SENCo interview questions

[Bakingwithmyboys]

Has anyone got any idea of what they may be?
I've never held a leadership position before. Should I read up on the code of practice? Would you expect me to have done some SEN research before the interview?

Haven't heard if I've even got an interview yet but it's playing on my mind.

Not a teacher, but as a parent of a child with SEND, I’d be a bit 😳 if you hadn’t read at least some of the SEND COP and researched SEND.
Is this a secondary position or primary?

No idea about interview questions but I’d make sure I knew enough about the EHCP process from the school’s perspective.

And of course good luck if you do go for the job.
Do you have background in SEND which has made you interested in being a SENDCo?

You'll need to talk in detail about the things you've learnt by doing the SENCO award. You'll be expected to know the 2015 COP inside out and to have some idea about the current consultation and the way that might impact School’s by 2005.
I'd imagine there would be some sort of an in-tray task where you prioritise take that all land at the same time.
You'll be expected to talk about a variety of different interventions and approaches that you personally have used whilst working with SEN children and they'll probably expect you to have an opinion but also a working knowledge of the research.
Likewise you'll need to talk about your experiences of EHCPs , assessments and the review process. They may well give you a few EHCPs to read and ask you for your opinions on how well written they are.
They'll also ask about safeguarding and about working with parents.
It would be quite a detailed interview I think.
Good luck 😊

inside out and to have some idea about the current consultation and the way that might impact School’s by 2005.

Urgh! Sorry 2025 obviously!!

Are you a member of "The Key"? Search up SENCO questions on there. I got asked each one word for word when I interviewed.

Oh we are as a school members of the key. Thanks for that!

I can't talk about the SENco award as I'm not currently one I haven't done it yet.

Looks like I have some reading to do.
Interesting point about the EHCP'S, not sure I've actually seen one despite having children on them in my class. - guess I'll have to try and find them.

All good pointers, thank you.

Yes you should be familiar with the Code of Practice.
Yes, you should know what the EHCPs of children in your class have in them with regard to provision. You need to know what precisely they have which is additional to or different from other children in the class.
Yes, you’ll need to know the difference between a well written and a vague EHCP.
You should know about different types of SEN, Looked After Children, Pupil Premium, current thinking on working with all of them, what specialist support might be needed,
You should look at what is required in the SENCo award, how to support colleagues with provision for the children in their classes who need it.
You need to be aware of minority groups and whether they need additional resources.
You might need to know about Makaton, signing, PECS etc.
Safeguarding
Working with parents and other professionals.
In tray exercise.

Can I just ask why you are applying for a senco post when you don’t seem to have any idea what it is about. What makes you think you will be invited to interview?

Sencos are in such demand, if someone has an interest and desire to learn about SEND, why wouldn't they apply? I see SENCo ads go up each week in TES with no applicants. Everyone starts somewhere. I had not seen an EHCP before I interviewed. If you are willing to put in the work and boy there is a lot of work, good for you and welcome. Please join the SENCo forum for general advice too. Less judgy!

Can I ask what area you're in?
I'm likely to be looking for a SENCO job very soon and had thought it was quite competitive so I find this encouraging.

I'm in Surrey and secondary. Good sencos are like gold dust around here.

Ok, what is promising is that I can actually talk about a lot of these things from my own classroom practice and what I've experienced through my current school.
I guess my main thought was I've not sat down and actually read the code of practice. Which I have more time to do now as I didn't get shortlisted this time round.

My head is hoping that I can gain some more specific experience next year so I'll keep my fingers crossed for that.