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Secondary Head of Department - Learning Support

Secondary Head of Department - Learning Support

ICS Inter-Community School Zurich

Zumikon, Switzerland

Salary:
good benefits and interesting terms
Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Start date:
August 2022
Apply by:
18 June 2022

Job overview

The Head of Department for Learning Support (LS) is responsible to the Secondary Principal for the leadership of teaching, learning and relevant resources for Learning Support. As such, the Head of Department leads and oversees the learning and progress for all students who currently receive, and potentially should receive, Learning Support. The Head Of Department is a member of the Secondary Head of Department Team and the Secondary Pastoral Leadership Team. The Head of Department is, accordingly, responsible for positively supporting school change as outlined in the school’s strategic plan.

A Head of Department in the Secondary School needs to demonstrate a strong commitment to the school’s shared cultural competencies, such as maintaining a collaborative ethos within the school. In addition, he/she needs to embody an understanding of the social and emotional dimensions of learning as evidenced through their practice.

Please note - this is not a standalone leadership position. Successful applicants are expected to have a teaching / support teaching component with relevance to Learning Support.


Responsibilities

  • Supporting the development and maintenance of a learner-centred approach to Learning Support.
  • Initiating and overseeing the programme of support within the LS Team as well as the development of a personalized approach to Learning Support.
  • Working with Secondary colleagues in maintaining a whole school philosophy for Learning Support.
  • Supporting the placement and transition of students for different levels of Learning Support.
  • Promoting and modelling best practice in co-teaching, a learner-centred approach and a highly collaborative approach to team-planning (within and beyond the LS team).
  • Coordinate support for colleagues, parents and students in contributing to and understanding Individual Learning Plans and Transition Plans.
  • Advocating for students who are involved in the Learning Support programme.
  • Involving all team members in the school’s strategic plan and the team’s associated goals and priorities.
  • Ensuring that all Learning Support students have plans with which to maximise their potential and effectively accommodate their individual learning profile, needs and preferences.
  • Working with the Secondary Leadership Team, the Admissions Team, the Grade 6 Grade Level Leader on the transition between Primary and Secondary, including facilitating assessments as needed.
  • Leading departmental meetings.
  • Mentoring teachers in their professional development.
  • Coordinating the co-teaching allocation in consultation with the HOD for English as an Additional Language and the HOD for Tier 4 Level Support.
  • Supporting teachers in communications with parents and students.
  • Attending and contributing to Head of Department meetings and developing concepts from these meetings with the rest of the LS team.
  • Attending and contributing to Pastoral Leadership Team meetings and developing concepts from these meetings with the rest of the LS team.
  • Coordinating and attending parent workshops as needed.
  • Planning and overseeing the LS budget.
  • Coordinating Learning Support assessment for the admissions process, which involves communicating with parents, the IB coordinators, counsellors and the Secondary Principal. Making recommendations in Open Apply based on student support needs and Secondary School Learning Support allocation.
  • Liaising with external professionals as needed to help develop a differentiated programme for students and to support teachers with understanding how best to meet the needs of Learning Support students.
  • Maintaining an up-to-date Learning Support Register and communicating regularly with teachers regarding the needs of students.
  • Working closely with the counselling, Tier 4 and EAL teams.
  • Coordinating LS support outside of lesson times and ensuring parents and students are aware of this support.
  • Keeping up-to-date with current theory and best practice in relation to Learning Support.


Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Related Masters Degree desirable.
  • A specialist, up-to-date knowledge of Learning Support.
  • A thorough understanding of IB Middle Years and IB Diploma programmes.
  • A comprehensive understanding of effective teaching and assessment strategies.
  • Practical knowledge of contemporary leadership practice.
  • Experience of the effective leadership of a team of teachers and of successfully leading the learning of Learning Support at Secondary school level.
  • Current qualification to teach Learning Support at Secondary School level.
  • Minimum 4 years recent and relevant Secondary School classroom experience.
  • Excellent English communication skills.
  • Competence in using technology for both learning and information management purposes.
  • Strong organisational skills.
  • A specialist, up-to-date knowledge of pedagogy for Learning Support.
  • A commitment to holistic, learner centred education.
  • Knowledge of the developmental needs of children of 12 - 18 years.
  • Empathy, a high degree of emotional intelligence and effective interpersonal and social skills.


Terms and conditions

The generous salary and range of benefits will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate, with the overall package reflecting the importance of the position.


Next steps

Interested candidates should email a full letter of application, a statement of personal educational philosophy, detailed resume/curriculum vitae, and three referees. The Head of school reserves the right to apply directly to the writers of open testimonials for confidential statements.


Applications should be addressed to:


Ms Mary-Lyn Campbell

Head of School


We are looking forward to receiving your online application.



Attached documents

About ICS Inter-Community School Zurich

The ICS Inter-Community School, situated in Zürich, is a mainstream, mixed gender, all-through school located in Zurich. Established in 1960, the ICS now has over 800 students from 55 nationalities.

At the Primary School level The Inter-Community School covers the following subjects; Mathematics, Reading and Writing, The Arts, and Social Studies,

At the Middle and Secondary School levels, students of the Inter-Community School study English, German, Sciences, Mathematics, French, Spanish, Performing Arts, Design, and Physical Education.

Values and Vision

The Inter-Community School teaches its students to make personal connections to their own learning process, and shows them how to build upon knowledge that they have gained previously. Students are also taught to work as individuals or in groups, teaching them valuable skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

The Inter-Community School believes that its teaching staff should always be striving to learn new methods of education in order to always provide their students with the best possible education. In addition, a high percentage of the school’s staff are International Baccalaureate workshop leaders, who’s special experience help to provide the students with an enriched experience. Teachers are expected to not only support their students academically, but also emotionally, thereby creating a supportive learning environment that keeps students highly motivated and focused.

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Applications closed