Head of Support for Learning

We are looking to appoint a Head of Support for Learning to coordinate and deliver support to pupils throughout this co-educational, 3 – 18 school. Wellington prides itself on the quality of care that it provides for each individual pupil and the holder of this post has an important part to play in this regard. The Head of Support for Learning leads a small team of colleagues, made up of Support for Learning specialists and subject teachers from other areas. Pupils who require additional support are helped individually or in small groups, in their classes or in the Support for Learning base, in accordance with their needs and within the constraints of the available resources. The person appointed will be an appropriately qualified professional with the empathy, the knowledge and the experience needed to take responsibility for this department.

The responsibilities of the Head of Support for Learning will include:

• Coordinating and delivering educational support on a day-to-day basis to pupils throughout the school, from P1 to S6.
• Maintaining detailed records of all pupils with additional needs.
• Ensuring that all pupils with special educational needs receive the support and guidance that they need in order to realise their academic potential.
• Administering diagnostic assessments in school and advising parents where further external in-depth assessment is required.
• Liaising with teaching colleagues and members of the Senior Management Team to ensure that relevant information is shared appropriately.
• Supporting teaching colleagues throughout the school by disseminating good teaching practice in relation to pupils with particular needs.
• Working closely with the Director of Studies regarding the administration of individual Assessment Arrangements for SQA examinations.
• Liaising with external agencies and specialists as appropriate.

Wellington School is the only independent school in Ayrshire and the school roll is currently in the region of 520 (Nursery – S6). Year groups in the Senior School typically consist of approximately 50 pupils and most remain in the school until the end of S6. The majority of pupils study 8 National 5 courses in S3/S4, before going on to take 5 Higher courses in S5. Pupils in S6 choose from the wide range of Advanced Higher and Higher courses available and almost all proceed to university. Popular choices of course include Medicine, Law, Engineering and Business.

We are looking for a Support for Learning specialist with extensive experience of working with young people to achieve the best possible educational outcomes. The successful candidate will have a thorough understanding of the ways in which IT can be used to support pupils with individual learning needs and will have detailed knowledge of the SQA’s current Assessment Arrangements. The person appointed will also be familiar with current government legislation on support for learning issues. The ability to teach Psychology or another examinable subject would be welcome.

The salary for this post will be in accordance with SNJCT scales, together with a small Wellington enhancement.

Applicants should complete the school’s Job Application Form and provide a covering letter, both of which should be sent by email to vacancies@wellingtonschool.org . A CV is optional and may also be included.

The closing date for applications is Friday 20 May.