Doing job of SLT but not SLT (and not paid for it)

[sunflowers365]

I just wanted some opinions and whether anyone is in the same boat. I work in a large primary school with high numbers of children with SEND. I’m not SENCo, my job title is SEND teacher which is a bit misleading. I do teach some groups, but I do lots of things that SENCos do such as holding annual reviews, EHCP applications, meeting outside professionals such as SaLT, OT. I deliver INSETs with colleagues and create TA trainings. I support teachers with sensitive parent meetings and advise them on how to teach and support children with SEND. I have been feeling for a while that I do the job of an assistant head, but I’m not paid as one and don’t have the job title either. Would love to hear thoughts. Thank you.

I’m a secondary HT - first of all. Does the role of SENCO exist in your school? I have a feeling if it doesn’t then they are basically employing you to essentially do the job without the pay or title.

I would have a conversation with your line manager to discuss your development and highlight to them what you do (they should already know this) and ask them about the possibility of a salary increase.

Every local primary school to me and the SENCO is SLT and I think it’s common across the country.

They might not necessarily be Assistant Head though as that is a different job role and most primaries do not have the budget for more than 1 AHT.

It's a legal requirement to have SENDCO unless I am mistaken?

Do you get a SEN allowance or a TLR. What is the senco doing?

@liquidsquidli is correct: by law every mainstream school must have a named SENCO, who must hold or be working towards the NASENCO or new NPQSENCO. Who is this person in your school? If you are the de facto SENCO then you need union advice on re-negotiating the terms of your employment. Worth saying that SENCOs aren't always paid on the leadership scale and they don't always have AHT status - some are MPS/UPS + TLR.