Karnjit Birk
Bradford
Summary
A passionate, innovative experienced senior education leader who has consistently achieved excellent student outcomes for student with special educational needs through providing emotionally intelligent leadership to teams. Having a proven track record of successfully managing resources and staff to improve educational services for SEN learners, thereby providing pupils and teachers with the best environment to achieve their full potential. Possessing the required enthusiasm, vision, drive and adaptability necessary to manage a multi-disciplinary team and develop a culture of raising and maintaining excellent standards.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Inclusion Co-ordinator/SENCO
St Bedes and St Josephs Catholic College
04.2025 - Current
- Monitor, support and hold annual reviews for all EHCP learners
- Overseeing the day-to-day operation of the school's SEND policy and coordinating provision for children with SEND.
- Advising and supporting fellow teachers on identifying needs, developing suitable interventions, and ensuring effective practice for pupils with SEND
Deputy SENCO
Lightcliffe Academy
Halifax
01.2025 - 04.2025
- Arrange all access arrangement for school
- Manage and support Learning Resource Centre
- Provided a CPD training on managing students to support staff
SENCO
Beechcliffe Special School
Bradford
09.2023 - 07.2024
- Liaise with parents/carers, SEN case officers, external agencies and school staff to ensure that SEN provision is appropriate
- Monitor Education Health Care Plans for all students in school; including annual reviews and updating EHCP’s
- Provided a CPD training on completing annual reviews to all teaching staff.
SENCO
One in a Million Free School
Bradford
11.2022 - 07.2023
- Lead and manage a team of staff of HTLA’s, teaching assistants and SEN teachers.
- Liaise with parents/carers, SEN case officers, external agencies and school staff to ensure that SEN provision is appropriate
- Introduce and provide training to whole staff on Individual Education plans for all students with EHCP’s
Director of Inclusion/SENCO
Kingsmead School
London
09.2019 - 12.2020
- Lead and manage of inclusion staff and department budget and resources
- Liaise with all stakeholders to ensure that appropriate provision is made for children across all areas of the curriculum
- Undertook SEND review, introduced provision mapping and updated SEND register and additional interventions for students
Head of School
Inspire Directions School
London
01.2018 - 08.2019
- Lead a team of staff to develop new strategy for organisation and restructure of school.
- Introduced a new outreach program for learners requiring additional support.
- Developed and delivered Inset and CPD training in line with new OFSTED
Head of Pupil Referral Unit
TBAP Octagon AP Academy 4-16
London
01.2016 - 11.2017
- Led a strong multi-disciplinary staff team and cultivate strong partnerships with external stakeholders.
- Provide training to new teachers on behaviour management
- Implement all policies and procedures including teaching and learning, human resources and financial.
- Established new positive behaviour support systems leading to reduction of challenging behaviour
Assistant Head: Head of 6thForm 16-19
Treehouse School
London
04.2013 - 12.2015
- Managed multidisciplinary team of teachers, support staff, vocational specialists, speech, language and occupational therapists
- Lead PSHCE and Vocational learning and introduced new curriculum of preparing for adulthood programme
- Established new transition program and set up link with college.
- Exams co-ordinator responsible for accreditation in school and introduced new programs including AQA and ASDAN.
Behaviour Support Manager
Orchard School
Bristol
01.2010 - 03.2013
Head of PSHCE/Citizenship
St. Matthias Pupil Referral Unit
Bristol
04.2006 - 12.2009
English and History Teacher
Hanson School
Bradford
09.2005 - 04.2006
ESOL Lecturer & Assessor
Bradford Community College
Bradford
10.2005 - 03.2006
English Teacher
British Council
Peru
09.2000 - 08.2001
Humanities and ESOL Teacher
Moat Community College
Leicester
09.1999 - 08.2000
Education
PG Cert - Special Educational Needs (SENCO)
University of Edgehill
01-2021
MA - Education
University of West of England
01-2011
MA - Educational Management & Development
University of Leeds
01-2002
Post Graduate in Certificate in Education -
University of Leicester
01-1999
Certificate - Teaching English
University of Central Lancashire
01-1998
BA (Hons) - History
University of Warwick
01-1998
3 A-Levels - History, English & Media Studies
Hanson School
01-1995
8 GCSE - including Maths and English
01-1993
Skills
- Inclusion policy development
- Multi-agency collaboration
- Behavior management strategies
- Data analysis
- Team leadership
- Curriculum development
- Professional development
- Problem-solving
- Leadership
- Strategic planning
- Analytical and critical thinking
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Inclusion Co-ordinator/SENCO
St Bedes and St Josephs Catholic College
04.2025 - Current
Deputy SENCO
Lightcliffe Academy
01.2025 - 04.2025
SENCO
Beechcliffe Special School
09.2023 - 07.2024
SENCO
One in a Million Free School
11.2022 - 07.2023
Director of Inclusion/SENCO
Kingsmead School
09.2019 - 12.2020
Head of School
Inspire Directions School
01.2018 - 08.2019
Head of Pupil Referral Unit
TBAP Octagon AP Academy 4-16
01.2016 - 11.2017
Assistant Head: Head of 6thForm 16-19
Treehouse School
04.2013 - 12.2015
Behaviour Support Manager
Orchard School
01.2010 - 03.2013
Head of PSHCE/Citizenship
St. Matthias Pupil Referral Unit
04.2006 - 12.2009
ESOL Lecturer & Assessor
Bradford Community College
10.2005 - 03.2006
English and History Teacher
Hanson School
09.2005 - 04.2006
English Teacher
British Council
09.2000 - 08.2001
Humanities and ESOL Teacher
Moat Community College
09.1999 - 08.2000
PG Cert - Special Educational Needs (SENCO)
University of Edgehill
MA - Education
University of West of England
MA - Educational Management & Development
University of Leeds
Post Graduate in Certificate in Education -
University of Leicester
Certificate - Teaching English
University of Central Lancashire
BA (Hons) - History
University of Warwick
3 A-Levels - History, English & Media Studies
Hanson School