Assistant SENCO role… can you eventually progress into an actual SENCO?

[sv99]

What is career progression like from assistant SENCO. I have an interview for an assistant SENCO role. studying part time psychology masters at the moment so might link in. But what are the opportunities. Also I’m a primary teacher but it’s for a secondary school.

Yes you can

Will they put you through the qualification?

My assistant senco is just about to finish her NASENCO

Not sure, they said I have to prepare a 30 mins lesson, it’s for Wednesday but they still haven’t sent the details so I don’t know if I will have enough time to even prepare. It’s secondary assistant SENCO I’m a primary teacher. Does it not matter ?

There are some real advantages to being primary trained and working in secondary SEND
-thinking about core curriculum interventions etc

Before the interview I would research SEMH needs and emotional based school avoidance as these may be perceived gaps by the interview panel

The short answer is yes, but you need to know the structure of the school.

There are schools where 'assistant SENCO' is not a teaching role, but a support role undertaken by someone with a background in admin or learning support. At the other end of the scale there are assistant SENCOs who are qualified teachers and do pretty much all of the day to day SENCO work while the 'official' SENCO is more of a figurehead and has the statutory qualification. NASENCO is being retired and replaced with the new NPQ for SENCOs so if you are successful I would want a commitment from the school that they will support you through this. You might want to finish your masters first, however.