Head of Learning Support

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth. The school is an IB World School and offers the IB Diploma alongside A Level. 

Learning Support is a well-established and integral part of the school.  Those pupils with additional educational needs or a disability (AEND) are able to benefit from the outstanding range of opportunities available within the mainstream of the school.  The aim of the support provided in the department is to assist the pupils in being able to fulfil their potential and to help the pupils towards being able to work as independently as possible.

Teaching within the department aims to develop pupils’ independent learning skills.  Pupils may be seen one-to-one or in small groups, and lessons are usually arranged on a half-termly rotation.  The focus of the support for individual pupils is dependent on their needs but could encompass: literacy; numeracy; study skills; revision techniques; and curriculum support. Underpinning effective support is the early identification of pupils’ strengths and weaknesses through a comprehensive group screening procedure for all new entrants to the school, followed by further individual testing, where necessary.

The Head of Learning Support, with the support of the school’s leadership team, takes responsibility for the day-to-day operation of provision made by the school for pupils with additional educational needs or a disability, and provides professional guidance in the area of AEND in order to facilitate high quality teaching and the effective use of resources to bring about improved standards of achievement for all pupils.  The Head of Learning Support is responsible for managing the provision for pupils with disabilities and/or additional educational needs, ensuring that the resources within the department are best allocated for the benefit of the pupils within the school.  The Head of Learning Support is also responsible for the management of the provision for pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL).

The Head of Learning Support is responsible to the Deputy Head (Teaching and Educational Development) and should show commitment to supporting the values encompassed by the school’s development plans and policies.

The Head of Learning Support may be required to offer occasional assistance with projects in addition to their main role.

The successful applicant will be expected to contribute fully to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school.

The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure DBS check.