Combined Deputy Head Teacher & SENCO

Do you combine ambition, commitment and leadership skills with a proven track record in teaching children with EAL, SEN and speech and language difficulties? This is an outstanding opportunity to shape the success of an Alternative Education Provision (AEP) at an exciting new academy in Carlton Colville, Suffolk.      

At Catch22, we believe that all young people have the capacity to learn, regardless of their life situation - and it's our role to unlock that learning potential. We've built an impressive reputation in the alternative education sector by providing them with high quality teaching and learning based on strong, effective relationships that will, in turn, enable them to build life skills and achieve meaningful qualifications.

 Our Catch22 Multi Academies Trust is an approved Academy Sponsor, focusing on learners who can benefit from small, supportive alternative education centres.   In this multi-faceted post, you'll work closely with the Headteacher to formulate the aims, objectives and strategic plan of the new academy at secondary level. This involves responsibility for up to 50 pupils aged 9-16 who have been unable to sustain their place in mainstream education. 

As well as supporting the recruitment, training and delivery of inspirational professional development programmes for teaching staff, you'll ensure systems are in place to review the school's performance, standards and progress accurately.      In addition, you'll focus on the progression each young person makes in terms of changes to their behaviour, academic performance, ability to engage in the community and capacity to live an independent life through employment and further education. This means maintaining high standards to set them on a track of aspiration and achievement. Our curriculum is built around national requirements to ensure learners can reintegrate back into the mainstream as soon as they're ready, and ideally at the same key stage as their peers.    

 Ideally you will also lead on the strategic development, assessment and monitoring of the school's SEN policy and provision. With many pupils having social, emotional and mental health needs, you'll provide professional guidance to colleagues on SEN teaching techniques, while monitoring the progress of individual students and ensuring that any barriers to their learning are removed. You will have an appropriate SEN qualification, or be working towards it, and you'll understand the code of practice and statutory process in place for SEN students.     

With a background that includes senior or mid-level leadership in a secondary school, you must be experienced in managing change, contributing to curriculum development and evaluating student progress by employing a range of assessment techniques. You'll know what constitutes good teaching practice (particularly for SEN learners) and how to improve standards.   On a personal level, you must bring the communication skills to forge and maintain strong, appropriate professional relationships with pupils, parents, carers, governors and other community partners. We'll also be looking for an energetic, flexible approach and the capacity to cope with emotionally demanding situations. But above all, you'll need to share our passion to transform the future prospects of vulnerable young people.       

 Please see attached job description for full details of the role. If you would like to discuss this vacancy in more detail please contact Graham Payne at graham.payne@catch22mat.org.uk.