Typical TLR for SENCO?

[Scatterbrainbox]

Hi,
I have just been offered the SENCO role at a new school, which I joined in September. The school is mainstream but has a 3 class ASD Resource Base. I would be teaching one of the ASD classes 0.8 of the time.

The school:
Mainstream primary
400 children on roll
This includes a 3 class Autism Resource Base and a p/t nursery
School is currently in special measures, SEND provision was absolutely slated in the OFSTED visit (Sep 2019) and there is obviously a clear expectation that this is turned around. OFSTED expected back summer term.
School has higher than average levels of SEND and disadvantaged pupils.
I know there was a strong second choice candidate ( I have worked with her and she is known to the school!!)
School is in the North of England area.

I am currently on M6 and get a basic SEN allowance in my role (class teacher and subject leader in a special school).

Before I attempt to negotiate salary, I would like to know what typical expectations would be?

Thanks!

You've got a big task ahead of you if Ofsted are due back in summer!
Retired Senco here. Similar situation as you without the resource base. I'd say you should actually be non teaching at least three days a week. There's no way you'll be able to turn round SEN without.
I was non teaching for four days, on UPS3 with a TLR2 (£4800) on top. Member of SLT.

Thanks. As it is a Resource Base class, there are 3 TAs (inc 1 HLTA) so I think I will plan the activites, and obviously be there for some of the time, but have flexibility to be out off class a fair bit. I think OFSTED are mainly looking for policies/curriculum/robust tracking/compliant website to be in place before they come back, and a robust action plan. I think that's all that's realistic for this year (the new executive head has made good inroads into this already), and look at training/monitoring/improving outcomes from Sep. The aim is to get to RI at next OFSTED visit- school has been in special measures for a while.
Id appreciate any comments on if that's realist

I have been a SENCo in a school that size. Agree as above. Definitely UPS, SLT, funding for the NASEN & out of class for as much time as humanly possible. And even then, it’s a tough job. I wouldn’t do it again.

I think that is an impossible job if you are teaching .8 of the timetable in an ASD class. And ASD children typically thrive on consistency, it's not going to do those children any favours if you are in and out of the classroom. I assume that the staffing is so high in that ASD class for a reason. I was in a school in special measues and it was blooming difficult, workload is intense. You will be run ragged and may well feel that you are constantly failing everyone as there won't be enough hours in the day to do a decent job. Whatever the salary offered it comes in a poisoned chalice. I'd be negotiating a cover role rather than being expected to carry a class.

The Senco I took over from was leading our Nurture Unit too with 4 TAs. She ended up being off with stress for 2 months. I was brought in to do purely the Senco role so she could concentrate on the NU. She had an impossible task. In the 18 months I worked there I successfully applied for 12 EHCPs, introduced APDRs, provision maps, parent workshops, developed SALT training, Dyslexia training and ASD training as well as being responsible for EAL and safeguarding plus medical needs.

I certainly wouldn’t do that role with 0.8 teaching! What about all the paper work/ assessments/ meeting parents etc etc. It’sa big role and should be treated as such. Our SENCo is an AHT so also member of SLT and certainly you should be on UPS scale.

Combining resource base lead and mainstream SENCO is almost impossible. Been there, done that! Add base needs a lot if input, lots of Annual reviews etc. What’s the % of SEN in mainstream? I’d suggest you ask for 0.6 SENCO time, 0.3 teaching time at least, if not more. Pay wise, def should be UPS + Sen, if not TLR too, but we don’t get them for anything that’s not T&L.