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Director of Learning Support

Director of Learning Support

Highgate School

Haringey

  • Expired
Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Apply by:
21 November 2019

Job overview

A well-qualified, experienced and emotionally-literate teacher is required to support the learning of pupils aged 11-18 in the Senior School, and to take responsibility for the oversight of learning support across the three Highgate schools. The holder of the post is responsible to the Assistant Head (Teaching and Learning) and through him to the Deputy Head (Academic). 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. 

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.    


Learning Support at Highgate 

At Highgate we aim to enable all pupils and particularly those with 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

The successful applicant will manage the Learning Support Department, currently one full-time Assistant Learning Support Teacher, one Learning Support Assistant, and specialists in English and Mathematics, and will allocate pupils to them for teaching. 

The post-holder will:

• Ensure that an effective method of referral is in place, so that that pupils’ learning differences are recognised by the teaching staff and dealt with by the Learning Support department

• Keep all pupil information on SIMS up to date

• Ensure that Pupil Profiles are up to date, relevant and detailed, to be of maximum use to the teaching staff

• Give teachers practical support in lessons with pupils with particular needs and regularly to observe such pupils in lessons

• Refer pupils to be assessed by an Educational Psychologist when their learning needs suggest that this is necessary

• Screen all pupils on their arrival in the school for problems which may result from their having English as an additional language and to arrange for any help such pupils may require fully to access the curriculum

• Deal directly, and through pastoral leaders, with parents of children with LDD and to attend parents’ consultation evenings; and to act with the tutor or Head of House to provide pastoral care for such  pupils 

• Use the school’s pupil tracking data to monitor the progress of pupils with LLD and to take action as is deemed necessary

• Provide advice on learning support to other teaching staff, attending common room, departmental or individual meetings to speak about learning support matters

• Coordinate the provision of exam access arrangements such as extra time and the use of laptops in internal and external examinations and liaise with the Examinations Officer to ensure that any necessary special arrangements for public or internal examinations are notified and organised

• Keep abreast of the development of appropriate methodologies and developments in the field of LDD

• Assess the needs of pupils with recognised learning and physical disabilities when they apply to the school and to advise the Director of Admissions on the suitability of the school for the pupil, bearing in mind the reasonable adjustments which the school might make


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.

Candidates are encouraged to contact either Sue Bambrough, the Director of Learning Support, or James Newton, Deputy Head (Academic), with any queries 

Attached documents

About Highgate School

Established in 1565, Highgate is now one of the UK’s leading co-educational independent schools, with around 1,700 pupils aged 3-18.

Academic excellence

Academic standards at Highgate remain high, as our most recent exam results demonstrate. In 2023 over 50% of all our GCSE entries were graded 9, and 78.9% were 9 or 8. Within our Sixth Form, in 2023, 46.5% of all our exam entries were awarded an A* at A level (or Pre-U equivalent) and 82.8% were A* or A. In 2023, 30 pupils matriculated at either Cambridge or Oxford colleges, whilst others took up places at prestigious Art, Architecture and Medical schools. Every year, the vast majority of our leavers enter Russell Group universities or other elite Higher Education establishments, including in the US and Canada.

Beyond the classroom

Alongside their studies, Highgate pupils are offered a wide range of co-curricular activities which enhance both their childhood experience and their future aspirations. We are also exceptionally fortunate when it comes to sport with extensive facilities, excellent staff and a wide range of activities available.

At Highgate, we encourage social responsibility through our charity work, both locally and further afield. For example, we are the principal education sponsor for the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham and support Great Lakes High School in Uganda.

Location

Our School is situated in one of the most attractive and popular areas of North London, a short distance from central London and adjacent to Hampstead Heath. We endeavour to be a sustainable school and are well served by good public transport links.

Management

Our Head, Mr Adam Pettitt, leads our Senior School and is also responsible for the overall direction of our Pre-Preparatory and Junior Schools.

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Applications closed