If you are a an aspiring SENCO or just wanting a change of scene, it can be a challenge to know what to look for and ask on your walk round!
When searching for a school for a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) role, it’s important to consider various factors before applying. Here are some key aspects to look for on your SENCO school tour:
- Inclusive School Culture:
- Look for a school that clearly has an inclusive culture and values diversity. Check that the school’s ethos and values align with your own.
- Ask questions to see if that the school has a commitment to meeting the needs of all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities and a good understanding of what good inclusion looks like.
- Even if this doesn’t seem 100% in place, could you work to improve it?
- Supportive Leadership:
- On the show round (which will hopefully be the headteacher or a future line manager), consider the individual’s understanding of and commitment to SEND are they happy to discuss ways in which they would support you as the SENCO?
- Ask about the support and resources provided by the school for the SENCo role.
- Consider whether the school seems friendly – your gut instinct will help here but it is also easy to get sucked in on a show round and when you start the role, things are not as they seemed! If the school does not feel like the right setting, don’t be too quick to apply! Also check out it’s local reputation from a staff perspective if possible. Has there been a high staff turnover for example.
- Training and Professional Development:
- Inquire about the availability of ongoing training and professional development opportunities for the SENCo.
- If you don’t have the SENCO qualification, ask if they will support you in doing it.
- Parental Involvement:
- Check the school’s ethos and values for parental involvement.
- A supportive school will have effective communication channels and involve parents in decision-making regarding their child’s education. Find out what the parents are like.
- Well-Defined SENCo Role:
- Clarify the responsibilities and expectations associated with the SENCo role within the school especially surrounding hours and number of students with SEND. Will you have any other roles such as coordinating pupil premium. Is there a teaching commitment? Would you be used for cover?
- What links does school have with the local authority?
- Is there the opportunity to meet with the outgoing SENCO (and why are they leaving?).
- Is there any admin support and/or structures in place to support learners on your non-working days if the role is part-time.
- Student-Centered Approach:
- Look for a school that prioritises the well-being and individual needs of students.
- How do they collate student voice?
- What interventions currently run and what training have staff received?
- The school should have a student-centered approach that focuses on personalised learning and support.
- Are classteachers able to adapt learning effectivly?
- Is there any nurture or enhanced provision?
- How are pupils with SEND assessed?
- Whole School Issues:
- What are the current whole school development needs for SEND across the school?
- How is the school addressing them?
- What emphasis does the school put on staff wellbeing and how can you expect to be supported?
In some instances, it may be a challenge to have a school tour, if you are moving area for example. I would always recommend looking around before applying. As an employer, I wouldn’t want to interview someone who didn’t visit (without a valid reason). As an employee, getting a feel of the school and further information to later include in your application, is really important.
Hopefully these ideas will enable you to focus your questioning on a SENCO school tour and also enable you to get an accurate feel for the school.
Good luck in securing your next role!
If you would like to see some further SENCO resources, please see my SENCO resource page and my CPD platform for SENCO and wellbeing training opportunities.
Thanks for reading!
Lynn