SENDCo

Required from 1st September 2025

Full time: MPS5 – UPS1 & TLR2 £5,000

(Applications for 0.8 working basis will be considered up to UPS3) 

Permanent

Zaytouna Primary School is seeking to appoint a dedicated, resilient and caring professional to the role of SENDCo.  

About our school:

Zaytouna Primary is a larger than average, over-subscribed inner city Islamic Faith school dedicated to providing an excellent education for all our children in partnership with Transform Trust. Located in a commercial district of the city, we draw most of our children from the inner-city area of Normanton. After a period of significant growth and flourishment, we are now at full capacity and operating a waiting list; our staff team is now stable, too. Parents from a wider area are now choosing us as their first preference because of our vibrant academic offer, our provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), as well as our Islamic distinctiveness.

Almost all of our children are from minority ethnic backgrounds and a high proportion speak English as an additional language (EAL). Drawing from areas of significant deprivation, the proportion of disadvantaged children is above the national average and growing. The number of children with SEND, including those with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) is broadly in line with the national average and increasing. Our curriculum is the universal entitlement for all children and allows everyone to grow, develop and flourish - this is something we are extremely proud of. 

Underpinned by the fundamental principles of ‘Peace, Unity and Equality’, we aim throughout our curriculum and ethos to develop the mind, body and soul, with ‘Everyone a Learner and Everyone a Leader.’

We have a strong safeguarding culture, serving one of the most deprived areas in Derby City. Children are exposed to domestic violence, high unemployment and criminal activity. High levels of poverty were more apparent during the lockdown periods. We work in partnership with a local charity to provide substantial food hampers on a regular basis and support our families with digital technologies, clothing and translation services. 

As an anchor institution in Derby, we work closely with the following organisations:

• Association of Muslim Schools

• Derby Jamia Mosque

• Derby University

• Our Future Derby

• Derbyshire Cricket Club

• Derby Music Partnership 

• Progressive Sports

• World Class Schools organisation

About the role:

To lead the strategic development of the school's Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) provision and oversight of the day-to-day operation of that policy with the aim of raising SEN pupil achievement.

To be a champion for our children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and ensure their full participation in all aspects of school life. 

To undertake the teaching of general subjects, in accordance with the School Teachers Professional Standards, to a KS1 or KS2 class on a job-share basis as well as pastoral and administrative duties in respect of pupils in this class and responsibilities in the school.

The postholder is responsible for the supervision of the work of the Pastoral Lead and teaching assistants.

To interact on a professional level with colleagues and seeks to establish and maintain productive relationships with them in order to promote mutual understanding of SEND inclusion practices.  

We warmly welcome applications from those who are passionate about making a real difference to the lives of children and thrives on challenging themselves and others to keep on improving. Our working relationships are positive, supportive and forward looking.  

You will:

• Put provision in place to ensure that progress of pupils with SEN improves relative to those without SEN. 

• Ensure that the school carries out its statutory responsibilities regarding all students with a Statement of Special Educational Needs. 

• Support all staff in understanding the needs of SEN pupils. 

• Support phase/key stage developments of SEN provision. 

• Monitor progress towards targets for pupils with SEN.

• Analyse and interpret relevant school, local and national data. 

• Liaise with staff, parents, external agencies and other schools to co-ordinate their contribution, provide maximum support and ensure continuity of provision.

• Dedicated leadership time to fulfil all aspects of the SENDCo role.

In return we offer:

• A collaborative and supportive team of talented professionals.

• A commitment to professional development opportunities in order to enhance your ability to develop and improve provision.

• The opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children.

• Motivated, friendly and hardworking children.

• A welcoming community and a highly motivated, professional staff team that are driven 

• towards continuously raising standards.

• Excellent professional development opportunities through an extensive range of network groups and other Transform Trust initiatives

• Calm and purposeful learning environments

• Excellent partnerships between pupils, staff, parents, governors and community 

• A forward-thinking approach to teaching and learning throughout the school

• Career opportunities as part of a successful Multi Academy Trust

Visits to our school are encouraged and warmly welcomed, please contact the school office to arrange an appointment.

How to apply

Equality and diversity matters to us. If you think you’d be suited to one of our roles we’d love to hear from you regardless of age, disability status, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexuality. We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and as such anyone who is registered disabled and meets the essential person specification criteria will be shortlisted for interview.

Please complete the online application form which you will find on the Transform Trust website http://www.transformtrust.co.uk/vacancies

Please ensure that you follow the instructions within the application form and ensure that there are no gaps in your education or employment history that are not accounted for.

Any questions or queries should be directed to Aaron Bird, Headteacher at Zaytouna Primary School, 500 London Road, Derby, DE24 8WH Email: office@zaytounaprimary.co.uk Telephone: 01332 383379

Closing date for applications: Thursday, 8th May 2025, 5pm

Interviews will be held on: Friday, 16th May 2025

Transform Trust is a Multi Academy Trust with over 8800 children in 25 Primary Schools covering Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire. Joining us, you will be part of an ambitious and innovative organisation. We have a strong focus on empowering our member schools to drive their improvement journey whilst maintaining their own individual identity and community focus. 

We believe education has the power to transform lives and communities. Our purpose is to be an innovative and inclusive Trust working for all children.

We are an employer that encourages flexible working and promotes wellbeing through workload considerations.