About this Role Job Title: SENCO, required for September 2027 (with potential pre-opening hours available to assist with set-up and transition planning) Alconbury Weald Church Academy, part of Grace Schools
Do you have a great love of literature? Do you marvel at the wonderful insights the natural sciences have given us? Maybe you have a deep appreciation of artistic expression through music, poetry or theatre. Or perhaps you think history shines a light on the very soul of humankind.
But - most importantly - do you think all these things are the entitlement of all children, especially those who have faced challenges in their education?
If so, then we would be very interested to hear from you for our SENCO role.
Alconbury Weald Church Academy is a new secondary school opening in Cambridgeshire in September 2027. We will be a four-form entry school in the first instance, starting with Year 7 and growing. We have already appointed our founding headteacher - Michael Fordham - and our next appointment will be our SENCO, who will be critical to our school’s success.
At heart we are envisaging our SENCO as a ‘teaching and learning’ role. Your number one objective in the school will be to remove as many barriers as possible to helping all students access the really rather wonderful curriculum we are building. Underpinning this is our commitment to knowing our children really well and we are keen to have a culture that does not reduce this down to annotated seating plans.
The successful candidate will benefit from a comprehensive CPD programme and a wide range of support from the SENCO Community. This professional network collaborates regularly online and in person at SEND surgeries, SENCO forums and by visiting each other's schools to develop best practice across our trust.
To find out more about the school, please visit our website: https://awc.graceschools.org.uk/
Key responsibilities:
- Lead and shape the strategic direction of SEND across the school.
- Work directly with teachers in the classroom to ensure that our teaching approaches are as inclusive as possible.
- Work with the Headteacher and curriculum leads in the school to identify needs early and embed targeted support into our curriculum design.
- Work with children with EHCPs, their families and external professionals to identify classroom adaptations.
- Build relationships with children individually, fostering trust, confidence and a sense of belonging.
- Be an excellent role model - exemplifying a high standard of teaching and promoting high expectations for all members of the school community.
- Maintain the highest expectations for all students.
Pay, Hours and Contract:
Qualifications and skills:
- Relevant degree or equivalent.
- Qualified Teacher Status.
- Teachers of all subjects are welcome to apply.
- Experience of working in a secondary school as a SENCO or in an academic or pastoral leadership role. For those who have not yet completed the SENCO qualification, we will support you in completing it with the appropriate National Professional Qualification (NPQ).
- Skilled at managing and developing others and building expertise in teaching methods.
- Knowledge of strategies to support learning, progress, and standards across the curriculum including evidence of impact on progress.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of high-quality teaching and learning.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Ability to build effective relationships with colleagues, parents/carers and members of the community.
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
About Grace Schools
It is an exciting time to join us as we move into the next era as Grace Schools.
Grace Schools represents our commitment to the founding principles established by the Diocese of Ely and the unique position we have supporting schools of all faiths and none.
We are a large multi-academy trust which consists of 38 primary academies and approximately 7,000 pupils. Grace Schools exists to create the foundations to build successful futures. Our pupils deserve educational excellence, and we are committed to delivering that entitlement to ensure all our students secure the knowledge, confidence, and expertise to succeed in their later lives.
We recognise the importance of continually improving the quality of education across our schools. As a result, we invest in developing our curriculum, teaching, and wider provision to ensure these improvements are realised and sustained. Our schools give children the chance to learn, know and lead in a happy and inclusive environment. Most importantly, we provide them with a firm foundation for the future and the opportunity to succeed.
We are especially proud of the recognition given to the Trust when we were awarded MAT of the Year at the 2024 National Schools Awards. This award is testament to the hard work and dedication of our whole staff team and the high-quality provision they offer to all the children who attend our schools.
Please visit our website to find out more: www.graceschools.org.uk
How to apply
For an informal discussion about the role, please email michael.fordham@awc.graceschools.org.uk.
Please read the recruitment pack before completing your application. All applications must be completed in full on My New Term.
Closing Date: Tuesday 1 December 2026, midday
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a suitable number of internal or external applications.
Interviews: Thursday 10 December 2026, to be held at Ermine Street Church Academy
Grace Schools is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals can make the best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.
We do not discriminate against staff based on age, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religious or political belief or affiliation, trade union membership, gender, gender reassignment, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic background or any other inappropriate distinction or characteristic covered by the Equality Act 2010.
