SENCO LOWER SCHOOL
(Special Education Needs Coordinator)
November 2016
The following Position Description is in addition to the requirements of any other position or other agreed
responsibilities:
POSITION
SENCO – Lower School
SUBJECT(S)
Within context of all learning areas
REPORTING TO
Associate Principal, Lower School
RESPONSIBLE TO
Principal
Associate Principal
RELATING TO
Teaching Staff
Support Staff
Therapeutic Staff and Providers
Students
Parents/Caregivers
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
The SENCO is primarily responsible for the oversight of remedial and educational support for students
in the Lower School. This includes ensuring development and delivery of a programme of learning
support for identified students, including oversight of required assessment, management of teacher
aides, and liaison with staff, parents/caregivers and outside agencies.
TAIKURA RUDOLF STEINER SCHOOL POSITION DESCRIPTION | LS SENCO
SPECIAL CHARACTER OF TAIKURA RUDOLF STEINER SCHOOL
Taikura Rudolf Steiner School is a state-integrated Waldorf school which provides education with a
Special Character in which Rudolf Steiner’s Art of Education is practiced. “The College of Teachers,
which works collegially and in a spiritual way, shares responsibility for maintaining the Special
Character of the School and the Anthroposophical impulse which are inherent in all aspects of school
life.” All staff are expected to support the special character of the school in all aspects of school life.
Taikura recognizes the importance of working with the New Zealand Curriculum and importance of
our specific culture and the context and commitments of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The fundamental characteristics of Waldorf education which inspire and shape our role as teachers
include a commitment to educate and develop the whole child towards balance and roundedness, an
understanding that the relationship between teacher and student is of primary importance and a
preparedness on the part of teachers to take on their own path of inner development, which includes
a willingness to come to grips with Rudolf Steiner’s work on child development and education.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBLITIES
The SENCO will:
 Work with colleagues in identifying students in the Class 1 – 7 in need of remedial and
educational support
 Ensure that a programme and resourcing has been put in place to work towards meeting the
needs/requirements of these students
 Work with individual/groups as per agreed referrals and recognised needs in order to improve
educational outcomes
 Receive referrals from children / students of concern
 Meet with The Extra Lesson™ Teacher and the Eurythmy Therapist to ensure children’s needs
are met.
 In conjunction with colleagues and outside providers, plan Individual Support Programmes –
IEPs, ensure the required meetings happen, and follow up with reviews as appropriate.
 Oversee ORS/HLN/IWS (Intensive wraparound services) programmes
 Refer to outside agencies and follow up:
o GSE
o RTLB - liaise with RTLB liaison
o Developmental Optometrist
o Speech/Language Therapy
o Nursing Therapy
o SPELD
 Carry out/assist agencies with assessments for referrals – RTLB, ORS, HLN etc.
 Oversee/supervise and meet with Teacher Aides
 Carry the Child Studies
 Exhibit the professional qualities of a teacher including those outlined in the current Area Schools
Teachers’ Collective Employment Agreement, Tataiako and the Practising Teaching Criteria
 Establish teacher-student relationships within context of Taikura Rudolf Steiner School
 Contribute to and participate in staff development and appraisal programmes
TAIKURA RUDOLF STEINER SCHOOL POSITION DESCRIPTION | LS SENCO

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Actively engage in broader Taikura Life including
a. Pedagogical discussions and development
b. Participate in festivals, events and special occasions at Taikura which are part of the
school’s Special Character (including some weekends and holiday time)
Undertake supervision duties as discussed with the Associate Principal
Other duties as the role demands
KEY TASKS
The Teacher will be required to fulfil the following tasks in relation to teaching and learning in general in the
school:
A. Students
 Focus first on the educational wellbeing of the students by providing a learning environment that
supports and enhances student achievement
 Effectively plan, deliver and evaluate teaching programmes which meet the needs of the
students and uphold the school’s Special Character as well as meeting the objectives of the New
Zealand curriculum as set out in the Taikura Rudolf Steiner School Policy on Teaching
Programmes
 Identify students within his/her classes with particular learning needs and requirements; and
ensure that these needs/requirements are being reasonably met. These include students who:
a. Have learning difficulties
b. Are exceptionally talented/gifted
c. Are Māori and seeking to ‘achieve as Māori’ in line with Ka Hikitia (the government’s
Māori education strategy) and with consideration of the school context
d. Require special assessment conditions for external qualifications
e. Have English as a second language
These tasks will be undertaken in conjunction with the Learning Support Coordinator, the Academic Dean,
the Class Sponsor, the Pastoral Dean or the Associate Principal
B. Parents
1. Represent the aims and intentions of Taikura Rudolf Steiner School to the parents/ whanau or
guardians of students
2. Liaise with parents/ whanau / guardians about individual student progress and achievement
3. Respond to reasonable parental requests concerning their child’s learning as appropriate (usually
through the Class Sponsor, Academic Dean or Associate Principal)
C. Department/Learning Area Staff
1. In conjunction with the Associate Principal, contribute to and support the development and
implementation of the Taikura Curriculum
2. Ensure that all records and data are up to date and stored centrally and securely
3. Meet regularly with colleagues regarding issues pertaining to:
a. Delivery of teaching and learning programmes
b. Pedagogical development across the faculty
c. Professional development and learning
TAIKURA RUDOLF STEINER SCHOOL POSITION DESCRIPTION | LS SENCO
d. Management of resources including, but not limited to, management of learning
environments as safe, clean and tidy, engaging and vibrant spaces
e. EOTC requirements within school
f. Cross-curricular applications
D. Other Staff
1. Inform Class Sponsors of student progress/ engagement and to signal any concerns about
individual student educational, emotional or physical wellbeing
2. Support colleagues across the wider school
REMUNERATION AND TENURE –LOWER SCHOOL SENCO
This position is remunerated as per the Area Schools Teachers’ Collective Agreement. The tenure of this
position is permanent, part time by negotiation.
TAIKURA RUDOLF STEINER SCHOOL POSITION DESCRIPTION | LS SENCO