Head of Learning Support

The role

The main aim of the Learning Support Department at LAE is to try to overcome barriers to learning by concentrating on students’ strengths and learning preferences so that they can experience academic success that is in line with the rest of the cohort and improve their self-esteem and confidence. We provide low stigma, high impact support which encourages independence and improves resilience.

The Head of Learning Support is a key member of curriculum staff, attends all parents and carers’ meetings, admissions days and frequently leads whole staff CPD. Candidates will be required to have excellent communication skills and the ability to impact academic achievement in line with the A*-B targets set for AS and A level students.

LAE are looking to appoint someone with immense energy, very good organisational skills, a warm personality, a calm and good humoured outlook no matter how stressful the situation may be, and relentless optimism. This is a great opportunity for someone to come in and build on the many strengths already well established here, but also to bring in fresh ideas and new approaches.

This is a full time post but this is open to negotiation for the right candidate.

The School

London Academy of Excellence was this year named by the Sunday Times as the United Kingdom’s Sixth Form College of the Year. LAE is an ambitious, academically selective sixth form in the heart of Stratford, close to the Olympic Park and 5 minutes from Stratford Station (now zone 2/3), with its excellent links to all parts of London. LAE’s goal is to increase dramatically the number of successful applications made to top universities by young people from the Borough of Newham and other surrounding London boroughs. In January 2015 The Times named LAE as one of England’s “most sought after schools”. We are hugely oversubscribed with over 2,000 applications for 240 sixth former places in September 2015. In the same month the Prime Minister hailed LAE as an example of a school which “provided the best start for every child regardless of where they were from”, through securing “incredible results”.

What LAE can offer you:

• The opportunity to teach your subject to the highest standard to many of the most able and inquisitive young people in east London;
• Regular high-quality continuous professional development and support;
• A modern and positive learning environment minutes from the Olympic Park and Stratford Station.
•  Collaborative working with our partner schools such as Brighton College, Highgate School and Eton College.
• LAE offers a comprehensive professional development programme for all members of staff.

The curriculum
LAE has strong links with seven independent schools: Brighton College, Caterham School, City of London School for Boys, Eton College, Forest School, Highgate School and University College School.

A-levels recommended by the Russell Group universities (the “facilitating subjects”) are taught including: English Literature, Maths, Further Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, Spanish and French; as well as Psychology, Philosophy, Religion and Ethics, Economics, Mandarin,
and the Extended Project Qualification. The whole individual is developed through extra- and cocurricular activities such as sport and community service. We are preparing our sixth formers for life in modern Britain: all staff are required to actively promote fundamental British values in their interactions with sixth formers.

There are 420 sixth formers in Years 12 and 13. LAE is selective, requiring at least five A grades in GCSE (including at least B grades in English Language and Maths), and A or higher grades in the subjects being continued from GCSE into A level.

LAE was the first sixth form state school to open as part of the free school programme and represents the realisation of a vision to increase the quality of education and career opportunities available to communities in London’s Borough of Newham. In August 2015, seven out of ten sixth formers achieved A*-B A level grades. Over 100 sixth formers went on to gain places at Russell
Group universities, including the University of Oxford. LAE is now an established centre of academic excellence in East London.

How to apply

Please submit a covering letter of no more than one side of A4 together with a CV and the LAE application form, available at www.excellencelondon.ac.uk. Only applications including the LAE application form will be considered. Applications will be considered as they arrive.

If you have questions about the role or the application process, please contact James Kane, Assistant Head (Staff) at james.kane@excellencelondon.ac.uk, and he would be pleased to answer any questions them. Applications should be submitted no later than 9.00am on Tuesday, 10 May, 2016 to applications@excellencelondon.ac.uk.

The London Academy of Excellence is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.