Assistant Learning Support Teacher

A very able, fully qualified and dedicated learning support teacher is required to teach pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and special educational needs. The teacher will report to the Director of Learning Support. Independent and creative thinkers (who are nevertheless willing to work within established and regulatory guidelines and structures, and to mandatory Code of Practice requirements) are especially encouraged to apply. The ability to develop learning support teaching in the areas of note-taking and essay writing for pupils whose learning difficulties make these areas a particular challenge will be a recommendation.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced practitioner who enjoys the company of bright, ambitious and well-motivated pupils and who wishes to enjoy the rich variety of work encountered in an academically successful school. Alternatively, the post may suit a specialist who is recently qualified, and wishes to take on new responsibilities and challenges, or a qualified teacher of English or History looking for a new, full- or part-time role.

Learning Support at Highgate 

At Highgate we aim to enable pupils with special educational needs or learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LDD) to achieve their full potential. We do this by working with them to enhance their learning skills and abilities; by liaising and working with their teachers to ensure the best programmes of study for each pupil; and also by liaising with outside agencies, where necessary. Pupils should thus have the greatest access to opportunities to make progress in their school work, in their programmes for examinations, and in their preparation for future study or careers.

It is our aim to provide appropriate material resources, dedicated support and suitable guidance to support pupils with LDDs who are on the learning support register and to develop a partnership with all members of the teaching staff to ensure that there is a positive approach to the learning of those pupils, and to ensure that that support is provided throughout the curriculum.

The emphasis is very much upon nurturing pupils through the curriculum. Of course some pupils attend regular one-to-one classes for as long as is necessary; but much of the work of the department involves guiding classroom subject teachers in their support of those children with LDDs, and the new appointment will enable us to expand this role. Such an approach has been embraced here by a very committed and open-minded teaching staff, which has contributed to and supported this philosophy very positively.

The Role

It is envisaged that the successful applicant may take some responsibility for Key Stages 4 and 5 pupils, in terms of both the administration of learning support and providing individual tuition to pupils, and will become one of six learning support teachers within the Highgate Foundation’s three schools, reporting to the Director of Learning Support (Foundation) based in the Senior School. The precise parameters of the post are open to discussion.

Teachers at Highgate enjoy a welcoming, comfortable and exceptionally well-resourced environment and are provided with significant assistance from a range of support staff.  Salaries are competitive.  The School pays the employer’s contribution to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. Terms are shorter than in the maintained sector. Staff have free access to the School’s sports facilities.

James Newton, Deputy Head (Academic), or Sue Bambrough, the Director of Learning Support, are very happy to answer any questions