Senior Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator

Enjoying unique lifestyle opportunities, St Helena Island is a self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Although better placed to develop economically and socially as a result of opening our international airport in 2017, we are not at the stage of self-sufficiency and therefore remain dependent on UK government aid. There are four schools on the island; one secondary and three primaries. The curriculum broadly models the English education system.

Securing this role, provides a unique career opportunity for an experienced and skilful SENCO to implement the inclusion aspects of the Saint Helena Government's 2025 Education Review. The post holder will be a member of the Portfolio's senior leadership team providing key strategic leadership focused on inclusion working as part of the team securing COBIS standards and our primary school reorganisation. Together the Team will secure a culture where all pupils experience a positive and enriching education, develop high aspirations and secure outcomes.

Your effective leadership and management will drive improvement priorities and ensure that inclusion is delivering and securing the best outcomes for pupils. You will promote a culture of unity and collaboration across all phases. Providing professional guidance to colleagues, and working closely with staff, parents and other agencies, you will lead the strategic development of SEN policy and provision across the island's schools. This covers early years, primary and secondary ages. You will own the day-to-day operation of SEN policy and co-ordination to support those pupils with SEN / SEMH or a disability. While you oversee provision for these pupils, class teachers will hold responsibility for the day-to-day education and support of pupils within their classroom.

Applying your strategic overview and monitoring and reviewing the quality of provision, you will contribute to school self-evaluation, making sure SEN policy is put into practice and its objectives are reflected in the school improvement plan. You must evaluate whether funding is being used effectively, maintaining an accurate SEND register and provision map. Guiding, mentoring and training colleagues on teaching pupils with SEN, SEMH or a disability, you will embed on the graduated approach You will line manage commissioned SEND services including Educational Psychology Service.

Liaising with early years providers, other schools, educational psychologists, health and social care professionals and other external agencies, you will the key strategic lead for Inclusion. Securing a culture and ethos that further promote pupils' inclusion in the school community and access to the curriculum, facilities and extra-curricular activities.

Your leadership skills include effective communication and interpersonal skills to share a vision and inspire others, using data to set targets and identifying strengths and areas of development. With a secure knowledge of high-quality teaching you will support leaders to secure the ability to model this for others, supporting them in their development. You will be adept at building working relationships, you are a good listener with a sense of humour balanced by responsibility, and have good organisational skills and the ability to work calmly under pressure. A sound understanding of curriculum development is critical. Experience of school finances and financial management are essential.

Holding a UK teaching qualification and QTS with a degree level qualification and leadership qualification, plus the National Award for SEN Co-ordination or equivalent, you have a background of successful leadership and management in a school or group of schools. Your teaching experience includes involvement in school self-evaluation and development planning and you have demonstrable experience of successful line management and staff development.

In addition, you must demonstrate our core values of fairness, integrity and teamwork and use your diverse expertise and experiences to ensure your time on the Island has the broadest benefit to St Helena. As an officer funded through the Technical Co-Operation Programme you will be expected to share your knowledge and skills beyond the workplace contributing to workforce, community and capacity development in St Helena.

Our Benefits Package Includes:

• An International Supplement, full details of which are in the Overseas Vacancy Information at sthelenapublicservicejobs.sh
• Relocation Allowances, full details of which are in the Overseas Vacancy Information at sthelenapublicservicejobs.sh
• Annual Pension Contribution of 7.5% of salary
• Annual Leave of 30 days per annum plus Public Holidays

How to Apply:

An application form is available at our website via the button below where further information can also be found, or you may contact Glenda Bas on or via email: .

Applications must be sent by an email & received by 5 May 2025.

To be considered for this role, you must complete our application form. Failure to do so will mean that your application will not be considered. Please do not submit your CV.

The Public Service positively accepts applications from all members of the community regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and will consider all applications on the basis of merit, in accordance with the person specification.