DOLPHIN SCHOOL?

A warm, values-led Christian community where relationships come first

Smaller class sizes with a strong emphasis on individual attention and a deeply child-centred approach

A school where relationships, nurture and academic ambition work hand in hand

The opportunity to shape and lead an exciting new provision from the outset

A vibrant curriculum that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and character

A supportive team of passionate and dedicated staff, and engaged families

Opportunities to grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to school life

Conditions of Employment

DISCIPLINE, HEALTH & SAFETY

Maintaining good order among the pupils, upholding the school’s Behaviour Management Policy, safeguarding the health and safety of pupils on school premises, and during authorised off-site school activities.

COVER

Staff are expected to take temporary responsibility for any pupils, for a reasonable time, whose teacher is not available to teach them throughout the school.

REMUNERATION

We have our own Pay Scales which are regularly compared with other relevant pay scales in the sector. We are committed to ensuring competitive levels of pay and are pleased to be able to offer a pension scheme. For this role, the salary will be dependent on experience and qualifications.

HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT

The hours are full time 08.00 - 17.00, Monday - Friday.Teachers are expected to occasionally work outside of these hours for training or school events.

At Dolphin School, we believe children flourish when they are fully known, deeply valued and encouraged to become all they were created to be. This role offers a rare opportunity to help shape a provision where children are supported not simply to cope, but truly to thrive.

How to Apply

C June 12 2026 - 12.00 PM - Early Applications Encouraged LOSING DATE:

From June 1 2026

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES & SAFEGUARDING

Dolphin School Trust is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion for all pupils, staff and applicants.We are equally committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment.

Please ensure you have read the school's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, as well as the job description (above), before completing the Teaching Staff application form. Click on the icons below to view and download these documents.

Please note we will need to contact two referees before interview.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.