Richard Francis
Bedford
Summary
Experienced SENDCo/Safeguarding Officer Level 3 with a demonstrated history of working in special education and safeguarding. Proven expertise in overseeing and coordinating SEN programmes, ensuring Quality First Teaching through robust CPD, and liaising with statutory bodies to meet students' needs. Notable achievements include a 60% increase in literacy progress and a 50% rise in exam passes while serving as Teacher of Reading/Social Studies at New Day Primary & Junior High. Skilled in evidence collection, curriculum planning and delivery, classroom management, assessment and progress tracking, differentiation/adaptation, and collaboration with colleagues. Career goal: to continue building inclusive educational environments where students' skills are honed for lifelong success.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Additional Learning Support
Bedford College
05.2026 - Current
- Assisted in developing learning support provision across college.
Supported high-quality inclusive education for learners with special educational needs and disabilities.
Helped manage staff and intervention teams within additional learning support.
Facilitated inclusive teaching and learning practices.
Contributed to the oversight of learner support plans and transition processes.
Collaborated with curriculum leaders and external agencies to enhance student support.
Promoted learner independence and positive progression towards future pathways.
Participated in college-wide inclusion strategies and widening participation initiatives.
Head of SEND (Sendco)
Castle Newnham School
01.2025 - 04.2026
- As the Head of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SENDCo) at Castle Newnham Secondary School, my role is critical in ensuring that students with additional needs achieve their full potential and receive the necessary support to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
- Strategic Leadership: Develop, implement, and monitor SEND policies, ensuring compliance with the SEND Code of Practice and statutory requirements. Promote inclusive practices across the school.
- Student Support: Oversee EHCPs, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and targeted interventions. Monitor progress and adapt strategies to close attainment gaps.
- Staff training: Provide professional development for staff on inclusive teaching practices, differentiation/adaptation, and SEND legislation. Support teachers in embedding effective classroom strategies.
- Collaboration: Liaise with external agencies, such as Educational Psychologists and CAMHS, to provide specialist support. Engage parents in their child's educational journey through effective communication and guidance. Participate in Team Around the Family meetings. Liaise with senior leaders in organising Early Help Assessment and young people who are currently being Hospital Educated.
- Operational Management: Ensure accurate and secure record-keeping for all SEND processes. Manage the SEND budget effectively, allocating resources to maximise student outcomes.
- Data and reporting: Track SEND students' progress, evaluate interventions, and provide reports to school leadership and governors. Prepare for inspections, and demonstrate the impact of SEND provisions.
SENDCo/Safeguarding Officer Level 3
The Douay Martyrs Catholic Secondary School
08.2022 - 12.2024
- Head of the Faculty of SEND at the Douay Martyrs Catholic Secondary School.
- Oversaw and coordinating the SEN programme within the institution, and in charge of EAL.
- Ensured through robust CPD for teachers and that Quality First Teaching is at the heart of best practices within our school.
- Liaised with statutory bodies and outside agencies in ensuring that our students' needs are being met.
- Built a practical and 21st century SEN system where our students are not defined by their needs or disabilities but finding those skills within them that we can hone and develop so that their dreams and aspirations becomes a reality in their life time.
Teacher of Moderate Learning
Pentland Field Special Needs School
09.2021 - 08.2022
- Completed Annual Reviews in line with statutory requirement.
- Identified students learning needs and ensures that the relevant interventions are in place.
- Managed in class LSA's.
- Used effective teaching methods to assist with student development, including collaborative learning, positive reinforcement, modelling and explicit instruction.
- Maintained trusting student relationships by providing both educational and emotional support to students.
Inclusion Lead Teacher
Rosedale College
09.2015 - 08.2021
- Assisted the Senco with identifying and tracking students with Special Educational Needs.
- Supported in implementing the Assess Plan Do Review Cycle.
- Conducted CPD training of teachers and TLA's on SEND and Inclusion.
- Created personalised Plans for students on the SEND register.
- Engaged with external agencies such as Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists on SEND provision.
- Ensured that parents, teachers and support staff are aware of the needs of students on the SEND register and that there is consistency in the support provided.
- Completed Annual Reviews for students with EHCPS.
- Supported in completing referrals to external agencies such as Speech and Language and Occupational Therapy.
- Ensured quality first interventions are in placed in all the Inclusion classes.
