Clare Mills

As the school's SENDCo I undertake the following:

1. Strategic leadership of SEND provision

• Develop and lead the school’s SEND policy and systems.
• Monitor and review the quality of SEND provision across the school.
• Contribute to whole-school self-evaluation and improvement planning.
• Ensure SEND priorities are reflected in the school development plan.
• Keep up to date with national and local SEND initiatives.

2. Day-to-day coordination of support

• Maintain the SEND register and provision map.
• Guide teachers on the graduated approach (Assess–Plan–Do–Review).
• Lead intervention groups and evaluate their impact.
• Analyse assessment data for pupils with SEND.

3. Working with pupils and families

• Identify pupils’ SEND and coordinate appropriate provision.
• Secured external services (e.g., educational psychologists, therapists) to enhance support for pupils with SEND.
• Maintain and review Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• Communicate regularly with parents/carers and ensure smooth transitions between schools.

4. Collaboration with staff and external agencies

• Provide professional guidance and training to colleagues.
• Work closely with early years providers, other schools, health and social care professionals, and the local authority.
• Act as the key point of contact for external agencies.

5. Leadership of the SEND team

• Line‑manage teaching assistants and other SEND support staff.
• Plan and deliver SEND-related CPD and coaching.
• Oversee SEND systems such as provision mapping, transitions, reasonable adjustments, and parent forums.

I have undertaken the role of pastoral lead since April 2024. These are the areas that I have supported in.

· Facilitated programmes to enhance pupils’ wellbeing and personal development.

· Addressing emotional, social, and behavioural challenges with pupils

· Monitor and improve attendance of pupils, organising and reviewing attendance plans

· Delivered immediate support during crises to help pupils regain stability. and de-escalation for dysregulated pupils

· Coordinated specific support initiatives tailored to individual pupil needs.

· Working closely with teachers, families, and external agencies

· Conducted Family Help meetings to collaboratively address pupil needs and family concerns, fostering stronger home-school partnerships.

I am one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads at the school, where I:

· Attend regular meetings

· Triage and assess concerns

· Handle delegated safeguarding duties

· Manage disclosures

· Recording and tracking concerns

· Supporting early help processes

· Liaising with staff and external agencies

· Complete safeguarding referrals when needed

I am the line manager for the Teaching Assistants. I complete:

· Staff deployment — Allocate TAs to classes, interventions, and duties based on pupil needs and staff strengths.

· Performance management — Conduct appraisals, set objectives, monitor progress, and provide constructive feedback.

· Day‑to‑day supervision — Check in regularly, ensure clarity of expectations, and support workload management.

· Quality assurance — Observe practice, review intervention impact, and ensure consistency in SEND and classroom support.

· Training & CPD — Identify development needs, arrange training (e.g., safeguarding, behaviour, SEND strategies), and coach staff.

· Communication — Ensure TAs receive key information from teachers, SENDCo, and leadership; facilitate smooth team communication.

· Support with behaviour — Guide TAs in de-escalation, positive behaviour strategies, and consistent implementation of policies.

· Safeguarding oversight — Ensure TAs understand reporting procedures, thresholds, and confidentiality expectations.

· Attendance & punctuality — Monitor attendance, manage absence reporting, and arrange cover when needed.

• Acted as SENDCO, coordinating support for special educational needs learners.
• Taught Year 4 and Reception, planning engaging lessons and managing daily routines to facilitate effective learning.
• Led English teaching across Reception and Year 4, covering curriculum objectives.
• Engaged with parents and guardians during parent-teacher meetings to discuss student progress and concerns.
• Oversaw student behaviour during lessons, ensuring a focused learning environment and promoting positive classroom dynamics.
• Managed classroom resources efficiently, ensuring materials were readily available for lessons.
• Participated in professional development workshops to remain current with educational best practices and pedagogical techniques.
• Organised classrooms and created displays to encourage positive learning environments.
• Oversaw student behaviour during lessons, ensuring a focused learning environment and promoting positive classroom dynamics. in assemblies and during other gatherings.

• Worked with Headteacher, staff and governors in developing, implementing and reviewing school improvement plans.
• Led curriculum development and assessment strategies, improving academic standards across the school.
• Conducted performance appraisals for teaching and support staff, identifying strengths and areas for development.
• Ensured teaching, learning and assessment policies were in place through regular assessments, making corrective actions promptly where needed.
• Performed lesson observations to measure teaching performance and provide constructive feedback.
• Implemented behaviour management policies, resulting in a noticeable decrease in classroom disruptions and incidents.
• Supported induction of newly qualified teachers, supply teachers, support staff, and student teachers.
• Coordinated with special educational needs SEN department to support inclusive education and accessibility for all students.
• Promoted an inclusive school culture, recognising and celebrating diversity among students and staff.
• Organised professional development workshops for staff, focusing on pedagogical advancements and teaching methodologies.
• Chaired meetings with parents and teachers to discuss student progress and address concerns.
• Worked with parents and staff to improve student behavioural and learning issues with proactive approaches.
• Organised school events and assemblies, fostering a sense of community and celebrating achievements.
• Taught classes for Reception, Year 2, and Year 4, delivering engaging lessons and supporting student learning.
• Subject Lead for English, Computing, SEND

• Taught mixed year groups, including Year 1 and 2, and pure year groups, focusing on individual learning needs.
• Utilised innovative teaching methods to stimulate learning and maintain high levels of pupil interest and achievement.
• Implemented reading schemes such as Phonics to improve early reading skills among pupils.
• Reinforced reading, writing, grammar and phonics using children's literature.
• Managed classroom resources efficiently, ensuring materials were readily available for lessons.
• Managed classroom resources effectively, ensuring materials were readily available and utilised efficiently for lesson delivery.
• Organised classrooms and created displays to encourage positive learning environments.
• Prepared creative teaching materials to motivate and engage students.
• Engaged with parents and guardians during parent-teacher meetings to discuss student progress and concerns.
• Established open lines of communication with parents and guardians, discussing pupil progress and strategies for improvement.
• Worked with teaching assistants by directing and delegating duties, preparing timetables and communicating individual learner needs.
• Enforced good manners through appropriate discipline and behaviour management.
• Collaborated with colleagues to plan and coordinate school events, enhancing the overall educational experience.
• Collaborated with colleagues to plan and coordinate school-wide events and thematic units.
• Organised and led field trips to enrich the curriculum and provide real-world learning opportunities.
• Participated in professional development workshops to remain current with educational best practices and pedagogical techniques.
• Supervised students in assemblies and during other gatherings. Played the piano for all assemblies, singing practices and Christmas concerts.