SEND Administrator Epsom, England
Job description
SEND Administrator
Term Time + 2 weeks (39 weeks)
Start Date TBC
Grade 5 £21,943.00 -£24,184.00 FTE per annum
(40 hours per week)
Full Time
Blenheim High School became Surrey’s most improved school for public examination outcomes in the 2017/18 academic year, was categorised by Ofsted as ‘Good’ in all areas in May 2019, has been oversubscribed since 2020/21 and achieved its best public examinations results in summer 2022.
Blenheim is a dynamic, exciting and supportive environment in which to work. The school opened in September 1997 with one year group and has grown to its current size of 1337 students on roll including over 200 in the Sixth Form. Blenheim is a mixed comprehensive and our reputation in the community is excellent. The intake comprises of students from all surrounding areas with ability levels being favourable; over 50% of all students have high prior attainment at the end of Key Stage 2. In recent years the school’s popularity has grown significantly.
As a Single Academy Trust Blenheim’s features include:
- A 36-week academic year with a fortnight October half term break and a 7 week summer holiday.
- Formative assessment being embedded across the curriculum ensuring students have a clear understanding of their ‘next steps’.
- A significant financial reserve, which Blenheim has complete autonomy to invest.
- Modern buildings and infrastructure.
- A strategic goal prioritising staff well-being, led by the senior whole school well-being lead.
- A comprehensive co-curricular programme prioritising the development of the whole student.
- A Chelsea FC Blenheim Girls’ Football Academy that competes in the National Youth Football League.
- A ‘Blenheim Ambition’ Dance Academy.
- A ‘High Performers’ programme to boost student aspirations, independence and career prospects.
- An extended day for Year 11 and Year 13 students until 5pm Monday – Thursday, with complimentary biscuits, squash and pizza.
In 2019, Blenheim was characterised as a ‘good’ school following a Section 5 Ofsted inspection. Please click here to read the Ofsted Report. Ofsted commented that the school had excellent capacity to continue improving. The Headteacher, Mr A A Bodell, has made a long term commitment to Blenheim.
Blenheim converted to Academy Status in March 2012 and has developed many community and primary school links. Blenheim is a well–resourced school and is fortunate to have outstanding facilities including modern buildings, large grounds, an AstroTurf pitch, bespoke sixth form facilities and grass football and rugby pitches. Together with a very supportive and well qualified governing body the school has invested significantly in several areas, not least in the appointment of high-quality practitioners and on-site infrastructure. Visitors often comment on the calm, purposeful learning environment that pervades.
Blenheim sets high standards in terms of uniform with several ‘non-negotiables’ and there are strict expectations regarding behaviour and conduct, both in and out of the classroom. Students can be given up to 1 hour detention on any given day without 24 hours’ notice. Ofsted described Blenheim as ‘calm, orderly and purposeful’ and our students as ‘respectful, kind and courteous’, which is what those of us who work at Blenheim see every day. The Headteacher has little sympathy for poor standards of student behaviour.
As Blenheim students prepare to take up their place in society they are actively encouraged to become independent learners. Part of this process involves the integration of iPads across the curriculum; all teachers and 98% of students own one. Technological evolution is inevitable and this approach is key to ensuring that students develop attributes that will allow them to adapt in a rapidly changing world. The iPad complements daily teaching and allows students to easily access a multitude of interactive and innovative resources both in and away from school.
JOB PROFILE
Accountable to: Assistant Headteacher-Special Educational Needs Co-coordinator (SENCo)
Job Purpose
To work alongside the Assistant Headteacher-SENCo and Deputy SENCo in order to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the SEN administration systems and software.
Accountable to:
Assistant Headteacher-SENCo
Key accountabilities:
Under the supervision of the Assistant Headteacher-SENCo and Deputy SENCo to:
- Manage the operation of administration systems including storage, processing, and retrieval of student data, ie. Files (paper-based and electronic) adhering to GDPR protocols
- To undertake general SEND administration and word processing including mail merge, Excel, and other ICT as an integral part of the post.
- To carry out all correspondence to parents/external agencies, as necessary.
- To undertake telephone/reception work dealing warmly and effectively with all enquiries to the Special Needs Department from visitors and students.
- To assist with the planning and organisation of annual reviews for students with Education, Health & Care Plans.
- To assist with diarising meetings with parents and external agencies.
- To maintain SEND data onto SIMS student database and to ensure all records are up to date. Produce SIMS reports when required.
- To effectively work to deadlines, sometimes under pressure.
- To appropriately communicate with teaching staff in distributing SEND information on behalf of the Assistant Headteacher-SENCo and Deputy SENCo.
- To attend relevant training as requested.
- To take minutes at meetings (parental, external agencies, department meetings etc) and circulate as appropriate.
- To co-ordinate the administration of annual reviews by collating information, liaising with staff and outside agencies, taking minutes at meetings, and circulating information as appropriate.
- To liaise with external agencies for assessment of SEND students.
- To demonstrate a co-operative and constructive approach with all staff, thus ensuring that a team spirit is engendered amongst all.
- To demonstrate a keen interest in all aspects of the school’s activities and to promote them both internally and externally.
- To maintain confidentiality and GDPR protocols with regards to sensitive information, such as SEND records.
- To be familiar with all school policies, in particular Safeguarding procedures and to promote the welfare of children.
- To support and coordinate exam access arrangements as necessary.
- To prepare SEND intakes, such as Year 7, Year 12 and mid-year transfer entries.
- To guide staff across SEND Department as appropriate and as necessary.
- To liaise with key students.
- To check in on particular SEND students.
- To accommodate children isolating in the ELC
- To carry out exam training and invigilation duties as required.
Person Specification
Essential
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Good word processing skills.
- Proficient working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
- Able to input data onto computer accurately.
- Organised and able to meet strict deadlines.
- Ability to follow procedures.
- Sympathetic to the needs of young people.
- Prepared to work as part of a team.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative.
- Ability to deal with information. Confidentially.
- Administrative experience.
- Willingness to undertake appropriate training for the post.
- To demonstrate a sound and constructive contribution to both the Department and the school.
- To time manage effectively, prioritising with regard to tasks.
Desirable
- Experience with SIMS computer system.
- Experience working in a school or college.
- Experience of Assessment Manager Computer software.
- Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice.
- Experience of diary management.
- Experience of project management.
- Knowledge of JCQ access arrangements.
REVIEW OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION
This job description is intended to provide guidance on the range of duties associated with the post. It is not intended to provide a full and exclusive definition of the post. It may be subject to modification and amendment from time to time and the post-holder may be required to undertake additional reasonable duties, as required by the Headteacher. This job description will be reviewed and updated as required, in consultation with the postholder and the Headteacher.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Please download and complete the Application Form and include a Statement of Application outlining your achievements to date and what you bring to the role, please ensure this is no more than two sides of A4. Completed applications may be emailed to [email protected]
All applications should be marked for the attention of Human Resources Manager, Blenheim High School, Longmead Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 9BH. The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 3rdApril 2023. We reserve the right to interview and appoint before the closing date if a suitable candidate is found; we would therefore welcome early applications.
To find out more about the school or to arrange a tour of the school please contact the school directly, contact details can be found om the school website.
Our school is committed to equal opportunities and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointment to this post will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure. I enclose our policies for your information.
I should remind you that you are liable to prosecution if you are included in the Disclosure and Barring Service’s/Disclosure Scotland’s Children’s Barred List and engage, or seek or offer to engage, in work which either involves contact with children or provides opportunities for contact with child.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £21,943.00-£24,184.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Epsom: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 24/03/2023
Reference ID: SENDAdmin
Expected start date: 17/04/2023
