Senco - Full-time - Special Needs Position

Nore Academy , Sheerness

• Ref:KCC886-7007-78L
• Posted:01/05/2026
• Pay:Teacher Pay Scale-MPS/UPS + Sen Allowance
• Start Date:September 2026
• App Close Date:14/05/2026 at 10:00
• Interviews:18th/19th

Advert

SENCo within Strategic Leadership Group of SLT

Advert

Nore Academy is a SEN school that opened on the Isle of Sheppey in January 2025. We support young people aged 11-16 with a primary need of SEMH and other related areas of SEN such as ASC and communication difficulties. We have been steadily growing our numbers and the commissioned amount for 2026-2027 is 120.Estuary Academy Island is our Alternative provision which opened in September 2024 and is collocated with Nore Academy to provide up to 40 students with a broad and balanced curriculum offering to support students who cannot access mainstream education.

While each school has its own identity and provision, they are united by a shared purpose—to provide high-quality, inclusive education for young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, removing barriers to learning and enabling every learner to succeed.​

Across both schools, our work is guided by the core values of the Trust: community, love, flourish, and social justice. These values are lived out daily in how we build relationships, support one another, and champion the rights and potential of every young person in our care. We believe in the strength of community to bring people together, the importance of love in every interaction, the expectation that all can flourish given the right support, and a deep commitment to fairness and social justice for all learners and families.​

We are seeking an experienced SENCO who has ideally worked within specialist provisions or who has a developed understanding of SEMH and working with a high volume of students with EHCPs. We value the role of the SENCO and recognise its central importance in shaping an inclusive, high-quality educational experience for all pupils. This position will form part of the school’s Strategic Leadership Group, ensuring that SEND provision is fully integrated into whole-school development and priorities, and that it has a direct and influential voice in informing the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

To reflect the significance and scope of this role, the SENCO will have a substantially reduced teaching commitment. This will enable them to lead, coordinate, and evaluate SEND provision effectively, work strategically with staff and external partners, and ensure that all pupils with additional needs receive the support required to thrive.

As SENCO, you will work with the Deputy Headteacher to support the inclusion strategy across both provisions and operationally oversee annual reviews, children’s progress towards outcomes and ensure compliance. You will work closely with staff, families, and external agencies to ensure every pupil receives tailored, high-quality support that enables them to thrive.

All successful candidates will have ambitious expectations for all pupils and a desire to drive high standards and educational outcomes.

Checks

We will conduct online searches on shortlisted candidates for information that is publicly available.This appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check, medical screening and confirmation of qualifications and references.

Further questions

If you have any further questions, please contact our HR Officer HR@Noreacademy.co.uk

We have the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Information about the school

Safeguarding Statement

Alternative Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a Declaration of Offences form to confirm their criminal record or other information that may make them unsuitable to work with children. It is an offence for an individual with certain criminal convictions to attempt to engage in regulated activity (working with children).

This appointment is subject to pre-employment checks including an enhanced DBS check, teaching prohibited checks (if applicable), Section 128 check (if applicable), ID and right to work check, medical screening and confirmation of qualifications and references. We will conduct online searches on shortlisted candidates for information that is publicly available.

Copies of Nore Academy Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be found on the school website.

Further questions If you have any further questions, please contact our HR Officer hr@noreacademy.co.uk 01795 720747

About Us:

Nore Academy Island caters to students aged 11-16, providing a nurturing environment that supports both emotional well-being and academic achievement. Since opening, we’ve welcomed 60 pupils across KS3 and KS4, with plans to grow to 72 places within the coming months. By September 2026 we will be supporting 120 students.  With a designation of SEMH and ASC we support a cohort of learners who deserve the best, and we are looking for experienced professionals to join our team as the school grows to capacity. We want all of our young people to leave school with successful and fulfilled futures and if you would like to be part of our journey we want to hear from you!

Background to Alternative Learning Trust - Kent & Medway Hub

Alternative Learning Trust (ALT) is a multi-academy trust (MAT) for Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), Alternative Provisions (APs), and Specialist Settings. We are a collaborative trust and believe the most sustainable developments and improvements come from working together. We are driven to transform the educational experiences of all children and young people, offering them opportunities to reach sustainable outcomes for the rest of their lives. These values are accompanied by excellent pedagogy, vibrant curriculum models, and responsible governance.

The Alternative Learning Trust became a multi-academy trust (MAT company number 11788031) in June 2019. Nore Academy will become the sixth school of The Alternative Learning Trust; The other schools of the trust includes Limes College, Estuary Academy North, Estuary Academy Island, Will Adams Academy, Saffron Valley Collegiate. The Trust has been established to work with Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) and alternative providers who support vulnerable students to access and engage with education. Many of our students have special educational needs and some have been excluded from mainstream education.

As a Trust we have the following core set of values for our staff and the families we support: • the need for people to flourish in all areas of their lives; • we are stronger through a sense of community; • social justice is vital.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Lucy Veronese
• Address:Danley Road, Minster-On-Sea, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 3AP
• Telephone: 01795 720747
• Email: hr@noreacademy.co.uk

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
• SENCo Job Description