SENCo Assistant/Learning Mentor – Barton Court Grammar School

Barton Court Academy Trust (BCAT) is a multi-academy Trust which was established in 2017.

It currently consists of three secondary schools: Barton Court Grammar School, an 11-18 years, mixed selective school in the heart of Canterbury, rated “Good” with many outstanding features by Ofsted in February 2020; The Charles Dickens School, an 11-16 years mixed non-selective school in Broadstairs, rated “Good” by Ofsted in March 2023 and Barton Manor Free School, an 11–18 years non-selective mixed school in the heart of Canterbury which opened to Year 7 in September 2022 and as the school grows now has Y7 & 8 from September 2023.

Our School

Barton Court Grammar School is an 11-18 years, selective, co-educational, grammar school close to the heart of Canterbury, Kent. The School is highly popular and has an excellent reputation in the local community and was recognised by Ofsted, in February 2020, as a “Good” school with many “Outstanding” features including Leadership & Management, Personal Development and Behaviour & Attitudes.

Barton Court Grammar School is part of Barton Court Academy Trust which is a small, yet ambitious Trust in East Kent. Currently BCAT comprises of Barton Court Grammar School, The Charles Dickens School, a non-selective school in Broadstairs and Barton Manor School, a free school that opened in September 2022. Being part of a small Trust affords us the opportunity to engage in meaningful collaboration and develop more personalised CPD for staff at all levels. Career opportunities have been enhanced for support staff, teachers and School leaders as a result of the collaboration within BCAT and a significant number of staff have secured new roles that see them having impact on staff and students alike across more than one school in our Trust.

BCGS has excellent facilities and we opened a new multi-million-pound learning facility housing state of-the-art science laboratories, new canteen facilities and 6 new Mathematics classrooms just before the pandemic.

We are very proud of our student achievements with consistently strong GCSE and A Level results and the vast majority of our students going onto secure university places. Barton Court Grammar School is an innovative and forward-thinking school. It attracts many international students Post-16, which supports our culture and ethos of developing responsible global citizens, with cultural and international awareness, who positively contribute to our school and the wider community.

Excellence in teaching and learning is at the heart of our school. In January 2023 the School was re-accredited for the third time as an Advanced Thinking School in recognition of the outstanding work we do in cognitive education. A Thinking School is “A learning community in which all members share a common language; where thinking strategies and tools are used across the curriculum and teachers and students have sound understanding of metacognition where the school generates high levels of achievement and an excitement and enthusiasm for learning” (Thinking Matters). We are extremely proud to be the only Thinking School in East Kent and one of a few Advanced Thinking Schools in the UK.

We have an ambitious curriculum with all students studying a compressed KS3 and opting at the end of Year 8 for their GCSE courses. Students take their GCSEs at the end of Year 11. An individualised learning curriculum catering for the needs of learners is in place at KS4. The School is currently looking for ways to further innovate its curriculum offer in the Sixth Form. The School offers a supportive environment where teachers, leaders and support staff are all challenged to develop and grow.

We hope your application will enhance the quality of staff we have in the school for the benefit of students and staff alike.

The Post

Required as soon as possible an experienced SENCo Assistant/Learning Mentor is sought to assist in the support and integration of students with special educational needs to enable them to fulfil their potential and assist the SENCo in administrative tasks.

The School is looking for a committed and positive individual who is a good communicator able to prioritise and be proactive and has experience of working with secondary school students.

Deadline: Friday 26th February 2024 @ 9am

How to Apply

Applications for this post should be made online only using the School’s application form. CVs will not be accepted. On the website visit the information page and click on Recruitment. Please email your application to recruitment@bartoncourt.org. If you wish to discuss this post or arrange a visit, please contact Miss Bethany Dott, HR Assistant on 01227 532140.

In line with KCSIE 2023 guidance and as part of the shortlisting process, the Trust reserves the right to conduct an online search on shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence and any relevant information found concerning a candidate’s suitability to work with children will be discussed at interview stage.

Barton Court Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application via the Disclosure & Barring Service and a check against the ISA Barred List of Children.