- Monitored robust in-house procedures for reporting Child Protection concerns for vulnerable pupils.
- Supported school leaders and SENCO in reinforcing SEND and Inclusion policy.
Teacher of Reading/Social Studies
New Day Primary & Junior High
09.2006 - 08.2015
- As a Reading/English Language and Humanities teacher, I worked closely with the different Language teachers to bring students' performance rates up in the subject area and improving their reading skills.
- This had a great impact on students' grades and performance, and resulted in an increase of 60% in students' literacy progress and 50% in exam passes.
- I was also responsible for tracking pupil progress through the use of data and using this to support teachers to inform their planning and intervention.
- I established internal workshops that train teachers to use different methodologies in areas such as cooperative and collaborative learning.
- Additionally, I assisted the sports masters in preparation for various external and internal competitions, as well as I held a number of key positions within the school such as Deputy Dean of students, Treasurer of 4H Clubs, member of Environmental Club, Builders Club, Guidance Counselling Committee, Staff Representative on the Board of Governors among others.
- Prepared unit and lesson plans for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines and common core standards.
- Used effective teaching methods to assist with student development, including collaborative learning, positive reinforcement, modelling and explicit instruction.
- Established clear objectives for all lessons, units and projects to achieve universal success.
Teacher of Reading
Hayes Primary and Junior High
11.2005 - 08.2006
- Used Informal Reading Inventory to do pre and post assessment.
- Tracked of pupil progress and attainment.
- Literacy Training for Staff.
- Liaised with external agencies on literacy related matters.
- Quality assured teaching and learning of staff.
- Created personalised plans for students struggling with literacy.
- Encouraged students to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Established clear objectives for all lessons, units and projects to achieve universal success.
- Monitored progress through classwork, coursework and project marking to provide extra support for struggling students.
Education
Diploma of Higher Education - SEND
Bath Spa University
Bath, BAS01-2024
Certificate of Higher Education - NASENCO
Best Practice Network
Bristol, BST01-2024
Certificate - Emotional Literacy
London Borough of Hillingdon
London, ENG01-2022
NPQML - Middle Leadership
University College London
London, ENG01-2021
PGCE - Education
Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury, KEN01-2018
QTLS - Education
Society for Education and Training
London, ENG01-2018
Bachelors of Education - School Management and Leadership
Mico University College
Kingston, JA01-2012
Diploma of Higher Education - Reading/Social Studies
Mico Teachers College
Kingston, JA01-2005
Skills
- Evidence collection
- Access management
- Curriculum Planning and Delivery
- Assessment and Progress Tracking
- Differentiation/Adaptation
- Collaboration with Colleagues
- Classroom Management
Accomplishments
- Graduation Coordinator (First to be held in the Hillingdon Borough for Yr. 11 students)
- 60% of Inclusion students either met and achieved their targets by the end of KS3
- 90% positive improvement in Inclusion students' overall behaviour and attitude towards work
Professional Development
- 2014, Certificate (Training in Classroom Testing and Management)
- 2014, External Workshop on the New Standard Curriculum (Ministry of Education)
- 2013, Training workshop on Behavioural Management and Restorative Justice
- 2013, Workshop on the Use of Technology in Education.
Hobbies and Interests
Part of the school's mentorship program where each teacher adapts a child to mentor.
Timeline
Head of Additional Learning Support
Bedford College
05.2026 - Current
Head of SEND (Sendco)
Castle Newnham School
01.2025 - 04.2026
SENDCo/Safeguarding Officer Level 3
The Douay Martyrs Catholic Secondary School
08.2022 - 12.2024
Teacher of Moderate Learning
Pentland Field Special Needs School
09.2021 - 08.2022
Inclusion Lead Teacher
Rosedale College
09.2015 - 08.2021
Teacher of Reading/Social Studies
New Day Primary & Junior High
09.2006 - 08.2015
Teacher of Reading
Hayes Primary and Junior High
11.2005 - 08.2006
Diploma of Higher Education - SEND
Bath Spa University
Certificate of Higher Education - NASENCO
Best Practice Network
Certificate - Emotional Literacy
London Borough of Hillingdon
NPQML - Middle Leadership
University College London
PGCE - Education
Canterbury Christ Church University
QTLS - Education
Society for Education and Training
Bachelors of Education - School Management and Leadership
Mico University College
Diploma of Higher Education - Reading/Social Studies
Mico Teachers College