SENCo

Job Description

Join a Community Where We 'Aspire, Believe, and Achieve' Together at St Helena School

Do you have the skills to foster a stimulating environment where every child can achieve their very best? Ready to inspire young minds to dream big?

At St Helena School, we strive towards a mindset that anything is possible. We provide our young people with the confidence, motivation, and resilience to be successful through a wide and inclusive curriculum.

We're looking for an enthusiastic and conscientious SENCo to lead our SEND team. This is an exciting opportunity to build upon the excellent work already in place and champion our students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

At St Helena, we are committed to being inclusive and ensuring all students, particularly those with SEND, have the ability to thrive in our environment. The successful candidate will be fully supported in this role, with protected time to fulfil their duties. The SENCo will lead an enthusiastic and committed team, including an Assistant SENCo, an Inclusion Room Lead, and a team of Learning Support Assistants.

This position is suitable for both an experienced SENCo with outstanding people skills and empathy, or a newly qualified SENCo ready to take on this leadership role.

The start date for this post is 1st September 2026.

A Day in the Life:

You'll be responsible for bringing your passion and expertise to the following areas:

• Ensuring that the school meets all of its legal obligations under the most recent version of the SEND Code of Practice.
• Working with students, subject leaders and class teachers with tutorial/pastoral responsibilities to ensure that realistic expectations are set for students with SEND.
• Leading and line managing the SEND team.
• Developing and maintaining effective partnerships with parents/carers of students with SEND/additional needs so as to promote students' learning; communicating effectively and providing information about targets, achievements and progress.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Should you have any questions about the role or the school, please contact Mrs A Swash (PA to Headteacher): ann-marie.swash@sth.school.

What We're Looking For:
You are the perfect fit for our team if you have:

• Established and evidenced practice with children with a variety of SEND.
• UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• The ability to teach lessons that challenge, motivate and inspire all students.
• A passion for teaching and making a real difference to young people.
• A commitment to safeguarding and child protection.

If you are a dynamic SENCo with experience, who would like to work in a supportive and collaborative environment and you feel that you have the enthusiasm and commitment required to join our school, please apply.

Why Choose The Sigma Trust?
We believe in investing in our staff and fostering a culture of collaboration. We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive package designed to support your professional and personal life.

Professional Development:

• A robust CPD training program that empowers you to flourish.
• Unrivalled opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the Trust, sharing ideas and building strong professional relationships.

Employee Benefits:

• A competitive salary and excellent pension scheme
• A Health Cash Plan to help manage your everyday healthcare costs
• Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme to support your well-being
• Exclusive perks like the Cycle to Work scheme, access to discounts via free membership to Perkbox, eligibility for a Blue Light Card, and more

Commitment to Safeguarding & Diversity

The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment processes, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.

The Sigma Trust is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristics. This is embedded in our vision 'To Be Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts', where we believe we are strong and more successful working together, creating a workplace which celebrates diversity.

To Apply:

Ready to take the next step? Find out more about the role and apply by midnight on Thursday 19th March 2026 via My New Term:

https://mynewterm.com/jobs/137944/EDV-2026-SHS-71282

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert early should we receive an overwhelming response. Candidates may be invited to interview prior to the closing date, so an early application is advised.

We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy.

Information about the School

St Helena School, part of the Sigma Trust, is a highly-regarded 11-16 co-educational Academy, recognised as Good by Ofsted in 2014 and now on a journey to Outstanding. Located on 17 acres in historic Colchester, the school has a fine blend of traditional and modern facilities and opened a £2.5m new Science block in 2015, and a £2.5m all weather pitch facility in February 2016.

On 1 September 2016, the school joined The Sigma Trust, a partnership of schools with The Stanway School, The Thomas Lord Audley School, Clacton County High School, Monkwick Junior School and Monkwick Infants School and Nursery. Working in collaboration with all the schools within The Sigma Trust, St Helena has developed and enhanced its development of outstanding professional practice.

Safeguarding The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.