Head of Learning Development (Prep)

It is Culford’s mission to unlock the potential of every child and to develop lifelong values and a love of learning within a community that strives for excellence and nurtures compassion and resilience. We aim to be an internationally recognised independent boarding school that stands out as a leader in innovation placing a focus on nurturing the individual to fulfil their unique ambitions as global citizens contributing to a strong and sustainable future. As staff, we commit to supporting these aims within our individual roles and responsibilities.

Job title: Head of Learning Development (Prep)

Reports to: Head / Deputy Head

Salary: Culford has its own pay scale

Start date: September 2026

Closing date for applications: 20th February 2026

How to apply: Please apply by filling out a Culford application form on our website or by clicking apply on TES and including a cover letter

Role Purpose:
The Head of Learning Development leads and coordinates the provision for pupils with additional learning needs, ensuring that all pupils are supported to achieve their full academic and personal potential within a nurturing, inclusive Prep School environment.

This is a Senior Management position and in addition to the responsibilities below, involves supporting the senior team with the continued development of the Prep School.

The role of the Senior Management Team is integral to the success of the school and requires a flexible and innovative approach. SMT take the early and late supervision duties to ensure a senior member of staff is always in school and able to support staff and pupils. Senior staff are relied upon to set the example by being flexible, innovative, dynamic and resilient, stepping in as required and supporting all members of the senior teams.

The Head Learning Development reports to the Deputy Head and is directly responsible to the Head of the Prep School and has a reduced teaching timetable. In addition they are responsible for the following areas:

Essential:

• National Award for SEND Coordination.

• Specialist qualifications or training in Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or related areas.

Personnel:

• Lead, manage, and support Learning Development staff, including specialist teachers and learning support assistants.

• Provide guidance and training to teaching staff to promote best practice in learning development and inclusive education.

• Collaborate with the Senior Team, pastoral staff, and form teachers to ensure a holistic approach to pupil care.

• Contribute to staff appraisal, professional development, and recruitment within the Learning Development department, as appropriate.

Pupil Pastoral and Academic Care:

• Identify pupils with additional learning needs through screening, observation, assessment, and liaison with teaching staff and parents.

• Coordinate and oversee appropriate learning support strategies, interventions, and individual learning plans (ILPs), ensuring timely review and adaptation.

• Work closely with class teachers to advise on differentiation, reasonable adjustments, and inclusive classroom practice.

• Monitor pupil progress and wellbeing, maintaining accurate and confidential records in line with school policies and statutory requirements.

• Support pupils emotionally and pastorally, fostering confidence, independence, and self-esteem.

• Liaise with parents, guardians, and external professionals (e.g. educational psychologists, speech and language therapists) to ensure cohesive support.

• Contribute to smooth transitions between year groups and onward to senior schools, including preparation of reports and recommendations.

Other responsibilities:

• Develop and review the school’s Learning Development policy, ensuring compliance with ISI requirements and best practice guidance.

• Contribute to whole-school academic planning and strategic development.

• Manage the Learning Development budget and resources effectively.

• Prepare reports and documentation for inspections, governors, and senior leadership.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in learning support and education, engaging in relevant professional development.

• Uphold and actively promote the ethos, values, and aims of the Prep School.

• Undertake any additional duties reasonably requested by the Head in support of the wider life of the school.

• Contribute to the admissions process, including reviewing specialist reports, assessing prospective pupils, liaising with feeder schools, and advising the Head and Senior Leadership Team on the suitability of provision and the likelihood of pupils thriving within the Culford setting.

• Work closely with the Health Centre to support pupils and families undergoing diagnostic pathways or external assessments.

• Track and monitor pupil progress, working particularly with the English Department and other academic departments to identify pupils who are not reaching their full potential and to implement appropriate support.

• Support transition processes, including liaison with the Pre-Prep School & Senior School to ensure continuity of provision and effective transfer of information.

• Complete and coordinate referrals to external agencies, including educational psychologists, therapists, and other specialists, as required.

• Coordinate exam access arrangements and associated formal assessments, ensuring compliance with current regulations and deadlines.

• Liaise with Heads of Department to plan, implement, and review Wave 2 interventions, monitoring impact and effectiveness.

• Work collaboratively with Houseparent and boarding staff to ensure pupils’ learning needs are understood and supported beyond the classroom, including during prep and evening routines.

• Establish and oversee a Learning Development Prep Club, providing structured academic support

Culford School is a boarding and day school for over 850 children aged 1 to 18, set in 480 acres of beautiful Suffolk parkland, with an 18th century grade II mansion at its centre and three separate schools: the Pre-Prep & Nursery (ages 1 to 7); the Prep (ages 7 to 13); and the Senior School (ages 13 to 18).

We believe in educating the whole person to deliver a well-rounded, fulfilled individual with excellent academic results. Everything we do is informed by our firm belief that learning should be challenging, enriching and fun. Culford is a Christian school with a Methodist tradition. We see education as a transformational process that guides pupils towards academic success, clear moral values, and the development of leadership and a readiness for the world of adulthood.

Safeguarding

Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  Applicants will be required to undergo a child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Flexibility and Variation:

This job description outlines the role as it stands at the date shown. Culford School periodically reviews job descriptions to ensure they remain accurate and relevant. Changes may be made following consultation with the post holder. While the aim is to agree on reasonable changes, the School reserves the right to change the job description following consultation.

All appointments are subject to pre-employment checks to meet vetting and barring requirements. For more information about that process please refer to the application form.

As an equal opportunities employer, Culford School is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Culford School.

Culford School puts at the centre of its operation the safeguarding of the pupils of the school. There is a commitment to keep safeguarding at the forefront of every employee and volunteer’s mind. We encourage a culture of challenge, not just to act when there is a need, but also in the way we think to ensure the risks of harm to the pupils’ individual welfare are minimised.

Job applicants will undergo appropriate child protection screening and be subject to checks with previous employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Successful applicants must complete mandatory pre-employment training in safeguarding and other key areas before the commencement of employment.

Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out, references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies.

We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. If you are shortlisted, you are required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account.

If you are unsure whether you need to disclose criminal information, you should seek legal advice or you may wish to contact Nacro or Unlock for impartial advice. There is more information on filtering and protected offences on the Ministry of Justice website.

Nacro - https://www.nacro.org.uk/criminal-record-support-service/ or phone 0300 123 1999