Job Description

SENDCo Assistant and HLTA

Hours: 32.5 hours per week, term time plus 5 non-pupil days

Start date: asap

Band: 3 points 6 - 11

Salary: £25,889 to £27,975 full time equivalent including fringe allowance (pro-rata)

Actual salary: £19,321 to £20,877.79

Salary negotiable depending on skills and experience

Working pattern: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 3:30pm with a 30-minute break.

Hilltop Junior School is one of six schools that form the HEARTS Academy Trust. We have an exciting opportunity for a SENDCo Assistant to join our fantastic team.

The primary role of the SENDCo Assistant is to support the day-to-day operational work of the SENDCo.

The key focus is to assist in leading and managing the provision of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities learning support through high quality teaching. To provide effective use of resources and effective systems and processes, ensuring good provision for pupils with SEND.

This includes but is not limited to:

• uphold and promote HEARTS values in all aspects of your work
• assist in the leadership of learning support staff
• assist the SENDCo in leading the provision for special educational needs within school, liaising with the Headteacher as required
• manage appropriate SEND resources and to ensure that they are used efficiently, effectively and safely
• develop curriculum resources to ensure that pupils with SEND have the necessary levels of support
• support the SENDCo in managing the implementation of an inclusive curriculum
• support the SENDCo in sustaining the effective teaching of pupils with SEND across the school leading to high quality outcomes
• teach groups as allocated by the SENDCo and/or the Head of School
• cover classes if requested

Applicants should have grade C and above in GCSE maths and English.Whilst a SEND qualification is desirable, a level 3 childcare qualification is essential.

For an informal discussion or to arrange a visit, please contact Suzanne Cullinane, School Business Manager: hilltopjun.admin@heartsacademy.uk or 01268 734649.

For all vacancies at HEARTS Academy Trust please visit our website: https://heartsacademytrust.co.uk/careers/vacancies/

How to apply

It is very important that the HEARTS application form is completed in full, particularly section F which refers to references. We must have the full contact details of two referees, including their name, address, telephone number and email address.

Please note that we will write to the Headteacher for all education references. Incomplete application forms will not be considered.

CVs are not accepted.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date should we have enough suitable applications, therefore we advise applying early.

HEARTS Academy Trust is an equal opportunities employer and will not discriminate against any applicant on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race. For this reason, all application forms are anonymised before shortlisting takes place to ensure applicants are considered only on the relevant qualifications, skills and experience that are profiled on the application form and personal statement.

If you would like any support or assistance at any stage of your application process, please contact recruitment@heartsacademy.uk / 01268 572672. We will be happy to discuss this with you.

Why choose HEARTS Academy Trust as your new employer?

The HEARTS way of working is based on our values of happiness, self-esteem, achievement, respect and responsibility, truth and service, all of which are embedded within each of our schools.

HEARTS Academy Trust offers a comprehensive rewards and benefits package to all colleagues, including but not limited to:

• Pension schemes (LGPS/TPS)
• Professional development opportunities
• Access to our trust Counsellor
• Access to our Mental Health First Aid team
• Additional week's leave during October
• Excellent CPD opportunities with purposeful training, including trust-wide twilights
• Supportive leadership and opportunities to collaborate across the trust
• On request, and if appropriate, flexible working

HEARTS Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to the receipt of a satisfactory application form, satisfactory references that meet the requirements as set out in KCSIE, satisfactory online search and an Enhanced DBS check, to include a children's barred list check, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). This means that certain convictions and cautions are considered 'protected' and do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account.

Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974

All applicants can view a copy of our Records Retention Policy on the Trust website, the policy sets out how we will gather, process and hold personal data of individuals during and after the recruitment process.

For further information about the HEARTS Academy Trust please visit our website at: http://www.heartsacademytrust.co.uk

Information about the School

Hilltop Junior School is child-centred and believes in high expectations for all. We are an over-achieving, oversubscribed school, with strong links with the community and feeder schools. We pride ourselves on positive relationships that benefit the pupils at the heart of the community.

We are proud to have recently been graded as "good" by Ofsted and shortlisted as TES Primary School of the Year. We are a creative school with an inspiring, vibrant and engaging curriculum. We have the highest aspirations for all of our children and believe in providing them with a full, varied learning experience that is exciting and equips them for life.

At Hilltop, we have a strong and passionate team of teachers who are dedicated to ensuring that every single child achieves their full potential. Our pupils consistently achieve above national averages in reading and writing.

We are a leading school in Wickford, set in beautiful grounds and well-served by transportation links. We are close to major road networks, making it easy for pupils to access our school.

Hilltop Junior School is ranked in the top 5% of schools and is the proud recipient of many awards including;- • Pearson Centre of Excellence 2022 • SENDIA; the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Inclusion Award from Optimus Education • L.P.P.A. (Leading Parent Partnership Award) • Fully accredited National Online Safety certified school • History Quality Mark – Gold Status • Wellbeing Award • SMSC Quality Mark Gold • Young Carers Award • Healthy Schools Award • SAFE CIC Gold Award • An Artsmark School • working towards UNICEF Rights Respecting Gold • IQM – Inclusive School Award • Green flag status • Forest Schools

Hilltop Junior School is part of the HEARTS Academy Trust, a trust of local schools that has the values of happiness, achievement, self-esteem, respect & responsibility, truth, spirituality & service. The trust is truly innovative and rewards outstanding staff for outstanding outcomes. The school calendar consists of 184 contact time with pupils, 5 non-pupil days and the equivalent of 6 days of high quality continuous professional development.

The Trustees are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, online searches, medical check, prohibited from teaching check and references. References are taken up prior to interview. A copy of the trusts Child Protection Policy is available on our website:- https://www.heartsacademytrust.co.uk/policies

We can offer you:

• an excellent CPD entitlement with purposeful training, including trust-wide twilights throughout the year

• a two-week October half-term

• supportive colleagues who want to provide the best possible opportunities for their pupils

• a highly effective learning environment

• a responsive and involved leadership team

• the HEARTS four-day face-to-face teaching week model whereby all teachers in the trust receive 20% non-contact time. This goes above and beyond the national entitlement of 10% PPA.

• a school with a highly positive culture that supports all staff; mental health, workload and wellbeing are at the forefront of our vision and values

• access to our school counsellor and network of Mental Health and Wellbeing champions

For further information about HEARTS, including policies and procedures, please refer to our website www.heartsacademytrust.co.uk